7 Best Survival Whistles For Outdoors And Emergencies

Rilor Staff
Update: August 16, 2021
Table of Contents

Having the best whistles is essential for outdoor and survival uses. They are used for identification purposes and as a safety device to help rescuers locate you while lost in the woods or on water.  Whistles produce a very sharp sound that can be heard over long distances, even in noisy environments.

An outdoor whistle is a device to produce sound waves by the force of air exhaled through the lips. There are various types of whistles in the market, most commonly used on boats as short-range communication devices and for signaling purposes in case of distress. 

Many people do not own survival whistles, though they are small in size and easy to carry. But even if you aren't a prepper, you should always have a whistle with you because it could save your life one day. Most of us use mobile phones nowadays, but their chances of getting a signal in emergency cases are very less. 

Hence, it would help if you got the following whistles. 

7 Best Whistles For Outdoors And Emergencies

 Type Volume
Whistles for LIFE Tri-Power Whistle PealessUp to 120 decibels 
Vargo Titanium EmergencyWhistle PealessUp to 100 decibels 
Fox 40 Classic Safety Whistle PealessUp to 115 decibels
STORM Windstorm Safety Whistle PealessUp to 100 decibels 
Michael Josh Emergency Survival Whistle PealessUp to 150 decibels 
HEIMDALL Emergency Whistle PealessUp to 120 decibels 
Nitecore NWS10 TC4 Titanium Outdoor Emergency Whistle Pealess Up to 120 decibels

1. Whistles for LIFE Tri-Power Whistle

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You should bring the Tri-Power Whistle to any of your outdoor activities. This simple whistle can serve as a pivotal safety tool wherever you go. It is capable of generating a staccato sound that has a volume of up to 120 decibels. Such a sound remains audible even amidst intense background noises such as gusts of winds, lightning storms, and vehicles. It has one primary chamber and two secondary chambers that let it create sounds in different directions. Moreover, it has a locking safety clip and hands-free mouth grip so that you can utilize it regardless of the situation.

DETAILED SPECIFICATIONS:

  • Materials - ABS plastic
  • Number of chambers - 3
  • Sound level - Up to 120 decibels
  • Dimensions - 2.76 inches x 1.38 inches
  • Weight - 0.1 ounces

2. Vargo Titanium Emergency Whistle

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Summoning strong distress signals is not difficult for the Vargo Titanium Emergency Whistle. Unlike other whistles, this one doesn't have a pea on its architecture. In this way, it will remain functional in any situation. It is also a lightweight whistle, only weighing 0.1 ounces. It is capable of producing up to 100 decibels of sounds so that rescuers will easily spot you. Meanwhile, its structure is highly durable and weather-resistant. A reflective lanyard is also included in its package to add to your visibility. 

DETAILED SPECIFICATIONS:

  • Materials - Titanium
  • Number of chambers - 1
  • Sound level - Up to 100 decibels
  • Dimensions - 2.2 inches x 0.3 inches
  • Weight - 0.1 ounces

3. Fox 40 Classic Safety Whistle

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Another way of getting found in the middle of nowhere is using the Fox 40 Classic Safety Whistle. This whistle is technically strong enough to generate up to 115 decibels of noise. The harder you blow on it, the louder its distress signal becomes. It can even drown all the other noises in the surroundings, enabling you to be heard clearly. Since this whistle has no moving parts (such as peas), it is not susceptible to deterioration. Its chambers are structured to remain clear even if it is submerged underwater. 

DETAILED SPECIFICATIONS:

  • Materials - Plastic
  • Number of chambers - 3
  • Sound level - Up to 115 decibels
  • Dimensions - 2.25 inches x .76 inches
  • Weight - 0.5 ounces

4. STORM Windstorm Safety Whistle

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The STORM Windstorm Safety Whistle has an insane range. Its pitches can be heard up to half a mile, which is downright essential during natural disasters and emergencies. It can even release sound even if it's 50 feet underwater. Specifically, the whistle can produce up to 110 decibels of distress signals as long as you blow hard enough on it. With its double-chamber construction, you can blow it in multiple directions. Moreover, the whistle offers a high-impact and non-corroding architecture due to its thermoplastic housing. 

DETAILED SPECIFICATIONS:

  • Materials - Thermoplastic
  • Number of chambers - 2
  • Sound level - Up to 110 decibels
  • Dimensions - 6 inches x 3 inches
  • Weight - 1 ounce

5. Michael Josh Emergency Survival Whistle

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One of the loudest emergency whistles that you can get today is the Michael Josh. This whistle features a double-tube construction that lets it produce up to 150 decibels of sound. It can be heard at great distances and in noisy environments. The whistle has a durable and rugged aluminum alloy body so that it can withstand the elements. It doesn't have any built-in peas, too; hence, you don't need to worry about bacteria and mold growth. Interestingly, this whistle includes a carabiner and lanyard for more convenient carrying.

DETAILED SPECIFICATIONS:

  • Materials - Aluminum alloy
  • Number of chambers - 2
  • Sound level - Up to 150 decibels
  • Dimensions - Unspecified
  • Weight - 0.5 ounces

6. HEIMDALL Emergency Whistle

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Despite being a plastic whistle, the HEIMDALL Emergency Whistle is still considered a rugged and survival-worthy utility. It is not as brittle and flimsy as other plastic whistles. At the same time, it isn't susceptible to corrosion, which enables you to expose it to various elements. Similar to other whistles here, this one features a pealess design so that it can work under different conditions. Based on its ratings, the whistle is capable of creating up to 120 decibels of noise. It is audible up to a mile and has a unique pitch that stands out from the background. The HEIMDALL Emergency Whistle comes with multiple attachment options via its lanyard and clip. 

DETAILED SPECIFICATIONS:

  • Materials - Plastic
  • Number of chambers - 2
  • Sound level - Up to 120 decibels
  • Dimensions - 2.83 inches x 0.79 inches
  • Weight - 0.3 ounces

7. Nitecore NWS10 TC4 Titanium Outdoor Emergency Whistle

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For those who are searching for a rugged emergency whistle, the Nitecore NWS10 TC4 Titanium should be your best choice. As its name suggests, this whistle is constructed from a tempered TC4 titanium alloy known for its impressive toughness and durability. Furthermore, the whistle offers safe usage; it has no chemical components that can harm your health. Even if you expose it to the elements, it will not experience damages like rust and corrosion. Meanwhile, its single chamber design allows it to create 120 decibels of noise. Finding rescue will be a lot easier as long as you are equipped with this whistle.

DETAILED SPECIFICATIONS:

  • Materials - Titanium alloy
  • Number of chambers - 1
  • Sound level - Up to 120 decibels
  • Dimensions - 3 inches x 1 inches
  • Weight - 0.16 ounces

How To Choose The Best Whistle For Survival And Outdoors

A whistle is possibly one of the best and easiest ways to signal for help. However, most people don't know what type of whistle to choose from or how a whistle should be used in an emergency. Knowing which kind of whistle to choose (and why) can make all the difference between getting rescued and being stuck out there longer than you had hoped.

In choosing a whistle for outdoor, survival, and emergency purposes, the following considerations should be taken into account.

Loudness

This is the most crucial consideration when choosing a whistle. The louder the whistle, the more likely it will be heard over background noises such as traffic, storms, etc. Whistles are generally rated by their decibels or DB scale—a measurement of loudness. A loud whistle can help alert rescuers that you need help or indicate that you are up and well.

However, it's important to know that decibel ratings for whistles are not the same as those for other instruments. A whistle can only produce sound between a range of frequencies, but a microphone or digital recording device can pick up sounds over a wide range of frequencies. For this reason, peak decibel measurements may not be an accurate indication of a whistle's effectiveness.

To determine which is the loudest, you need to perform a comparative test in your own environment. You can do this by going outside on a clear day and signaling for help at various distances from your home or workplace. To ensure that you are getting a true reading, you must test the signal of each whistle in an environment that is free from other ambient noise.

Another thing to keep in mind when looking at loudness scales of whistles is that the sound level can easily vary depending on the position of your mouth and lips around the mouthpiece. The closer your lips are to it, the higher the pitch of the sound.

Water Resistance

An excellent outdoor survival whistle should be waterproof and windproof. This is important because if you are in a situation where you need to use your whistle, it's likely that it will also be raining or snowing—or both! You don't want to find yourself standing there, unable to signal for help, simply because your whistle isn't working.

Design

The design of the whistle is also essential. A bright color can help to make it stand out and be more easily visible. A larger, easier-to-blow hole means a louder sound could be made.

For outdoor use, the most appropriate designs are either pea or pealess.

  • A pea whistle uses a ball of whistling metal that is blown through a small hole. These are relatively easy to blow and produce a loud sound. However, many find them unreliable because of the moving parts. Moreover, they aren't that hygienic.
  • A pealess whistle uses a smaller chamber than the main body. You have to pass air over the special ridges on the whistle's surface to produce the sound. This is often considered to be more hygienic than a pea whistle. While it is true that they aren't as loud as pea whistles, they can still get the job done, especially in producing audible signals. Their stability is also impressive because of the absence of moving parts.

Durability

You shouldn't expect a cheap whistle to last you very long. Invest in something that will stand the test of time! Make sure it's resilient, made from tough material, and well-constructed.

The most common material used in making outdoor survival whistles is either plastic or aluminum. The latter can be more durable, especially when it's coated. For an even more resilient whistle, consider buying something made from ABS plastic or brass.

Comfort And Grip

There are survival whistles that have a cushion at the bottom end for comfort and grip; others come with thin wires attached to their sides so you can hook them onto your clothing, backpack, or keychain.

For convenience, it's often better to go for a whistle that has a lanyard hole at the bottom end so you can quickly hook it onto your clothing or other items. It will also be ideal if the length of this hole is adjustable so you can make sure it will fit all your needs.

In Summary

You must get the best whistles for outdoor and survival use. You'll never know when a disaster will strike. Hence, it would really be best if you can prepare for them. These whistles help rescuers and helpers find your location in times of emergencies. The distress signals you send through these whistles would one day save your life. 

That's it for now. For your inquiries and comments, just post them below!

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