Originally Posted By: hikermor
It is on clearance at REI...

I think I can see why.

It's worrisome enough to depend on a fragile battery powered device that depends on a cellular network (voice call on your cellphone directly to a rescue team) to get you help.

It's even worse to depend on a fragile battery powered device (electronic whistle), that itself depends on another fragile battery powered device (smartphone), that depends on an installed software application (smartphone app), that depends on a cellular network, that depends on an SMS/email provider to send a text message/email, that depends on your contacts having their smartphones on and in a service area to receive your text message/email, that depends on your contacts fulfilling their duty to notify a rescue team, that depends on your contacts knowing the phone number for the rescue team, to get you help.

Why not just call the rescue team yourself? You've got your cellphone right there in the first place! This electronic whistle appears to be a solution in search of a problem.