Whistles - I need some help with an idea....

[Marion David Poff]

Howdy,

I have talked about doing this before, but it has yet to be completed.

I tested a bunch of whistles, and definitely had my favourites, but in doing the testing, I collaborated with two of my brothers and a couple friends, and we had some sticking points.

So, this is my idea.

Test the whistles, by utilizing the decibel meter which the local Sheriff Marine Unit possesses.

I think that the whistles should be tested both for their gross volume, but also for their net volume, when one is trying to hear them over ambient noise, at a distance.
For example, if the the searchers were near a creek or quakies, how would that affect the discernibility of the whistle tone.

Because, while many whistles were loud, it seemed as if some benefited not so much from their volume, but from their tone, which penetrated quite well.

Another consideration, or parameter of the test should be ease of use. If we assume that this test is to assess the usefulness and suitability of a whistle for survival use, then one has to consider lowered manual dexterity, loss of fine motor skills, numb lips, etc.

Anyway, those are my thoughts to date, and I am interested in your thoughts.

And here is an image of the whistles I have so far.....

Marion

 

[akabu]

some already done here with Estela
http://sgtmikessurvivaltips.blogspot.com/

 

[6749]

after four years of lifegaurding i can tell you the only whistle to use is a fox 40, wet dry cold hot, they always work

 

[MRpink]

some already done here with Estela
http://sgtmikessurvivaltips.blogspot.com/

That's where I saw the review for the TOPS survival whistle. I requested twowolvesoutdoor to order some and they did. At 2.50 a piece, I'll be picking up a couple along with some other stuff.

 

[gadgetgeek]

from my somewhat limited experience as a sound tech/operator I know that a single frequency does not sound as loud as several with a lower actual sound pressure. Tone is very important, I'd say as or even slightly more so than actual sound pressure output. its just in how human ears work.

 

[Marion David Poff]

from my somewhat limited experience as a sound tech/operator I know that a single frequency does not sound as loud as several with a lower actual sound pressure. Tone is very important, I'd say as or even slightly more so than actual sound pressure output. its just in how human ears work.

That is good information.

In my previous testing, I found that a whistle with two discordant tones worked best, it seemed to carry the best.

Marion

 

[Marion David Poff]

Doing some research into this, I came across some articles and stuff....

Here are the specific posts referenced by the first poster....

http://sgtmikessurvivaltips.blogspot.com/2008/05/who-gives-toot-whistle-tests-coming.html

http://sgtmikessurvivaltips.blogspot.com/2008/09/whistle-tests-part-two.html


And some info from Doug Ritter of Equipped.com

http://www.equipped.com/soundoff.htm


And and old article from OldJimbo....

http://www.oldjimbo.com/survival/whistles.html

 

[Junkyard]

Marion
Very Interesting. Looking forward to your results.
When are you going to swing by the "Sheep?"

Jason

 

[bltjr1951]

Dang, that's a great collection.

 

[1Tracker]

I have 6 of the whistles in that photo. IME whistles WITH a 'PEA' can be eliminated because the 'pea' can freeze in place and render the whistle a PITA/POS!

Some of the others are way too bulky, have some, forget carrying them PITA!

The Flat type work well, but are not as loud as the Fox 40's IME.

 

[Trace Rinaldi]

Anyone have any experience with the cord lock whistles? They attach to the ends of a paracord lanyard..

BTW Marion Im REALLY looking forward to living up near your locale in NID

 

[Marion David Poff]

Marion
Very Interesting. Looking forward to your results.
When are you going to swing by the "Sheep?"

Jason

Hey Boss, how you been?

You know I usually stop by to see you, but I have missed you the last couple times.....

How is your year coming around?

Marion

 

[Marion David Poff]

Anyone have any experience with the cord lock whistles? They attach to the ends of a paracord lanyard..

BTW Marion Im REALLY looking forward to living up near your locale in NID

I am gonna get one of those whistles, after all, I have just about every other one....

And BTW - You been on that saw for some time, when you gonna make it happen? We be looking forward to having you up here....

Marion

 

[Trace Rinaldi]

I am gonna get one of those whistles, after all, I have just about every other one....

And BTW - You been on that saw for some time, when you gonna make it happen? We be looking forward to having you up here....

Marion

HAHAHAHA.. Yeah I been threatening this for a while now havent I?..

Its GOING to happen, long story but the last few years have been pretty "interesting".. This is the year though!!.:thumbup:

 

[c00per]

I have always just used the Acme Thunderer 58. It's worked fine for about 10 years now.

Looking through their website - http://www.acmewhistles.co.uk/ - it seems they probably have some that might be more suited, like the "cyclone" or "tornado," but the Thunderer is a classic and does the job for me.

 

[Marion David Poff]

HAHAHAHA.. Yeah I been threatening this for a while now havent I?..

Its GOING to happen, long story but the last few years have been pretty "interesting".. This is the year though!!.:thumbup:

Brother, I know how that game works.

I been trying to make knife for 15 years, and I just finished my first....

When you ready, you let me know, I will run down anything you need. Eastern WA Area Code, six again upside down, nothing 8 6 5 0.

Marion