This past weekend I attended the SwiftWater 1 rescue class. Everyone had Mini Fox 40 whistles on their life vests. I learned firsthand that even over the roar of the rapids, the whistles worked great for getting peoples' attention.

I realize this is not earth-shattering news, but it was quite a vivid reminder to me of the lowly whistle's utility. Don't leave home without it.

and they make great holiday gifts!

They work because people aren't used to hearing whistles. It used to be that every police officer had one, and anyone directing traffic had one. Now, the only people that routinely use them are referrees.

If you want to see how effectively they work, stand on a crowded street and blow one. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Has anyone tried listening for a whistle over the roar of a powerboat engine?
You dont hear it half the time.

which means you hear it the other half, which is better than not hearing it at all.
Obviously they are not the best for every situation, but something is better than nothing.

If I'm not mistaken, aren't powerboats racing boats? for that matter, you might not hear a whistle at a Nascar race or a major airport either, but for a survival situation in the wilderness or in a major city, I would think there would not be much of a problem. If I were buried under the rubble of a collapsed building, powerboats would be the last thing I would worry about if I had my whistle with me.

My professional experience found many powerboat operators audibly anesthetised to everything but a warning shot across the bow <img src="/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> Theres a real simple strategy for lifeboat coxswains conducting a search: you throttle back the engines and throttle up your ears <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Fox 40 whistles are great. Here's a link to a nice looking fox 40 whistle it's a bright red classic whistle with a white cross / first aid / ski patrol logo. The Alpine Mtn. ski patrol sells these on e bay to help support the ski patrol. They are very hard working volunteers who work in some very harsh
conditions.....Please purchase a whistle.....it's for a good cause and you will feel good too!!!

Fox 40 classic whistle

I bought two so I'd feel twice as good.

Thank you Malpaso....


Regards,
Dread