Introduction to Pacing

Pacing is an essential navigation technique, especially in difficult terrain or in low visibility. In this video, you will learn about the importance of pacing, as well as how to work out your own pace count and keep track while navigating.

Measuring 100m

The simplest method of getting your 100m pace count is between the goalposts on a 100m football pitch. Not all pitches are 100m long, but you can check this on mapping apps such as Google Earth.

There is an ability in the Google Earth app to measure straight line distance. Selecting an obvious start and finish point, such as the goalposts on a sports field, you will get an <1m accurate reading.

Another way to measure out 100m is by using a GPS receiver. Bring something to mark the start and finish points, and make sure you reset the distance before you start! If you have limited space, you can use a shorter distance such as 25m and multiply your pace count to get it for 100m.

Factors Effecting Pacing

The pace count we get during this activity will be valid for flat distances. There are factors that will increase your pace count:

• Walking up hill
• Strong headwinds
• Difficult terrain such as sand, gravel or heavy undergrowth
• Adverse weather conditions such as heavy rain
• When carrying heavy weights
• In poor visibility or at night
• When you’re tired

Adjusting Count for Shorter Distances

Most of the time you will need to use pacing, it will not be for multiples of 100m. The simplest way to work out how to many paces to take is to break down our pace count is to use a simple aide memoir or pace table such as the example below:

We can also use some simple maths for more exact answers. Let’s look at this example:

• 100 meter pace count – 56
• 56 / 100 = 0.56
• Distance to travel – 450 meters
• 450 x 0.56 = 252 paces

Alternatively, you can keep the pace count whole, and divide the total distance to travel by 100. Example:

• Distance to travel – 450 meters
• 450 /100 = 4.5
• 100 meter pace count – 56
• 4.5 x 56 = 252 paces

Keeping Track

Being able to keep track of your distance is obviously very important, but with distances that may be in excess of 1,000m, we can’t count each meter or each pace. Using a set of pacing beads, either bought or improvised, you can use each bead to take note of every 100m covered, and also each 1,000m covered. All that leaves, is to count the remaining fractional distance. In our example from above, we have 450m to cover, and with a pace count of 56 per 100m, 50m would be covered in 28 paces. Tables such as the one above are best used to quickly convert distance to pace count.

End of Lesson

Hopefully you have enough information now to find your own pace count for 100m. When you get the opportunity, try counting while carrying weight, going up a hill or at night. Pacing is an essential skill that requires practice to ensure proficiency, but is simple enough that everyone in a group can keep track of your distance travelled.