I see Mr Ritter has this item (the modified version) as his "Don't Leave Home Without It".

I for some reason am unable to find where to purchase it. Perhaps a quick answer will help me

You should be able to find a Fox-40 whistle at most camping stores. Both EMS and REI carry them. The modification (filing down the extraneous plastic sides) was something you had to do yourself.

However, none of this necessary any longer. For Doug's Survival Kit from AMK, Fox developed the Fox-40 Micro which is already pretty tiny. You can get one by buying Doug's kit (highly recommended and increasingly easy to find at stores) and a few retailers sell the micro whistle individually.

There are a range of small, plastic survival whistles that are pretty loud. If you search this board, you'll find lots of discussion about pros and cons.

I see.

Yes! I have purchased Dougs Kit along with the Photon Freedom micro. So I have that wistle. I just checked and it does have a hole for a lanyard or keychain.

Now I'm looking for paracord.

Paracord is ubiquitous -- you can find it at most outdoor-oriented stores.

You should search this board for the near infinite number of threads about the different varieties and online sources of paracord. In short, you'll most likely want the "real" stuff, with seven braided nylon inner threads, which is stronger. The inner threads can also be separated and used independently if necessary.

There are a variety of lightweight ropes/string/cord that you can use for knot tying, lanyards, etc. Paracord isn't always the right choice, but it certainly is popular. (And, of course, you should never use paracord to hold your bodyweight. Buy certified UIAA climbing rope for that.)

I had some trouble finding a Fox 40 wistle locally when I was getting ready for an extended canoe trip. It was required to have a wistle to clip to your life vest for the trip. This site led me to look for a pea-less wistle. Most camping departments that I looked in did not carry a pea-less wistle. I found that the sporting goods department in most stores carry the Fox 40 for referees. Also look in the fishing/canoeing area of places like Gander Mountain, but don't waste time looking in the camping gear. The camping area only had wistles with peas.

It's worth mentioning that the problem with pea-whistles (doesn't that sound gross? <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />) is that they don't work well when wet. (The pea is the little cork ball in the whistle.)

So, that rules them out for boating and bad weather use. Fox whistles and others approved by the Coast Guard are "pea-less."

Go to google. Search for:
"550 cord" +"7 strand"

If you can't find it with those parameters, I'm going to point my fingers at you and say "he did it, he broke google". <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I'm sure everyone is familiar with the saying "You learn something new everyday" well for me it is "I learn something new with every thread"

Did not know that about the "pea" whistles - thanks

A while back, I got a couple of full size Fox-40 rescue whistles that were being sold by a mountain rescue organization (unfortunately, I don't remember the particulars). I also bought a mini Fox 40 somewhere else. I find the full size to be substatially louder and easier to use, enough so that I carry that despite the increased size.

http://www.lifeviewoutdoors.com/store/survivalgear/amk0140-0002.html

I believe this is the one your refering to. It's the same one in the Personal Survival Pak.