MR-VII
RESECTION METHOD WITH COMPASS
Type - Lecture/Practice
Training Aids
Map, Compass, service protector, GPS, Activities, Work Sheets, Assignments.
Time Plan
AIM
3. "Sometimes, in order to move forward, we must take a back bearing, retracing our
steps to understand how far we've come."
PREVIEW
4. The lecture will be conducted in the following parts: -
(a) Part I - Resection method with compass
(b) Part II - Practice exercise
PART I - RESECTION METHOD WITH COMPASS
(a) The resection method in map reading is a technique used to determine your
own position on a map by identifying and using known landmarks visible in the
terrain. This method is particularly useful when you do not know your exact
position but can see recognizable features around you. In practice we can
calculate bearing of the observer without moving to observer.
Steps in the Resection Method. Steps for resection method are as follows:-
a) Identify at least two (preferably three) prominent, identifiable landmarks or
objects on the ground.
(e.g., a hill, a tower, or a building) and find their corresponding locations on
the map.
b) The angle between these three prominent objects must not be more than 100
or less than 30 apart. These objects should be clearly visible from a distance.
c) Use a compass to measure the magnetic bearing (forward bearing) of each
landmark(object) from your current position.
d) Convert the forward magnetic bearing into Grid bearing with the help of
magnetic and grid variation given on the map.
e) Convert Grid bearing into grid back bearing by adding or subtracting 180
Degree .
f) The lines of the back bearing of these objects must be plotted on the map with
the help of service protector.
g) The point where these lines intersect indicates your approximate location. If
you use three landmarks, the intersection will form a triangle, and your
position is the centre of triangle.
h) This method is especially useful when you don’t have a direct way of me
asuring distances to the reference points, but you can see them from your
location.
Tips for Accuracy:
• Use distant, distinct landmarks to reduce errors caused by
small angle deviations.
• Ensure the compass is held steady and level when taking bearings.
• Double-check the landmarks to avoid misidentifying features.
Interesting Facts:
➢ In marine navigation, back bearings are crucial when returning to a
port or retracing a route in open water, helping sailors avoid mistakes in
direction and drift.
➢ The Resection method has been used for centuries in both land and
maritime navigation. Early explorers and surveyors relied on this technique
to pinpoint their exact location using visible landmarks.
PART II - PRACTICE EXERCISES
5. Basic Back Bearing Calculation.
Learn how to calculate a back bearing from a given compass bearing.
Instructions:
a) Choose a starting bearing, for example, 75°.
b) Add 180° to this bearing: 75° + 180° = 255°.
c) Check if the resulting bearing exceeds 360°. If it does, subtract 360° (e.g., 400°
would be reduced to 40°).
d) The back bearing for 75° is 255°.
Challenge:
Try different initial bearings like 120°, 225°, or 310° and calculate the corresponding
back bearings.
6. Using a Compass in the Field.
Practice using a compass to find a back bearing in the field.
Instructions:
a) Go outdoors with a map and a compass.
b) Pick a landmark that you can identify clearly (e.g., a mountain peak or a distant
building).
c) Take a bearing to the landmark using your compass.
d) Calculate the back bearing by adding or subtracting 180°.
e) Use the back bearing to walk in the opposite direction and see if you can return
to your starting point.
Challenge:
Try this with multiple landmarks and ensure you can accurately find your way
back.
7. Landmark Identification Using Back Bearings.
Identify your location based on back bearings from known landmarks.
Instructions:
a) Stand at an unknown location and choose two landmarks that you can see.
b) Take a bearing to each landmark.
c) Reverse the bearings (find their back bearings).
d) Using a map, plot the back bearings and identify your approximate location
where the lines intersect.
Challenge:
Increase difficulty by adding more landmarks or practicing in areas with more
complex terrain
8. Map and Compass Challenge.
Use a map and compass to practice back bearings and navigate.
Instructions:
a) On a map, mark a starting point and a destination.
b) Take the bearing from your starting point to your destination and then calculate
the back bearing.
c) Walk along the route to the destination.
d) At the destination, use the back bearing to return to your starting point.
Challenge:
Repeat the exercise with different locations and bearings, ensuring accuracy in both
directions
9. Basic Resection method with known landmarks.
Learn to determine your location (Own Position) by taking bearings from two known
landmarks.
Instructions:
a) Stand at an unknown location and identify two or more visible landmarks whose
positions are known (e.g., mountain peaks, towers, or buildings).
b) Use a compass to take a bearing of the first landmark.
c) Record the bearing and repeat the process for the all chosen landmarks. d)
Calculate the Back Bearings of all the chosen landmarks
e) On a map, plot the back bearings from each landmark.
f) The point where these lines intersect is your Own Position.
Challenge:
Try this exercise with different combinations of landmarks and vary your position
to see how the accuracy changes.
10. Identifying Terrain Features for Inspection Method.
Practice recognizing terrain features using a topographic map.
Steps:
a) Select a topographic map of an area.
b) Locate features like hills, valleys, ridges, saddles, and depressions.
c) Match these features with their contour patterns (e.g., concentric circles for hills,
U- or V-shapes for valleys).
11. Estimating Elevation.
Use contour lines to determine the elevation of specific points.
Steps:
a) Identify a starting point and a target point on the map.
b) Count the contour intervals between them.
c) Add or subtract based on the direction of travel to estimate the elevation.
12. Finding the Direction.
Determine bearings and directions using the map.
Steps:
a) Orient the map using a compass.
b) Select two points on the map.
c) Draw a line connecting the points and measure the angle using a protractor.
CONCLUSION
13. Back Bearing refers to the direction opposite to the forward bearing of a line or a
course. It is used to determine the direction back to the starting point or reference line.
Mastery of back bearings is essential for accurate and reliable navigation in both
fieldwork and map reading. Resection is a map-reading technique used to determine
one's exact position on a map by identifying known landmarks and measuring their
bearings. The compass method is one of the most common ways to perform resection.
Resection method is used in orienteering, military navigation, search and rescue
operations, and outdoor expeditions.