SAR Fundamentals/GPS practical

Revision as of 23:12, 25 November 2011 by Brett Wuth (Talk | contribs)

SAR Fundamentals Manual: Ch.13 "Navigation"

Basic SAR Skills Manual: Ch.7 "Navigation"

1.25 hr : 20:15-21:00

more material. See ~/sar/pc/training/subject/sar-fundamentals/components/subject/19-navigation-GPS

Objectives

Students will

know how to read their current location on a specific model of GPS
choose how long to wait for their current GPS location to settle
build a visual/spacial sense of how the UTM grid overlays real land
choose appropriate direction to walk to achieve intended changes to their current UTM

Advanced students will

know how to enter waypoints into their GPS
know how to get distance and bearing from their GPS
for GPS's without magnetic sensors, get a sense of how far they need to travel for the GPS to know their current heading

Review how to set up GPS
- Map Datum: NAD27 vs WGS84
- Grid system: UTM (Canada)
Review how to read UTM (Zone, Easting, Northing)
Review how to determine accuracy (e.g. 11m)
- waiting makes more accurate
Distribute maps
Have students break up into small groups
Assign each group a radio and call sign
Do a radio test
Establish a return to class time
Using the answer sheet, the instructor chooses a nearby Target Letter for row ii. All the students fill it in.
Each group randomly chooses letters for rows iii to vi. They write them in and the instructor records them on his sheet.
go outside the classroom and record the Zone, Easting, Northing and Accuracy
Review how to compare Eastings and Northings to compare relative distance and direction
as a class, walk to the UTM for the Target Letter of row ii.
locate and go to the nearest feature.
record the Feature Number, Zone, Easting, Northing and Accuracy for the feature.
Compare accuracy of exercise sheet with current accuracy. How do the 2 errors combine?
break up into assigned groups and proceed to the remaining 5 Target Letters they have chosen, find the nearest feature and record the Zone, Easting, Northing and Accuracy for the feature.
Some groups will complete early, have them do additional targets