I have a fox 40 micro tethered to the cord on my badge holder around my neck. It is advertised at 122 db, and I think I can squeeze a little more out of it. Our security guards here are trained to respond to it when I blow it continuously and repeatedly (unlike my dog back home, who comes back on one two short blasts). The sound will carry farther than my voice, is more recognizable, and will last longer than my vocal chords.

The down side is it lets the bad guys pretty much know where I am as well. Once the screeching starts, they are keen to make it stop before the guards come. Not something you use indiscriminately.

i have use my whistle on many occasions. Range from wakening people to getting the attention of a hunderd talking first year students.

I carry a modified ACME Tornado 2000. It´s for emergency signalling. So far I didn´t have to use it though. It´s pretty loud and flat enough for EDC. I might carry a Fox 40 if I could get one with reasonable effort.

In additional to the obvious “get the attention” of a group of people, potential rescuers, command signaling, pet calling, etc., it can serve as a possible deterrent to a would be attacker. Many street survival tactics include yelling, screaming and making as much commotion as possible. The use of a whistle would make the potential attacker aware that their “victim” was not going to silently be taken advantage of, without making a commotion. Also, many whistles produce a blast, that up close is quite uncomfortable to the human hearing, another possible deterrent.

Pete

I know a whistle will get people's attention much more quickly than my shouting will. A whistle will also cut through ambient noise much better than my shouting will, should I need to attract attention.

I keep a big honking Storm whistle in my car, a Fox Mini-40 on my key chain, an Ultimate Survival JetScream on my EDC neck lanyard, and a flat survival whistle in my sportcoat pocket.

-- Craig

A great question!

I like these kind of questions that make you think about your EDC gear. Am I just carrying junk I would never really use? Is it really life saving equipment? Are we just fooling ourselves that some piece of gear is useful because the experts say it is. Good stuff!

I keep the yellow Ritter Fox 40 Micro in my pocket 24/7 (package of two at Sportsman’s Warehouse for $6.50). I have never had to use it, but if I was trapped in a building or if I was attacked it would be useful. I also hike a lot and it could bring help.

I carry a full size Storm whistle in my Camelback because it is the loudest whistle made. If a whistle could help at all, the Storm is going to do the best job possible. I bought everyone in my family a Storm whistle to keep in their Camelback for the same reason.

I’d like my boys to carry a Fox 40 micro in their pockets but they will just lose them. I go to Sam’s Club with my 11 year old twins. Sometimes they need to go to the bathroom while in the store. If they want to go by themselves I make sure they have a whistle in case anyone messes with them. My wife and I don’t like to take any chances with our boys.

I have one because I can blow a whislte longer than I can yell. I carry a standard basketball referee's whistle in my hunting kit and one in the car, but never considered EDC. Already carry so much, but something to think about.

A pealess plastic whistle like the Fox40 is featherweight and besides plastic is better during a cold wave... So yes, why not carrying one.

Frankie