How do you find the back azimuth of a given azimuth?

To find the back azimuth of a given azimuth, you add 180 degrees to the azimuth if it is less than 180 degrees, or subtract 180 degrees if it is greater than 180 degrees. This process effectively points you in the opposite direction on a compass.

For example, if you have an azimuth of 30 degrees, adding 180 degrees gives you 210 degrees, which is the back azimuth. Conversely, if your azimuth were 200 degrees, subtracting 180 degrees would yield 20 degrees as the back azimuth. This method ensures that you correctly determine the direction that is opposite to the original bearing, which can be crucial in various navigation and search scenarios in search and rescue operations.

Understanding this concept is fundamental for SAR operations, where knowledge of directionality can significantly impact search patterns and coordination between teams.