Whistles are light and quite cheap. I can guarantee that they make the task of SAR folks considerably easier if you ever need assistance.

Redundancy is usually something I abhor, but whistles are a bit of an exception.

If you mean redundancy as in multiple whistles, yes, that's a good idea. On my hiking backpacks I attached a whistle on each of the main zippers. Why not? It is light, inexpensive and serves a practical purpose.

If you want inexpensive redundancy, then I recommend these fake Fox 40 whistles that are just as loud as the real thing:
http://www.amazon.com/Price-10-Pieces-Pe...4448&sr=8-2

(Do an Internet to find an even lower price elsewhere.)

I mean "redundant" as in a whistle in different locations. Example: One in my PSP, one on my key chain and one on a lanyard around my neck.

Jeanette Isabelle

When I'm hiking I have a Fox micro and a small light on a break-a-way lanyard around my neck and another whistle and small light in my PSK, so yes redundancy. However, the Fox miro whisles are under $9 for a two-pack so I sure wouldn't go for anything fake and have it not work when you needed it. A good whisle carries much futher than yelling with lots less effort. The point of mulitple items is you could get separated from your pack or even break-a-way lanyard, then you would have the whisle in the kit which hopefully is in a pocket.

I understand, but the GOGO whistle I posted is nearly indistinguishable from a Fox 40. There's nothing magical about Fox 40. You just trust the brand.

I have about ten Fox 40 whistles of different flavors. However, if I want an inexpensive whistle to attach to whatever, then I'll go with a GOGO. Also, if I give out a whistle, it won't be my Fox 40 whistle. It's almost a guarantee the whistle will be lost because I'm basically giving the whistle to somebody who doesn't fully appreciate its importance. (Otherwise, they would have brought a whistle of their own.) I don't know about you, but I literally do have to plan to give gear away. That's unavoidable for me.

I have a steel whistle on my key ring because it is bulletproof -- heavy, but close to indestructible. The louder, bulkier but not quite indestructible (polycarbonate/co-molded elastomer) Fox 40 Sharx stays in the back-pack.

When it comes to whistles, I don't particularly care if they are compact or not as the size of most whistles is small enough already.

I favor the Fox 40 whistles as I get them for free (courtesy of our local .gov) and also hand them out to others. I always carry two whistles when I am out. One around the neck on a lanyard and the second whistle is in the psk or pack as a backup.

I have the ACR,Fox 40 and the Fox Micro (from a AMK PSP) and prefer the ACR.I had an upper resperatory infection and couldn't blow effectively on either Fox whistle but the ACR I could.In a survival situation you could be stressed,paniced,tired all of which could make you sick.
To me ease of use equals two thumbs up.Additionally their shape lends them to packing well in a kit...

BOATMAN
John

Boatman -- try the Fox 40 Sharx. It has an opening like a Big Mouth Bass; getting good volume is near effortless IMO.

Tried the Sharx.Too big and to bulky for my liking.JMHO...

BOATMAN
John