Survival Compass – one minute survival tip

To improvise a survival compass can be done in various ways, but each require a ferrous metal object and a suspension system. The simplest way to magnetise your improvised compass needle so that it is attracted by one end to magnetic North, is to stroke it with a magnet in one direction only. If you stroke towards the point of your needle, the point will indicate North.
Lacking a magnet, you can also magnetise a needle, or similar, using a AA-battery of 1,5 volts.
You will need to identify which end of your compass points North and to mark it for easy recognition.
For accurate results, float your improvised compass needle, using paper, bark, grass etc. as a floating base on a still pool of water. Be sure to protect this compass from any wind.