LAND NAVIGATION AND SPATIAL AWARENESS COURSE

Open to all aged 17 and over - No previous experience required.
More than just a Map Reading Course, the X Platoon Land Navigation and Spatial Awareness Course will heighten your senses making you more observant of your immediate space and the extended area around you. You will learn to quickly examine, process and act upon information that you have sourced. You will recognise danger zones and safe zones, your capacity to observe and remember details will greatly increase. You and your colleagues will learn how to reach your destination safely and quickly.
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X Platoon instructors have an unrivalled and unparalleled experience of map reading in every corner of the world and under all climatic conditions which makes us without fear of contradiction some of the most accomplished navigators in the world. Our military service has taken us from the fields, forests and mountains of Europe, to the vast open expanses of the Sahara and Arabian deserts, from the claustrophobic jungles of Central America and Southeast Asia to the bush and savannas of Africa. We have trekked into the arctic circle and navigated the inland waterways of the Okavango Delta, our experience stretches to both land and boat operations on the open water and we have even navigated below the surface of the waves.
X Platoon unlike any other organisation promotes the importance of having spatial awareness and that by using this skill in conjunction with your ability to read a map, study the ground and understand your surroundings it will increase your brain activity and allow you to create a 3D scenario whilst navigating around with little difficulty.
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Spatial awareness is a central element of our daily lives. It helps us understand, interact and appreciate the places we live. Unfortunately, with the advent of smartphones and other technologies, many of us are forgetting there is a world around us.
The aim of the X Platoon Land Navigation and Spatial Awareness Course is to provide insight into the key aspects of map sheets and their information and how to relate them to the ground around you to better understand the topography of the land. You will be shown how to work with a compass to accurately plot bearings allowing you to successfully navigate across terrain and to safety. Map reading, land navigation and spatial awareness are vital skills that can aid in our ability to avoid dangerous ground, they also prevent us from getting lost and possibly placing ourselves in a survival situation.
COURSE CONTENT
Our course is 2 full days and 1 night and consists of practical training and navigation exercises both by day and by night. The course covers the following subjects:
Map Reading
  • Maps and map sheet information
  • Scales and distance
  • Essential map marginal information
  • Representation of relief
  • Plotting, reading and converting bearings and back bearings
  • Compasses and their uses
    • Plotting and reading grid bearings
    • Conversion of bearings
    • Grid and magnetic bearings
  • Taking bearings from a map
    • Magnetic bearings
    • Grid bearings
  • Night marching and moving on a bearing at night
Land Navigation
  • Setting a map by inspection and by compass
  • Position fixes
  • Route selection
  • Control of direction
  • Time and distance
 
Global Positioning System (GPS)
  • GPS receiver manual setup
  • Positioning and errors
  • Waypoints and entering waypoints
  • GPS navigation
Everything you need surrounds you.
You just don't know that it's there.

COURSE DETAILS

Land Navigation and Spatial Awareness Course

£125.00

The aim of the X Platoon Land Navigation and Spatial Awareness Course is to provide insight into the key aspects of map sheets and their information and how to relate them to the ground around you to better understand the topography of the land. You will be shown how to work with a compass to accurately plot bearings allowing you to successfully navigate across terrain and to safety
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Suggested Equipment
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Once you have completed your booking a full equipment list and locations map will be provided. As a minimum you will need to bring the following items: Bergan or rucksack (waterproofed), waterproof jacket and trousers, warm spare clothes, sturdy footwear (boots) torch (head torch if possible), water bottle (1 litre),an emergency blanket, a working compass and some food and snacks. The course is purely practical instruction which includes some navigational exercises both by day and by night. You should be prepared to walk at least 10-12 miles over undulating terrain in all weather conditions over the 2 days and 1 night. All mapping of local areas will be provided for you. You may wish to bring a notebook and pencil for taking down information.

Spare clothes are also required in case of wet weather and to change into upon completion of the practical exercises at the end of each day.
Course Timings
The course starts at 10am on the start date and typically finishes around 3pm on the second day.

Accomodation
As the course is run over 2 days there may be a requirement for overnight accommodation. There is the ability to camp close to the course assembly point (not an established site) should you wish to bring your own tent and cooking equipment. Alternatively X Platoon can arrange bed and breakfast accommodation in one of the local towns for you should you prefer this option and add the cost to your total invoice.

Location
A detailed locations map will be provided once your booking is confirmed but the course is conducted entirely within the North York Moors National Park. All attendees are required to make their way to the course assembly point which is a parking area located at the northern tip of Cod Beck Reservoir situated approximately 1.3 miles outside of Osmotherley village in North Yorkshire. The village of Osmotherley lies just off the A19 motorway. If you are travelling by train then the nearest mainline station is Northallerton (DL7 8AN). The train station is 8 miles from the course assembly point so it will be necessary to take a taxi the remaining few miles. The training has been designed to allow for maximum learning that is delivered with a sense of fun. ​