Course Overview
 

Please Note
All 2015 Map Reading & Navigation Courses now fully booked, Book Now for 2016 to secure your place and Save 10%

Navigation is a key skill that everyone should know. It is the skill that can prvent us becoming lost and in turn prevent putting us into a survival situation. Further more it can lead us out of many difficult positions by taking us to safety and avoiding dangerous ground.

This course is divided into three major parts, Basic theory practical, Advanced theory practical and Improvised 'Survival' theory and practical.

Why Choose Trueways?

Trueways Survival offers survival and outdoor preparation courses to suit any taste or at any level of experience. Our courses are designed to take the beginner from those very first steps all the way to training in our Global Environments Training packages. Trueways is the only Survival School in the UK with the expertise capable of and offering training anywhere in the world using only their own staff. Let our experience provide you with Real Skills for Real Situations.

Trueways survival courses offer participants the opportunity to learn and practice the skills and techniques needed to survive without the comfort and convenience of four walls and a supermarket! As well as being highly fun and rewarding, these acclaimed courses are based upon the tried and tested methodology of Trueways most senior team member – none other than bestselling SAS Survival Expert John “Lofty” Wiseman, so everything that is taught, demonstrated and explained has the highest level of authority. Lofty Wiseman's is one of the world's foremost experts on survival. His teachings, including multi-million best selling book, 'The SAS Survival Guide' is used the world over as reference by everyday people and experts alike and can be found in 18 languages.

Trueways Survival carries more years of Survival expertise than any other UK Survival school. Trueways cheif instructor Conrad Allen has served (amongst other things) - 5 years RAF Mountain Rescue Service, Royal Marines Commando and All Arms Combat Survival Instructor, SERE Officer and Conducting Sea and land survival training, basic to advanced level.
 

Course Syllabus

Mapping
What is a map ?
Types if mapping available
Map reading basics
Features displayed
Key symbols and margin information
Use of contours to show relief of land
Map care
Bring mapping up to date

Reading the map
Orienting & Setting the map
Attack points
Aiming off

Route Cards
What are Route cards and how do they work ?
Writing and Filing route cards
Leaving route cards

Grid Systems
Latitude and Longtitude
Universal Transverse Mercator - What is it and how will it help you.
Ordnance Survey

Scale and it's interpretation
Metric and Imperial systems

Compasses
Types and effective us of a compasses
Degrees and Mils
Determining location
Bearings, Back Bearings and Walking on bearings
Re-section basic and advanced
Aspect of the slope
Intervisibility

Contours
Reading of contours
Use of contours
Route selection and Cross Graining

GPS
How to use GPS correctly
The pitfalls of GPS and choosing a GPS to buy
GPS accuracy and the myths

Sketch maps
Drawing and using sketch maps
Using natural signposts for navigation
Micro navigation
 

Course Format

Classroom theory with a mix of practical lessons and summative testing.
Practical test of navigation skills
Daytime and nightime practical exercises
Be prepared to walk at least 10 miles in all weather

Kit Provided
Map of area of course and course notes

Kit Notes
Standard Trueways kit list is required for this course, however we do allow Tents and Gas Cookers on this course as we will not be teaching survival skills such as shelter building and fire lighting
Your compass must not be of the bubble type.

Course Equipment, Site Directions and Timings

Recommended Kit
A full and complete equipment list will be provided along with specific directions once your booking is confirmed. However, as a minimum you will need to bring with you some basic kit such as; Waterproof jacket & trousers, suitable footware, knife, torch, billy can or cooking pot, drinking cup/mug and a water bottle. You will also need a sleeping bag, a bivi bag and a basha or tarp. Don't worry if you haven't got everything you need, we do hire the less common stuff which is typically a lot cheaper than buying. Click HERE to check out our hire page.

Start and Finish Times
All courses start at 10am on their start date and typically finish around 4pm on the end date. Unlike some other schools a Trueways 2 Day survival course is two full days and one full night.

Food
Please do not bring any food as it will be provided for you, please let us know when you book the course if you have any dietary requirements, we can cater for all requirements as long as we know before hand.

Location
Although it is possible to reach some of our training locations by public transport, by the very nature of the courses taught there is some necessity for remoteness with regard to many sites. Therefore, for some sites a taxi may be required for the final leg of your journey if you are not traveling by road. For those travelling by road, all training locations offer parking in some form. All courses are camp based, don't worry this is not a boot camp, there are no long hikes or mountains to climb we want you to have fun and learn.
This is a woodland based level 2 course open to all.