SAR Fundamentals/GPS practical

Authors

 * Brett Wuth

Scope

 * SAR Fundamentals Manual: Ch.13 "Navigation"
 * Basic SAR Skills Manual: Ch.7 "Navigation"

Prerequisites
Prior to this lesson, students have been introduced to the following concepts:


 * map datums
 * know the difference between NAD27 and WGS84/NAD83 and can determine which one a topographic map uses
 * are able to set the map datum on their GPS


 * UTM
 * can set their GPS to display UTM
 * can read the 3 components of a UTM from it: Zone, Easting, Northing
 * can convert a 13 digit UTM to a 6 digit UTM


 * can identify the failure modes of a GPS

Objectives
At the conclusion of this lesson Students will Advanced 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
 * 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

Time Plan
Total Time: 75 minutes

Introduce topic title

Introduce Instructor

Present Objectives

Break students up into small groups (often best for instructor to chose groups to give students opportunities to work with others)


 * Have each groups sign-out a radio, and one or more GPS (one per student if possible)
 * Assign each group a call sign
 * Do a radio test


 * Distribute GPS instructions
 * 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 (may have been given at start of course)
 * 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

Aids

 * [[PCSAR DOC-69 GPS Set Up and Maintenance
 * GPS exercise sheet with answer key
 * #1, Bench north of Firehall is no more
 * Pincher Creek Street Map (with features highlighted)
 * Pincher Creek Street Map (with features highlighted)

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

Question bank
See

License
Copyright © 2011, Brett Wuth. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 2.5 Canada License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/ca/ or send a letter to Creative Commons, 559 Nathan Abbott Way, Stanford, California 94305, USA.

Reference Material
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