How can you reduce navigational errors when using both a map and GPS simultaneously?

• A. Disable GPS and rely on map only
• B. Ignore dispatch instructions
• C. Cross-check directions with dispatch and landmarks; use one as primary while the other confirms
• D. Use both sources without cross-checking

Answer: (C)

The main idea is using multiple navigation sources in a way that keeps you aligned with the current plan while verifying your position in real time. In an EMS context, dispatch instructions provide the official, up-to-date route for the call. GPS and maps each have limits: GPS can suggest a fast route that’s blocked or temporarily unavailable, and maps can be outdated. By designating one source as the primary guide and using the other to confirm, you create a reliable cross-check: you follow the trusted primary route but validate it against landmarks and the secondary source, ensuring you’re on course.

If something doesn’t look right—different directions, a new roadblock, or a mismatch with landmarks—you pause to verify with dispatch and re-check the map or GPS, then adjust accordingly. This approach reduces navigational errors, helps you maintain situational awareness, and supports safe, timely arrival.

Relying on a map only or on GPS only increases risk of outdated information or misrouting. Ignoring dispatch instructions is unsafe, and using both sources without any cross-check can lead to conflicting directions with no clear resolution.