Wanderlust World Wanderlust World For many travelers unfamiliar with local directions, the main use of a compass is to understand references. When a gas station owner tells you that the restrooms are on the north side of the building, a compass can keep you from looking silly. If Google tells you to go north on I35, a compass can send you in the right direction. Locals and map experts often give directions in terms of north, south, east and west, but these directions can be confusing if you are new to the area--the only reason you would you be asking directions--or if it is overcast and the sun and stars are not visible.
Bearing is probably the intended use of a compass when it was purchased. If you are lost but you know that there is a large lake to the south and there is a town on the western extreme of the lake, turn the compass until the red arrow points north and then find a landmark that is in the southerly direction. Walk to the landmark and repeat taking your bearings until you reach the lake, then turn west. Another way bearings are used is to keep from getting lost in the first place. When walking into the woods or desert, notice your bearings when entering, and then when coming out reverse your bearing (the other side of the compass). This also works when sailing out of sight of land. In ancient times, miners used compasses to make sure that tunnels were being dug in a straight line.
There is an easy way to use a compass to tell wind direction. Stand with your back to the wind and hold the compass in front of you at waist level. Turn the compass until the red arrow points north. The part of the compass that is nearest to your body will be the wind direction. Remember that the wind direction is not the direction the wind is flowing, it is the direction that the wind is coming from. Wind direction is a good indicator of future weather. If there is a persistent wind it probably means that the weather is going to change soon. If the wind is from the north, the weather is probably going to get colder. If the wind is from the south, the weather is probably going to get warmer.
Compasses are tiny magnets that are free to swivel. Because magnets react to many things, compasses can be used as detectors. If you are walking along and looking at a compass, you will see it suddenly change direction when you walk past a large iron deposit or a buried automobile. A compass placed next to a wire will change direction if electricity is flowing through the wire.