how do you use a compass, well, you can stare at it for awhile, or you can put a piece of metal near it and watch the needle move, gun barrels are good for this, of you can look at it and say to yourself "there is no way that is the direction i should be heading". but unless you have worked with a map and compass and have a pretty good idea what to do with them, the best way to use it would be to leave it home.