Navigation Programme - Pace Count Beads

Last week the Scouts and Explorers started a navigation course to assist them when completing expeditions. Both sections are being trained on a number of evenings in advanced navigation over the next two terms. Last week everyone completed a short test so that the leaders could assess everyone's skills in the area. This week saw a review of the results and training in the areas that were lacking.

Part of the training includes learning how to pace when out on the mountains. To aid pacing everyone - including the leaders made Pace Count Beads.

Pace count beads or ranger beads is a manual counting tool used to keep track of distance travelled through a pace count. It is used in military land navigation or orienteering.

The tool is usually constructed using a set of 13 beads on a length of cord. The beads are divided into two sections, separated by a knot. Nine beads are used in the lower section, and four or more beads are used in the upper section. There is often a loop in the upper end, making it possible to attach the tool to the user's gear with a simple Larks head hitch.

There are two ways to use the beads. One is to represent the paces the user has walked, while the other is to represent the distance walked. Both methods requires the user to know the relationship between the paces walked and the distance travelled.

As users walk, they typically slide one bead on the cord for every ten paces taken. On the tenth pace, the user slides a bead in the lower section towards the knot. After the 90th pace, all nine beads are against the knot. On the 100th pace, all nine beads in the lower section are returned away from the knot, and a bead from the upper section is slid upwards, away from the knot.

In this manner, the user calculates distance travelled by keeping track of paces taken. To use this method, the user must know the length of his pace to accurately calculate distance travelled. Also, the number of paces to be walked must be precalculated (example: 2,112 paces= one mile, based on 30 inch pace) and then the distance travelled has to be calculated from the walked paces.

For every 100 meters the user walks, one of the lower beads is pulled down. When the ninth of the lower beads is pulled, the user has walked 900 meters. When the user has walked 1000 meters, one of the upper beads is pulled down, and all the lower beads are pulled back up.

Using this method, the user must know the number of paces walked in 100 meters. An experienced user can also adapt the pace count for each hundred meters depending on the terrain. When using this method, the user does not have to calculate distance from number of paces.