Quick Answer
When your dead reckoning navigation fails, it means you've lost track of your position and course, likely due to an error in calculating your speed, heading, or time. To recover, re-establish a reliable method of navigation, such as using landmarks, celestial navigation, or electronic aids. If you're in an emergency situation, prioritize finding or creating a safe shelter.
Re-Establishing Navigation
If you’re unable to access electronic navigation aids, fall back on traditional methods. Start by taking a bearing on a known landmark or feature, such as a mountain peak, river, or coast. This will help you determine your general direction.
To take a bearing, use a compass to align with the landmark and note the direction-of-travel arrow on the compass dial. Record this bearing, usually in degrees, and use it to orient your map or chart. If you have a map, use it to determine your approximate location based on the bearing and any recognizable features.
Identifying Your Location
Next, use visual observation to identify any recognizable features, such as rivers, hills, or buildings. Compare these features to your map to determine your location. If you have a GPS device or a smartphone with GPS capabilities, use it to get an approximate location.
In the absence of electronic aids, use a technique called “triangulation” to determine your location. This involves taking bearings on at least two known landmarks and using the intersection of these bearings to pinpoint your location on a map.
Avoiding Further Complications
To prevent further navigation errors, take steps to ensure you have a reliable method of navigation in the future. This may involve checking and calibrating your compass, mapping out your route in advance, and carrying a backup navigation aid, such as a compass and protractor, in case your primary device fails.
Find more answers
Browse the full Q&A library by topic, or jump back to the topic this question belongs to.