How to locate your Position

To make the allowance, first "take" your bearing from the map in a normal way. When you have your bearing, observe the degree reading at the index line. Allowance for declination is then made by turning the dial to increase or decrease that reading according to the declination. If the declination in your area is Easterly, decrease the dial reading by the amount of declination. If Westerly, increase the reading. For example, assume your bearing from the map is 100* as shown in Fig. 13. If the declination is 100 East, DECREASE the reading 100 by turning the dial to 900 as in fig.1. Contrarily, if the declination is 100 West, INCREASE the reading of 100 to read 110. The compass setting of 100 with allowance for 10~ Easterly \4 declination when adjusting map bearings.

Ms. Hanna guiding students on locating your position.   Students viewing rock type on map.

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 For rough compass work where accuracy is not too important, magnetic declination can be ignored, especially in areas where the declination is not great.

Declination may also be noted when the compass is used without reference to maps, so that its use is based on field bearings exclusively.

When the compass is used with a map, or in connection with map bearings, an adjustment should be made to allow for the declination. This is especially important if there is considerable declination in your area of if accuracy is quite important.