maps | compass | sextant | starmap | water sources | language aid | GPS survival points
Tilt your device up/down (or use slider) to measure star altitude.
A sextant measures the angle (altitude) between a celestial body and the horizon. At noon, the Sun's altitude gives latitude. At night, Polaris's altitude equals your latitude (north hemisphere). The digital simulator mimics this angle. Use the tilt or slider to get an altitude, then for Polaris enter declination 90° and click Compute Latitude. For other stars, use known declination and meridian passage. The altitude simulator can be used by pointing your device at a real star (gyroscope) to read approximate angle.
Natural indicators: Green vegetation, valleys, animal tracks, swarming insects, and birds flying low often indicate water. Look for dry riverbeds and dig in the lowest point of a bend—water may be just below surface. Morning dew can be collected with cloth. In coastal areas, you can desalinate by boiling and collecting steam. Avoid stagnant water without purification (boil or use purification tablets). Rainwater is safest.
GPS water sources above: Use coordinates to locate known rivers, lakes, and springs.
| Language | Hello | Thank You | Goodbye | Help | Friendly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mandarin (Chinese) | Nǐ hǎo | Xièxiè | Zàijiàn | Bāngmáng | Yǒuhǎo |
| French | Bonjour | Merci | Au revoir | Aide | Amical |
| Spanish | Hola | Gracias | Adiós | Ayuda | Amigable |
| Hindi | Namaste | Dhanyavaad | Alvida | Madad | Mitrata |
| German | Hallo | Danke | Auf Wiedersehen | Hilfe | Freundlich |
Look for light pollution on the horizon at night (glow from cities). Follow rivers downstream – many towns are built along rivers. Roads, power lines, and cleared areas often lead to civilization. In remote areas, smoke from fires, cultivated fields, or the sound of machinery may indicate nearby settlements. Use the compass to maintain a bearing toward known coordinates or major geographical features.
Northern Hemisphere: Locate Polaris (North Star) by following the two stars at the end of the Big Dipper's bowl. Polaris is within 1 degree of true north. Southern Hemisphere: Use the Southern Cross (Crux). Draw an imaginary line from the top of the cross to the bottom, extend it 4.5 times, and drop a line to the horizon – that marks south. For any hemisphere, remember that stars rise in the east and set in the west, rotating around the celestial pole.
Use shadows: at midday, the sun is roughly south in the northern hemisphere and north in the southern hemisphere. A stick shadow can give east-west line in the morning/evening. Always carry a backup compass (your phone may fail).