You're going to wish you had it after you go through the time portal.



;-)

One thing I've found is that the more compact whistles might not always be a good choice for everyday carry due to their durability. I have been carrying a classic Fox 40 on my key chain for a while and while I wouldn't mind a more compact whistle, the classic's durability has kept it around.

I did have one of the Micro Safety Fox 40s on my key chain for a while, but after a month or two the plastic where the split ring goes through the whistle body came apart. I'm not sure what other compact models may have a stronger design, but that one didn't work for me. I've run into similar issues with carrying USB flash drives; the connector to the key ring has to be pretty tough to survive.

Of course I guess it all depends on how it was going to be carried or stored and how rough you are on it. I do still have a Micro Safety in a kit, but I don't carry one.

That said, you can make the classic Fox 40 a little bit slimmer by filing off the extra material from the sides (mentioned here). It is still a bit of a bigger whistle, but it's strong and the minor modification seems to help its size a little.

My player-character has the most innovative pocket size survival kit on her person, the PSP.

"'Emergency Pocket Survival Kit' from Brunton - credit card size, calling it a 'survival kit' is a misnomer." -- Doug Ritter

Jeanette Isabelle

For a long time now I have wanted to do real world experiments to compare how each model performs in the field. The goal is to order 5-10 models (two of each), separate the family by a known distance (~500m?) and do double-blind testing.
Has anybody done that yet?

I like the flat whistle sold by TOPS but if you watch you can find the exact same type of Coast Guard $5.99 whistles for a $1.00 at dive shops or even on peg board displays but you must watch and know what you are looking at.
Don't laugh to much at the Brunton Kit, your right its not but the compass does work and the cards can sometimes remind you of things you already know but have forgotten due to the stress of the moment.

Who would be traveling with just a Brunton "Survival Kit?"

Jeanette Isabelle

That's seems like a good idea. However, an issue I'm seeing is that some whistles may be preferable in certain environments, while others in different environments. For example, perhaps the higher frequency of a Fox 40 will cut through trees better, while a lower frequency of a Storm Whistle will sound louder on the open water. Perhaps a pea is preferable in certain environments. Who knows? Anyway, a comprehensive test in a wide array of different environments would be interesting to read.

Here's a testing of the Sharx Fox 40. I attended my nephews high school graduation in a gymnasium was filled with about 4,000 people. At the end, the crowd cheered so loudly that it felt right to cover your ears. At that moment, I pulled out my Sharx Fox 40 and blew it. The sound of the whistle was easily identifiable through all the noise. My nephew, who was about 200 feet away said afterward that he easily heard the whistle, and he wasn't particularly trying to hear it. By the way, using a whistle in a noisy crowd is foreseeable for survival purposes (signal a friend, prevent a crime, etc.).

Side note, I have seen many NBA referees use the traditional Fox 40 whistle (not the Sharx). Those whistles cut through the noise of the cheering crowd to be heard easily by the players. You can also hear the sound of those whistles coming through the television if you're watching at home. Well, the Sharx specifications indicate it's louder than those traditional Fox 40. If you used a Sharx to cheer at an NBA game, security would probably escort you out of the arena if you manage to stop the game. In fact, I've seen that happen to somebody who thought it would be funny. Jokes on him...LOL

I also have become a fan of this site, everything I have ordered has been very high quality and their service is outstanding.

It's more kit than most people carry.

Most of us on ETS probably don't just carry a Ritter PSK, either.

But we're abnormal. Or exceptional, depending on perspective.