How to use the aiming off technique with your map and compass

Aiming off is an essential land navigation technique to use when your attack point is not immediately visible.

Source: This article was adapted from the Ultimate Navigation Manual, by Lyle F. Brotherton. Copyright © 2011 by Harper Collins Publishers, London, UK. All Rights Reserved. Excerpted with Expressed Written Permission. Order your copy today at www.MicroNavigation.com or www.Amazon.com.

In poor weather you can lose sight of even the largest attack point—small or subtle attack points (such as a contour change) can be missed even in the best of conditions.

The technique involves aiming at a linear feature, deliberately to one side of the attack point, then simply following it to your attack point.

Steps

1. Select your Attack Point.
2. Identify a Linear Feature such as a wall, stream or track near to the attack point.
3. Take a Bearing to one side of your attack point.
4. Calculate from the map the approximate distance from the point at which you will reach the linear feature to your attack point.
5. Walk this bearing.
6. When you reach the linear feature use it as a Handrail to find your attack point, pacing the distance.

The added advantage of flowing water (rivers, brooks, streams, etc.) is that you can also work out from the contour lines which way they are flowing, in this instance you would walk downstream. It might be worth noting that when you hit the linear feature you pace how far it is to your attack point just in case you overshoot it

The December 2013 issue of "SAR News," published by the Arizona Search and Rescue Council, Inc., is online

The December 2013 issue of SAR News, published by the Arizona Search and Rescue Council, Inc., is  online.

Mass Casualty Incident (MCI) efficiency requires more than triage tags

Good article on how to manage mass casualty incidents (MCIs) more effectively in the Journal of Emergency Medical Services:

The Sept. 12, 2008, collision between two trains in a remote area on the outskirts of Los Angeles was an "all-hands" MCI that required significant manpower and resources. This incident presents the opportunity for me to review components of MCI management that are often neglected or omitted from MCI action plans:

• Scene Management
• Communications
• Use of helicopters
• Forward Triage & Re-Triage
• Staging Vehicles and People
• Patient Transfer Teams

Read this timely article here.