Right on! I have been involved is Scouting for 8 years and I got to say this guy is the real deal. Thanks for the schooling, I will pass this on to the boys in our troop.
Brother, your vids and tips,points and knowledge gets better with each video,thank you for sharing and caring about the people, and for making sure those who play in the great outdoors can enjoy it till the end of time, and for helping those who are just weekend warriors to return home safely.
That makes understanding using a compass so much easier to understand to the lay person than reading a book or wiki on it. I paused the video to dig out my compass to follow along and now understand how to sight with it. I will go outside later and practice. Great series, thank you so very much!
First I want to say this is a fantastic series. You keep us focus on what is important without getting caught up in minutia. Second, I want to confirm for anyone seeing this that the leap frog method of sighting on an object in the distance and walking to it works very well. I worked in charge of a crew doing land surveying for over ten years. Sometimes while trying to find a land corner in the woods we would have to get a magnetic bearing and walk for anywhere from a few hundred feet to over a half a mile through thick forest. I found that using the leap frogging method worked very well in getting us to the exact place we needed to go and find the land corner.
Dave, it's been rewarding to follow the evolution of your techniques in your videos, from experimenting in your back yard a few years ago, to tv, to your new property, and to see how God has blessed you through all this. It's great to see you back to grassroots wilderness survival in this series, especially since that's a passion I share. Have you been watching my videos? I recognize that tension knot. I'm glad to see you in bright colors now! Keep it up brother.
Land navigation is an important tool for anyone who works around nature or plans on entering into it. Just the knowledge of which way should I walk can save your life. Always loving the vids Dave. God bless
Concise, informative and well presented. Dave you are my first stop when it comes to wilderness self reliance. Thank you for sharing, your continued tutelage is deeply appreciated.
I like these basic videos. There are people who need to learn this basic stuff. It is also a good refresher for those who have learned these skills years ago and may have picked up a bad ahbit, or two. I have a habit of not taking everything into the woods I should have. On a day hike, I don't normally take a dry bag, and some of the things like that. I need to change that bad habit I picked up.
This is a good introduction to orienteering. This is one thing that I feel many survival "experts" fail to go over with their viewers. Simply having a compass is not enough, you have to know how to use it.My dad and I were backpacking in the Rockies once and overnight a snow storm hit us. The next day, the trail was gone and we had to rely simply on our compass and topo map. Cool story but I sure was grateful I had learned orienteering well when I was in the Boy Scouts! Keep up the awesome vids!
Hey Dave, im not a "green freak" but i like to re-use things that other people would look at as junk. i'll wait till my dad washes the clothes and i'll take the lint tray and roll all the lint into a ball and save it as fire tender. It catches a spark easily, especially if u have a magnesium and flint rod, scrape the magnesium into the ball after made into a "birds nest", scrape the flint into the pile and it smolders after the flame goes out. just a interesting tip. thx for all your help too
“If you’re carrying a map and a compass, you shouldn’t have been lost in the first place” Dave, I love that statement. I have a feeling lots of people go out without even a simple map of the area they are going to be in. Don’t understand it. A map and compass are always with me.
Id like to thank you for all the information n skills that you continue to give for free, I thank you for your time, energy, skills, kindness, patience, knowledge, and all the time you take away from your own family to share this information. So until the next video i will wait patiently....Thank you
Great compass info Dave. First time you said needle in the doghouse I flashed back to scouts. lol And that's been quite awhile ago! I wonder if they still teach this same basic info?
Dave, i commend you on your efforts to educate, im a scoutmaster in calif,and a avid backpacker , i have learned more from your channel than any book ive read so far, your videos are great , keep up the good work!
Great information Dave! Compasses can sometimes seem like a total mystery and you cut through the BS and simplify things really well. Thanks for all you do!
Reminds me of the time I went hunting down by a buddy of mine. Forgot to bring my gloves so I bought some new ones with mitt flaps. Got to the middle of 13,000 acres and realized the magnets for holding the flaps up were throwing off my compass. Whipped 'em about 10' away then started walking in the right direction. :-) Love the vids man. Thanks for doing all you do. Gives me something to do when I can't get dirt time in, which sadly seems to be way too often.
Thank you for the basic series videos! I am practicing these techniques as I prep myself for extended travel in the National Parks/Forest along the West Coast
I was amazed at how fast lateral drift affected me while hunting. I was in a small WMA, thinking I didn't need a compass. it took me fifteen minutes before finding "another" parking lot with "another" truck that looked just like mine, but on my wrong side. I always have a button compass with me when I hunt now.
This video put's LIFE SAVING information into terms the common man can understand. I'll be the first to admit that compass and map work are one of my weak points. Brother Dave explains it in such a way that's fairly easy to understand. That's what a good teacher is supposed to do.
I really enjoy this group of videos. I personal tend to use a military style of compass and that is only because I go about land nav the way I learned in the Army but I would use this for land nav if I did not have a map on hand or if I was just trying to move to a land mark in the distance.
Great instructions, i was in longrange reconnaissance and thats how its done. I might add going around your leap frog trees first left then next time right each time switching this also helps keep your from going to your dominant side. I was point for a long time and loved it.
I've had that compass for many years now, so has by brother. Don't step on it, by brother doesn't have his anymore.... As far as capability though it rocks.
Good video! Most ppl today have no concept of even the most basic concept of a compass, yet alone how to navigate by them. Ppl always this their gps will lead them out. That is till the battery dies. Good video
Good advice. I have a Suunto compass as well. I got it as a gift maybe 10 years ago and never kept it with me because It would seem excessive on a family hike, but then we've gotten off course on unmarked trails and wished I had it. I don't mind anymore if people think I'm weird for carrying a descent kit for hiking.
awesome videos. I remember you having one about how to use a compass before a while back but i see they have been taken down, that's to bad. Glad your putting new ones up. Thanks.
Just a couple of ideas, One, Perhaps a vid on knots used during your vids, how to make a tripod with shelf, tying tarp, etc, etc, Second as a diabetic we should put at least a three day supply of prescribed meds in our first aid kit as well as a couple of Glucose tablets and some pain relief meds of various sorts, not everyone can take Tylenol or Advil or Ibuprofen, just a couple of thoughts.
Thanks for these sweet vids. And thank you for making them free to all of us. Great tips!!! You should have a TV show about your school. I know you would have my complete attention....
Another good tip is to watch out for railroad tracks. They throw the compass off. I live near the Mississippi river and the tracks run along side of the river. So whenever I felt lost. I would head toward the river. When I finally got out of all the thick foliage there was a railroad track. So, I would stop find my bearings and start walking again. Little did I know it was wrong. Long story short stay away from railroads.
Awesome video Dave...thanks for the great instruction. I would love to hear some more of your thoughts on various types of compasses, and see some more navigation instructional videos--basic navigation skills could turn a lot of would-be survival scenarios into taking "the scenic route."
I'm digging these vids Dave. I wish I had known about the Silva Ranger compass before I went out and bought one.. I've heard not so good things about it. Now I need to upgrade. Thanks for the video
great videos as always brother, i think i spent most of the downtime of my broken ankle going though and watching the yurt series. keep them coming mate. greetings from Australia
Wow...Been watching your videos for a while and never realized you are only a few counties away from me. May have to come down and check it out sometime.
I like that orange dry sack. Can't find it on your site though. Thanks for making this DVD available to all of us. Hope to see you again at the next gathering.
Dave thanks for your time and effort and all the vids. Best explanition of basic compass use for me. Could never really understand the process, but a lot clearer now. Maybe some more on compass's? Thank you.
thanks for doing this Dave i have watched every video you have ever posted and enjoyed learning everything you have taught. Still think you should write a recipe book or do some more recipe cooking vids on how you cook a squirrel, possum, porcupine, or raccoon
If you are in an unfamiliar urban area, you can note the direction that satellite T.V. dishes are pointed. They usually point south I think, at least in N. America.
Man Dave you remind me of all of my instructors in land nav. You talk like them and hold yourself in a similar fashion. I always that it was funny when people described finding a land mark and they lower the compass and hold it over their crotch while talking about walking towards that next bearing. Why is it every one does that. I know that I have even done it when explain land nav to people. Is it a military thing or are we all just sheeple and teach the same way we are taught. Great vid.
Dave, this is such a great series and this installment was particularly good and helpful. One thought, would it possible (or does the DVD have it) to look through the compass with the camera to take that bearing? I am wondering what the reflection of the compass and bezel looks like when everything is all lined up. Thanks Dave!!! Keep on, brother!
Dave great video I've heard you say in many videos that you would not trust your life to certain things would you trust your life to this compass & ps if I sent a letter to the Pathfinder store would you be able to receive it
Dave is a stand up guy, but even he gets trolls. Some people do not agree with the way he does things, I don't, well in some things anyway, but whatever that's life. Personally, I would trust Dave with me in a survival situation....and I don't say that about many people... maybe 3 or 4.
did the exact same thing u were talking about i was deer hunting and was following a powerline right of way thought it would be easy to follow back but i went what i thought was a few yards in the woods and thought i was making a circle back to my truck but i wasnt finally after about 30 mins of wandering i got ontop of a hill and looked for the dirt road but chouldnt see it finally i saw a truck driving across what i thought was a field turns out it was the road ended up a mile from my truck
Lateral drift is real af. Walk into some random woods and walk straight. You will come out where you started or a place way off from straight and be like huh?
hey Dave me and my cousin are goin camping out in the woods for 3or4days on a huntin trip all were bringing is our guns knives tent and water do ya think we need anything else to bring with us
I like this series. This is a good basic primer to compass navigation without a map. I will say that the initial shot of Dave running crazed into the woods all freaked out is not credible to the point of hilarity.
Right on! I have been involved is Scouting for 8 years and I got to say this guy is the real deal. Thanks for the schooling, I will pass this on to the boys in our troop.
Brother, your vids and tips,points and knowledge gets better with each video,thank you for sharing and caring about the people, and for making sure those who play in the great outdoors can enjoy it till the end of time, and for helping those who are just weekend warriors to return home safely.
That makes understanding using a compass so much easier to understand to the lay person than reading a book or wiki on it. I paused the video to dig out my compass to follow along and now understand how to sight with it. I will go outside later and practice. Great series, thank you so very much!
First I want to say this is a fantastic series. You keep us focus on what is important without getting caught up in minutia. Second, I want to confirm for anyone seeing this that the leap frog method of sighting on an object in the distance and walking to it works very well. I worked in charge of a crew doing land surveying for over ten years. Sometimes while trying to find a land corner in the woods we would have to get a magnetic bearing and walk for anywhere from a few hundred feet to over a half a mile through thick forest. I found that using the leap frogging method worked very well in getting us to the exact place we needed to go and find the land corner.
Dave, it's been rewarding to follow the evolution of your techniques in your videos, from experimenting in your back yard a few years ago, to tv, to your new property, and to see how God has blessed you through all this. It's great to see you back to grassroots wilderness survival in this series, especially since that's a passion I share. Have you been watching my videos? I recognize that tension knot. I'm glad to see you in bright colors now! Keep it up brother.
Land navigation is an important tool for anyone who works around nature or plans on entering into it. Just the knowledge of which way should I walk can save your life. Always loving the vids Dave. God bless
Dave thank you for sharing and caring about the people.
Thanks
Alex Habib
Concise, informative and well presented. Dave you are my first stop when it comes to wilderness self reliance. Thank you for sharing, your continued tutelage is deeply appreciated.
loving the series.
your teachings are always crisp and clear. always easy to understand.
thanks for sharing these awesome videos.
I like these basic videos. There are people who need to learn this basic stuff. It is also a good refresher for those who have learned these skills years ago and may have picked up a bad ahbit, or two.
I have a habit of not taking everything into the woods I should have. On a day hike, I don't normally take a dry bag, and some of the things like that.
I need to change that bad habit I picked up.
NEVER stop this series you rock i am lerning so much.(:
Very well explained Dave. Your video production and instruction technique (clarity) just keep getting better.
This is a good introduction to orienteering. This is one thing that I feel many survival "experts" fail to go over with their viewers. Simply having a compass is not enough, you have to know how to use it.My dad and I were backpacking in the Rockies once and overnight a snow storm hit us. The next day, the trail was gone and we had to rely simply on our compass and topo map. Cool story but I sure was grateful I had learned orienteering well when I was in the Boy Scouts! Keep up the awesome vids!
Hey Dave, im not a "green freak" but i like to re-use things that other people would look at as junk. i'll wait till my dad washes the clothes and i'll take the lint tray and roll all the lint into a ball and save it as fire tender. It catches a spark easily, especially if u have a magnesium and flint rod, scrape the magnesium into the ball after made into a "birds nest", scrape the flint into the pile and it smolders after the flame goes out. just a interesting tip. thx for all your help too
“If you’re carrying a map and a compass, you shouldn’t have been lost in the first place”
Dave, I love that statement. I have a feeling lots of people go out without even a simple map of the area they are going to be in. Don’t understand it. A map and compass are always with me.
Id like to thank you for all the information n skills that you continue to give for free, I thank you for your time, energy, skills, kindness, patience, knowledge, and all the time you take away from your own family to share this information. So until the next video i will wait patiently....Thank you
Great compass info Dave. First time you said needle in the doghouse I flashed back to scouts. lol And that's been quite awhile ago! I wonder if they still teach this same basic info?
Dave, i commend you on your efforts to educate, im a scoutmaster in calif,and a avid backpacker , i have learned more from your channel than any book ive read so far, your videos are great , keep up the good work!
Great information Dave! Compasses can sometimes seem like a total mystery and you cut through the BS and simplify things really well. Thanks for all you do!
Reminds me of the time I went hunting down by a buddy of mine. Forgot to bring my gloves so I bought some new ones with mitt flaps. Got to the middle of 13,000 acres and realized the magnets for holding the flaps up were throwing off my compass. Whipped 'em about 10' away then started walking in the right direction. :-) Love the vids man. Thanks for doing all you do. Gives me something to do when I can't get dirt time in, which sadly seems to be way too often.
Thank you for the basic series videos! I am practicing these techniques as I prep myself for extended travel in the National Parks/Forest along the West Coast
This is one of my favorite channels. I'll continue to buy from your store to support this content. Thank you.
I was amazed at how fast lateral drift affected me while hunting. I was in a small WMA, thinking I didn't need a compass. it took me fifteen minutes before finding "another" parking lot with "another" truck that looked just like mine, but on my wrong side. I always have a button compass with me when I hunt now.
This video put's LIFE SAVING information into terms the common man can understand. I'll be the first to admit that compass and map work are one of my weak points. Brother Dave explains it in such a way that's fairly easy to understand. That's what a good teacher is supposed to do.
I really enjoy this group of videos. I personal tend to use a military style of compass and that is only because I go about land nav the way I learned in the Army but I would use this for land nav if I did not have a map on hand or if I was just trying to move to a land mark in the distance.
THANKS SO SO SO MUCH FOR DOING THIS FOR US BROTHER!! This has been a true blessing to me and my fam. God Bless Brother!!
Great instructions, i was in longrange reconnaissance and thats how its done. I might add going around your leap frog trees first left then next time right each time switching this also helps keep your from going to your dominant side. I was point for a long time and loved it.
"Man you just dropped some serious knowledge", I never thought about buying a compass; now I want one. Thanks for the Big Dave.
Dave ; this is the first time I understood how to use a compass Thank you very much !
best series yet ...life saving info for the common man...thanks
The best video on using a compass I have seen in a while!
I learned something new about my compass tonight....I didn't know the magnifying glass on my MC2 could start a fire. Thanks Dave!
I've had that compass for many years now, so has by brother. Don't step on it, by brother doesn't have his anymore.... As far as capability though it rocks.
Good video! Most ppl today have no concept of even the most basic concept of a compass, yet alone how to navigate by them. Ppl always this their gps will lead them out. That is till the battery dies. Good video
Good advice. I have a Suunto compass as well. I got it as a gift maybe 10 years ago and never kept it with me because It would seem excessive on a family hike, but then we've gotten off course on unmarked trails and wished I had it. I don't mind anymore if people think I'm weird for carrying a descent kit for hiking.
Thankfully i took orienteering in rotc. I always loved it. Dave another great video my friend.
Great series. I'm really enjoying it. Thanks for all the effort and sharing all your knowledge.
awesome videos. I remember you having one about how to use a compass before a while back but i see they have been taken down, that's to bad. Glad your putting new ones up. Thanks.
Just a couple of ideas, One, Perhaps a vid on knots used during your vids, how to make a tripod with shelf, tying tarp, etc, etc, Second as a diabetic we should put at least a three day supply of prescribed meds in our first aid kit as well as a couple of Glucose tablets and some pain relief meds of various sorts, not everyone can take Tylenol or Advil or Ibuprofen, just a couple of thoughts.
Thanks for these sweet vids. And thank you for making them free to all of us. Great tips!!! You should have a TV show about your school. I know you would have my complete attention....
Yeah I agree, Suunto makes the best compasses. Even their cheapest models are made in Finland. Top notch quality
Dave, thanks for the video.
This is a good series of videos Dave, thank you.
Another good tip is to watch out for railroad tracks. They throw the compass off. I live near the Mississippi river and the tracks run along side of the river. So whenever I felt lost. I would head toward the river. When I finally got out of all the thick foliage there was a railroad track. So, I would stop find my bearings and start walking again. Little did I know it was wrong. Long story short stay away from railroads.
Awesome video Dave...thanks for the great instruction. I would love to hear some more of your thoughts on various types of compasses, and see some more navigation instructional videos--basic navigation skills could turn a lot of would-be survival scenarios into taking "the scenic route."
I'm digging these vids Dave.
I wish I had known about the Silva Ranger compass before I went out and bought one.. I've heard not so good things about it. Now I need to upgrade.
Thanks for the video
great videos as always brother, i think i spent most of the downtime of my broken ankle going though and watching the yurt series. keep them coming mate.
greetings from Australia
Very good video!!! I have always wondered what the bezel ring was for, Thanks for clearing it up and showing how to use it
Awsome videos dave thanls for all u and ur family do .. I feel more confident in my art of self reliance .. Thanks against dave ..
Honor this man.. Real bigboss
Thanks brother Dave!! I'll have to pick one up from the store now!!
That is a great technique and I saw a video from Corporal's Corner on how to use this technique also to find your desired target.
Wow...Been watching your videos for a while and never realized you are only a few counties away from me. May have to come down and check it out sometime.
very descriptive, best all around navigation video I have seen. thank you very much!
I like that orange dry sack. Can't find it on your site though. Thanks for making this DVD available to all of us. Hope to see you again at the next gathering.
Very informative and easy to understand! Thanks Dave
Dave thanks for your time and effort and all the vids. Best explanition of basic compass use for me. Could never really understand the process, but a lot clearer now. Maybe some more on compass's? Thank you.
this is an awesome video dave, ive been looking for a while for a video that made sense on using a compass, this is a great start. thank you sir.
Great timing, I'm planning a solo backpacking trip and was looking for a better compass. Thanks
thanks for doing this Dave i have watched every video you have ever posted and enjoyed learning everything you have taught. Still think you should write a recipe book or do some more recipe cooking vids on how you cook a squirrel, possum, porcupine, or raccoon
Great job Brother!! Very clear. God bless. John
Thanks for sharing this with us! Love your channel!!!!
Thanks for sharing Dave! Another great video, very well done!
Another great series, Thank you.
EXCELLENT video Dave. Very informative. all the Suunto MC-2 Compass are very good, as well as the Brunton 15TDCL Compass if anyone is interested.
this mans brilliant! my buddie goes to the pathfinders gatherings looks like i needa go sometime!
If you are in an unfamiliar urban area, you can note the direction that satellite T.V. dishes are pointed. They usually point south I think, at least in N. America.
Great survival video Dave. For future material one day. Can you go over pace counting and tools such as ranger beads in your own concept please.
Man Dave you remind me of all of my instructors in land nav. You talk like them and hold yourself in a similar fashion. I always that it was funny when people described finding a land mark and they lower the compass and hold it over their crotch while talking about walking towards that next bearing. Why is it every one does that. I know that I have even done it when explain land nav to people. Is it a military thing or are we all just sheeple and teach the same way we are taught. Great vid.
Dang bro...you is an Actor...Love it...Pathfinders Lead the Way
Part 4 Thank you Brother Dave
Great product and very good advice!
you explain lateral drift and the workings of a compass very well, thanks.
Another great video Dave god bless!!!
Great information brother! I like your teaching technique.
Dave, I like the new beginning. Looks to me like a guy lost and beginning to freak with that "its gotta be just over here" mentality.
i love all your videos keep it up awesome tips
Dave, this is such a great series and this installment was particularly good and helpful. One thought, would it possible (or does the DVD have it) to look through the compass with the camera to take that bearing? I am wondering what the reflection of the compass and bezel looks like when everything is all lined up. Thanks Dave!!! Keep on, brother!
Dave,
Your a good man. Great vid! More vids on basic land navigation, please.
Regards,
North
Thanks for teaching me for the 1st time how to read a compass.
Awsum Dave,will practice more on this type of navigation
Dave great video I've heard you say in many videos that you would not trust your life to certain things would you trust your life to this compass & ps if I sent a letter to the Pathfinder store would you be able to receive it
good ole army land navigation class. hooah!
Dave is a stand up guy, but even he gets trolls. Some people do not agree with the way he does things, I don't, well in some things anyway, but whatever that's life. Personally, I would trust Dave with me in a survival situation....and I don't say that about many people... maybe 3 or 4.
i watched alot of vidoes on trying to learn a compass. this vidoe help me understand ty.
awsome! I LOVE THIS SERIES DAVE!!! cant wait for part 5:D
i just learned how to use a compass:)!!!
thanks for the great info dave lookin forward to the next vid
Great informative primer on navigation...nice job Dave! For those interested, are their any other compasses you recomend?
did the exact same thing u were talking about i was deer hunting and was following a powerline right of way thought it would be easy to follow back but i went what i thought was a few yards in the woods and thought i was making a circle back to my truck but i wasnt finally after about 30 mins of wandering i got ontop of a hill and looked for the dirt road but chouldnt see it finally i saw a truck driving across what i thought was a field turns out it was the road ended up a mile from my truck
Lateral drift is real af. Walk into some random woods and walk straight. You will come out where you started or a place way off from straight and be like huh?
Excellent, thank you.
Good Information Dave have learned a lot from your vids thanks brother.
"Practice before you need it" ... yes mate, great stuff
Very helpful. thx for another great vid dave!
Great Vid Dave,,,,have a great weekend.!
compass it not always reliable some areas have magnetic mountains if they are large enough your compass is throw off and becomes useless
Thank you Dave
hey Dave me and my cousin are goin camping out in the woods for 3or4days on a huntin trip all were bringing is our guns knives tent and water do ya think we need anything else to bring with us
I like this series. This is a good basic primer to compass navigation without a map. I will say that the initial shot of Dave running crazed into the woods all freaked out is not credible to the point of hilarity.
Thanks Dave! Well explained bro! I´ve learned a great deal with your channel. ;)