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Safety first: Choosing the right whistle for safety and survival
- July 20, 2022
If there is one use for whistles that can be beneficial to a huge number of people it is their use as a safety or survival tool. Any outdoorsman, safety expert or search and rescue worker will tell you that a reliable, loud whistle can be the simplest yet most effective way to guarantee your safety in a range of situations.
Whether you need to use a loud safety whistle to signal for help, or simply use it as a tool to communicate with friends or team members over large distances or in noisy environments, they are an affordable addition to anyone’s outdoor or survival kit. They can very much make the crucial difference in an emergency situation.
In addition to our classic whistles, we have also engineered a contemporary range of safety and survival whistles that are perfect for ramblers, mountaineers, kayakers, boaters, and anyone else who may find themselves in challenging settings.
Building a safety or survival kit
When creating a safety or survival kit, the most important consideration is the conditions in which the kit will be used. For example, if you are putting together a kit for use in an urban area, it should include items like a first aid kit and a map of the city and surrounding areas. Conversely, a kit designed for use in a rural area should contain items like a compass and water purification tablets.
In addition to considering the environment, you should also take into account your own personal needs. For instance, if you have allergies or health conditions, be sure to include medication in your kit. By taking the time to assess your unique needs and circumstances, you can ensure that your safety or survival kit will be of real use in an emergency situation.
The type of whistle you choose also should be tailored to the environment you will be heading into. Will you need a water safe whistle, or perhaps an extra loud one to cut through the noise. It is also worth mentioning that pitch and volume are two different aspects of whistle tone which should be considered indivisually, as the right combination will ensure your whistle cuts through noise and travels.
Finally, it should go without saying that no amount of kit will help you unless you know how to use it for best results. Take some time to read our guide on getting the most from your loud safety whistle.
Meet the ACME Safety Whistles Family
If you find yourself in a difficult spot or an emergency, you'll want an ACME safety and survival whistle at hand to signal and call for help.
In these scenarios, the ACME Survival Whistle 649 will prove itself to be invaluable. One of the best things about this whistle is that it has no moving parts, is completely shatterproof, emits a loud, attention-grabbing and discordant sound, and takes next to no effort to blow. Originally developed in 1949 as the world’s first safety and survival whistle, it is perfect for any and all conditions including marine and aquatic environments, heavily forested areas, and urban landscapes.
As an alternative, the ACME Tornado T2000 is a strong contender in the loud, safety whistle category. This is another pealess whistle, meaning that there are no moving parts that can rust, corrode, or freeze within the body of the whistle which makes it ideal for extreme conditions. It produces an incredibly loud, high pitched sound that is sure to be noticed - up to 125dBA can be achieved with this model.
Produced in a smaller format, the Slimline Tornado 636 packs a massive punch despite its petite proportions. Its small size makes it ideal for ultra lightweight camping or for slipping into a pocket without weighing you down. The Tornado and Survival series of whistles come in a range of colours that are eye-catching, making them easy to locate in a pocket or bag. If you expect to be out at night then you may wish to choose one of the luminous varieties for extra visibility.
Developed for marine signalling and dog training, yet coming into its own as a loud safety whistle, the Hellova Whistle 901 delivers extreme directional focus and an impressively loud whistle call. Larger than the other safety whistles mentioned above, this is an incredibly useful whistle for cutting through high levels of background noise to deliver clear sounds. It is a pea whistle so may not be suitable for extremely cold conditions that can cause the pea to freeze to the inside of the whistle’s body, though it certainly has its place in many safety scenarios.