For those of you who wear neck lanyards to carry a few choice pieces of gear at all times, what brand of lanyard do you prefer, and what do you carry on it?<br><br>

The one offered by LRI as an accessory to the Photon Micro Light flashlights is very nice. It has a good plastic snap-together break-away coupling to keep you from strangling and a very nice metal snap-hook for quickly attaching and detaching gear. They can be ordered individually at the LRI site and are affordable. I forget the exact price but about $4 with another $2 for shipping would probably cover it.<br><br>Otherwise you could just make one, maybe from some para cord or para cord sheath. Be sure to allow for break-away.<br><br>What you put on it is up to you. A whistle is common. A Photon, button compass, tiny knife would be good choices. A small vial if you need any critical medications. Maybe a big gold medalliion like Mr. T.<br><br>

Thanks, CastAway. <br><br>I do have my eye on that lanyard. Wanted to see what the experts here thought.<br><br>I'm currently using an old ID lanyard. I attached a Photon II, a thermometer/compass, and a British Metropolitan Bobbies' whistle. I gave my Mini Fox 40 to my wife and haven't found another one to buy yet. If I can't find one, maybe I'll get one of the flat USCG whistles. A button compass is a good idea and would save some weight. <br><br>What's your idea of a "tiny" knife? A Vic Classic, perhaps?<br><br>

My neck lanyard is a quality strip of leather weakly stitched into a loop with waxed thread. If I get hung up, the thread will tear through or snap. I don't want melting paracord on my neck. the strap makes an expediant knife strop.On the water my neck knife is a Myerchin. On horseback a small Puukoo.Guardless knives, while inherently more prone to accidental cutting, have an advantage. When your hurt, cold or working in small spaces it is EASIER to pull the knife towards you. that is why they actually taper toward the blade.The handle is for a pulling grip, and the enlarged butt makes for easier hammering or pushing . My mirror and whistle complete the assembly. These are the items I want immediate access to. Everything else goes into the pocket tins.<br><br>

I wouldn't want melting paracord on my neck, either. Ouch! I like your mirror idea. I have a small 2x3-inch StarFlash signal mirror in my kit. I may transfer it to a lanyard. What kind of whistle do you have? I'm using a British Metropolitan police whistle at the moment. I haven't been able to find another mini-Fox 40 (I gave my first one to my wife). Maybe I'll look for one of those flat USCG whistles.<br><br>

I have the STORM Whistle on my lanyard. It's bulky, but I want to be HEARD! Don't forget to make some manner of protective sleeve for your mirror. It doesn't take a lot of abuse to scratch them. Exploration Products carries the USCG approved flat whistle @ 1.50 ea. They just increased basic shipping to 7.50. So unless they send you the blue introductory order sheet with free shipping buy some gear! www.epcamps.com. I also carry an Aussie 'bullroarer'. This is a small teardrop shaped piece of wood on a string. It makes a LOUD whirring noise that carries for miles. If you saw Crocodile DundeeII one is shown in use.Do a simple search for Bullroarer. There are a handfull of shops in AUS and Ca that sell fancy versions.<br><br>

>>I haven't been able to find another mini-Fox 40 (I gave my first one to my wife). Maybe I'll look for one of those flat USCG whistles.<<<br><br>I wasn't all that impressed with the mini-Fox 40 for it's size or price- it's an awkward shape, and takes a fair amount of breath, but it does seem indestructable.<br><br>Campmor ( www.campmor.com ) has the flat ACR whistles, the ones that say "MEETS USCG REQUIREMENTS". I think they were $3. I have a couple, and they're pretty good.<br><br>Barry Schuchart at Blue Line Outfitters has a number of different types. He just got some "toy" whistles that look like the ones that come in the sardine-can survival kits, two tone, sound like a "bobby" whistle- they're even flatter than the ACR, probably not as sturdy, but they're louder and require less breath, which could be important. I'm probably going to use one in my smallest kit to save space.<br><br>Also, I cut down one of the "featherweight" mirrors that REI and Campmor sell to credit-card size for my small kit. These are very thin, and flexy like a credit card. They have a sighting hole (no grid) in the center, and are normally 4 1/4" x 3 1/8". Saves a lot of space over a thick mirror, glass or acrylic.<br><br><br>

>What's your idea of a "tiny" knife? A Vic Classic, perhaps?<<br><br>Exactly. Or maybe a Gerber micro LST or something along those lines. I wouldn't find anything heavier or larger comfortable carried that way. I'm sure others would opt for larger knives.<br><br>

You can find the Fox at athletic stores (referees buy them).<br><br>I'd recommend the Acme Tornado. Loud like Fox, flat like ACR. 3-chamber pealess. Better than ACR. Where I live there's an auto parts store called Pep Boy's that sells them under the Orion brand name as a keychain/safety whistle.<br><br>

Or you could get both the flat whistle (http://www.acrelectronics.com/ww3.htm) and a really cool-looking Survival Gear Pouch (http://www.acrelectronics.com/surv_pouch/pouch.html) from ACR Electronics (http://www.acrelectronics.com/) by visiting a dealer near you.<br><br>