The traditional snare wire has been brass. Strong enough to serve as a snare to catch food. It is plyable enough to work with the hands alone. Stainlees wire whlie stronger is not as plyable. If you have tools such as a multitool you can form the needed twists to form the sliding loop to make a snare but very hard useing just your fingers.

As for compasses using it well will only come with traing and practice. The suggestion seem tio be pointing you into good directions on how to use it properly. But the basic thing knowing north from south can keep you traveling in a relatively straight line anywhere between the two. While this may not get you to where you want to go. It will keep you going in the general direction to maybe near enough so that you can find what you want.