Preparedness Quick Tip #45: Use Your Watch as a Compass

Preparedness Quick Tip #45: Use Your Analog Watch as a Compass -- takes a little practice and isn't 100% effective, but if you've lost everything else, this can give you an approximation to get you on your way! Please read for more details @ MomwithaPREP

Preparedness Quick Tip #45: Use Your Watch as a Compass:

Besides the fact that they are just way cooler than digital watches, analog watches have another use – a survival tool!

How it works:

Simply take your watch off your arm, hold it parallel to the ground, face facing  upward. Turn until the hour hand is pointing at the sun. 1/2 way between the hour and 12 going clockwise,  in the mornings, is an indication of south. On that same line, going the opposite direction would lead you northwards. If you’re in the afternoon/evening, take that same measurement going counter clockwise.

What could possible go wrong?

This method is not 100% accurate, even less so the closer to the Tropics you get, or in high summer/winter when the sun’s position can play with the results, and assuming you’re in the Northern Hemisphere on a day not covered in clouds,  but if you’ve got no other way to figure out where north is, approximately, this is a good skill to have tried and practiced. Just remember to check often, and understand that there is no ‘true’ north or south with this method – but it can get you started along your way. There are other methods of finding your way, but you can add this to your skill set. 

You’ll also need to take in mind if you practice Daylight Savings time — just set your hour hand back an hour before taking measurements.

I always love to give you Preparedness Quick Tips that are sure hits, but this is one that you can add to the pile of ‘mights’ that takes some practice to use. When you see that family who is always walking around with their watch in their hand practicing some weird voodoo with a watch – you’ll know that’s us!

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Katy Willis is a writer, lifelong homesteader, and master herbalist, master gardener, and canine nutritionist. Katy is a preparedness expert and modern homesteader practicing everyday preparedness, sustainability, and a holistic lifestyle.

She knows how important it is to be prepared for whatever life throws at you, because you just never know what's coming. And preparedness helps you give your family the best chance to thrive in any situation.

Katy is passionate about living naturally, growing food, keeping livestock, foraging, and making and using herbal remedies. Katy is an experienced herbalist and a member of the CMA (Complementary Medical Association).

Her preparedness skills go beyond just being "ready", she's ready to survive the initial disaster, and thrive afterward, too. She grows 100% organic food on roughly 15 acres and raises goats, chickens, and ducks. She also lovingly tends her orchard, where she grows many different fruit trees. And, because she likes to know exactly what she's feeding her family, she's a seasoned from-scratch cook and gluten-free baker.

Katy teaches foraging and environmental education classes, too, including self-sufficient living, modern homesteading, seed saving, and organic vegetable gardening.

Katy helps others learn forgotten skills, including basic survival skills and self-reliance.

She's been published on sites such as MSN, Angi, Home Advisor, Family Handyman, Wealth of Geeks, Readers Digest, and more.

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