How to Make a Compass For Survival

Should you ever find yourself lost in the wilderness without a compass, you can make a quick survival compass from a few items you should have on you. Magnetizing a small piece of ferrous metal will help you to find north. Once you have one direction, you can plot a course that will take you where you need to go. Consult your compass from time to time to ensure that you have not veered off course.

Things You'll Need

  • Needle or piece of wire
  • Water
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Instructions

    • 1

      Use a needle from your sewing kit or a small piece of wire. Stroke the needle or wire in only one direction on a silky fabric eight to 10 times. If you have no such fabric, rub it in only one direction on your hair. This will polarize the metal.

    • 2

      Pour a little water into a cup or your hand and float the needle on the surface. Use a piece of cork, leaf or bark to float the needle. If you have no water, use a long hair or a piece or thread to suspend the needle, allowing it to move freely.

    • 3

      Leave the needle to move freely in the water or on the end of the string. It will orient itself in a north/south direction. You will know which way is which by looking at the sun. The sun rises in the east and sets in the west. Face in the direction the needle or wire is pointing. If it is morning and the sun is on your right, you are facing north. If it is on your left, you are facing south. The opposite applies in the afternoon. If it is cloudy or dark, you will have to wait for the sun to appear to get an accurate reading.