Class for TBSK picnic- Getting to Really Know Your GPS
Contact: Steven Henkind, ACA L4 Instructor, USCGC EAGLE Quartermaster of the Watch
Description: There is far more to using a GPS effectively than merely turning it on. For example, would you know how to use your GPS to plan a trip, stay on course, and return to your launch point? As another example, would you know how to pass your position to potential rescuers using Lat/Long or Distance/Bearing (both of which can be easily acquired from your GPS)? As yet another example, do you know the difference between reading the position in degrees/minutes/seconds as opposed to degrees/minutes/decimal minutes … and why this distinction is critical? The bottom line is that knowing how to use a GPS can help you have more fun on the water, keep you safe and, if problems do arise, can help to get you out of trouble. But, only if you know what you are doing!
In this class, we will go over fundamental principles of the GPS, how to use it for routine purposes, and how to use it to avoid emergencies … and deal with them, should they occur. This will involve both some theory and introduction, on shore, and then we will head out on the water, for a variety of drills.
Date/Location: September 22, Anclote River Park (TBSK Picnic). Depending on the weather/conditions we may, or may not, head out into the gulf.
Additional Information: Please bring a MARINE GPS (a car GPS will be destroyed if it gets wet, and nor does it have the necessary information). Ideally, everyone in the class will have their own unit, but we can pair up a few people, in case you don’t. In order to ensure adequate individual attention, I am going to need to limit this class to ten people. In addition, I may run it as an ACA class, in which case I will request that you fill out some information for the ACA roster.
IN ORDER TO MAKE THIS CLASS AS EFFECTIVE AS POSSIBLE, I AM GOING TO SEND OUT SOME PREPARATORY MATERIALS, AND “HOMEWORK,” IN ADVANCE. IT WILL BE VERY IMPORTANT TO DO THIS HOMEWORK AS IT WILL ALLOW THE CLASS TO PROCEED AT A FASTER PACE, SO THAT EVERYONE CAN GET MORE OUT OF IT.
THIS CLASS IS OPEN TO TBSK L2 AND L3 PADDLERS, ONLY. THE REASON FOR THIS IS BECAUSE WE MAY VENTURE INTO OPEN WATER AND WE WANT TO FOCUS THE CLASS ON NAVIGATION (AS OPPOSED TO AVOIDING A CAPSIZE).
Please call me (914-420-1615) or email me (steven.henkind@gmail.com) with any questions.
See the Skills Self Assessment Chart on the web site. Please register (and cancel) on the web site or RSVP to the trip leader to allow notification of any changes.
http://www.tbsk.club/resources/Documents/Skills_Assessment-_Chart_March_2017.pdf