By Andrew Kingdom.
Navigation is a skill that is all too often taken for granted in the outdoor and search and rescue (SAR) communities. While still a primary teaching skill, effectiveness can vary greatly depending upon the instructor, terrain of the country and, of course, technology used.
However, in 2026 we still find ourselves regularly having to return to basic navigation, even in the most basic woodblocks in the UK. It is amazing how even we can outright lose signal due to advanced technological marvels, such as being under a tree! The truth is that basic nav skills are here to stay.
One of the most basic skills we can use in navigation is one naturally available to us as humans: pacing. Need to stop at a specific place to make a turn, such as a hidden path or a new bearing? Need to confirm how far along a path you have travelled from a known point or how far approximately you have left to go? Pacing is a great tool for any navigator! In SAR, it can be used to accurately space out on a search line.
However, this method is surprisingly controversial for such a simple method among instructors, with its advocates and detractors. Some of those who do not use it have explained:
- It is not 100% accurate.
- It’s a distraction or overcomplicating the situation.
- Should be more focused on being spatially aware than focusing where we immediately are.
- I just do not like using it.
Whether you like it or not, the reality is that experience has shown it is one of the most underused navigation techniques. This article is to help share some of the best practices from my experiences teaching navigation and hopefully convert a few to try it.
What is a pace?
Let’s all take a figurative step back and verify what I mean by a pace. This is a very common misunderstanding I find when teaching new navigators how to use pacing. When you swing one leg forward, either leg, that is a step. When you swing the opposite leg forward afterwards, that is one pace. Easy!
Some readers might think that sounds obvious, but it is one of the earliest stumbling blocks for new students. I have seen students who have missed this key difference finding themselves trying to count every step, leading them to easily count over a 100, resulting in information overload and loss of confidence in their skills.
When did you last check?
We all have reason to have confidence in our training, as it is what allows us to enjoy our countryside safely. However, the line between confidence and overconfidence can be perilously thin, and pacing can be caught here. When we do our pace setting, the number we get for 100m sticks in your head, and away you go with many thinking they have no need to worry again.
However sadly, that number is not permanent; it changes as time goes on. This can vary wildly over time due to a variety of factors, including injuries; loss of fitness (my eternal enemy!); weight carried; slopes walked on; and even simple things such as tiredness, which can radically affect how accurate your pacing is. For the unwary, this is an easy pitfall!
A word to the wise is to have a check every 6 months to a year; think of it as your annual check-up on your abilities. If it does change, readjust accordingly.
Test it properly
This flaw can be made worse by not testing it correctly. A common technique some instructors use is to only measure out 50 metres and then ask the students to turn around to do the 100 metres. This is not meant as a criticism of my fellow instructors, as the reason is often practicality, such as space limitations when teaching theory. The problem, however, is that you are effectively disrupting the natural walking flow and can add several steps, leading to overshooting when on long distances.
Another mistake occurred to me during my early days of teaching navigation. I had a stretch of road which was perfect for 100 metres and had two marks on the kerb for accuracy, but how often do you walk on perfectly smooth tarmac in the outdoors? If you want to test it properly, try it on the environment you are expecting to walk in. It may not be much of a difference over 100 metres, but over longer distances, that gap rapidly becomes problematic.
Take couple paces back
Another mistake that tends to happen is literally right at the start. When you first begin to walk, your body is not in its natural rhythm as your body’s weight shifts forward. If you do not believe it, try it, and I guarantee you your first 2 steps are almost shuffles or half-steps. Best practice is to take 3-4 steps back from your start point. You will enter your natural stride and be more accurate as a result.
54, 55… err!
One of the most common problems I have seen is that people lose count on the move. It is surprisingly easy to do! It can be quite concerning when you realise you have miscounted or forgotten at night. Thankfully, there is a treasure chest of options we can use to help.
For short distances, fingers can be quite effective as quick, rapid counters or, if slightly further, in divisions of 5 or 10. However, with only 10 digits, this can only go so far (unless you count your toes!).
One of the most common methods is using pacing beads. A simple piece of shoelace or paracord with toggles or something that can slide can allow you to keep a count of every division you use. Lose count? A big benefit of this method is you know as a minimum how far you have approximately come so you can compensate in the final metres.
This method has some resistance due to equipment dangling from your kit (particularly among those from a military background), which can get caught or get in the way. Despite this, it remains the most popular method I have seen, and I count myself as one of its biggest advocates.
There are loads of different techniques for how you can keep count, all with their own strengths and limitations. Whether it be stones in a pocket, paracord, or clickers. Speak to 10 different navigators, and you will get 10 different perspectives. Do not be afraid to get creative either; you will be surprised what can be improvised. A new one from a very experienced team leader from my search team is the use of a knitting counter (thanks, Martin!).
About the size of a dice, you can thread your compass string through it and twist it to keep count with the added benefit of seeing a number rather than relying on your memory.
However, the real masters of this are the ones who can talk and count. These people, I am convinced, are superhumans! Don’t believe me? Have a walk around where you are now (maybe not in public!) and sing to yourself and try to keep count of your pacing for a minute. How long did you last?
This method is a key skill and can be a good practice recommended to trainee mountain leaders in the UK so they can talk to members of their team while maintaining an awareness of where they are. Sadly, the best way to develop this skill is, like with all things navigation, practice!
How good is your maths?
The average UK SAR volunteer knows the following situation very well. Imagine the scenario: you are awoken at 3 in the morning to go on a search; you had a rough day at work, had an argument with your other half, plus the dog has ruined the carpet. Again, is your maths going to be any good after that? I know for me, I am very lucky if I can count to 10! Now try calculating how many paces you need to find 143 metres with a pacing of 57 paces over 100 metres! (Nerd answer – The answer is approximately 82 paces.)
To overcome this, on my NNAS courses I issue the students their pacing cards. It is only a small, laminated thing, but when on the ground trying to calculate their pacing, it’s their best friend. There are those who say you should be able to do it in your head. To that I say, are we going outside to enjoy the outdoors or a maths test? Few things scare students more than trying to remember their Mathematics GCSEs or O Levels from 20+ years ago!
Not happy with your issued card, or is it gathering dust somewhere? A simple Google search will give you the formula to create your own pacing card. The back of a pacing card can also be very useful in a pinch for either as a spare note page or key information you want to remember. Mine is handy for keeping navigation formulas such as distance conversions.
Conclusion
It always amazes me how the simplest techniques like this can make the biggest difference for a navigator. Despite the debate, allow me to say, if this technique was used to help accurately measure distance by Alexander the Great’s armies, which spread from Macedonia to modern-day India, I dare say it’s good enough for navigators today!
Bio
Andrew Kingdom is an NNAS instructor for his own company, Realm Hiker, in the Thames Valley area, along with being a volunteer member and instructor with Bucks Search and Rescue.