With a 7-in-1 Emergency Survival Whistle

I’m not very adventurous and don’t often put myself in a situation where I need to be able to signal for help. It’s still a handy skill to have, and because I’ve just received a new 7-in-1 Emergency Survival Whistle, I thought I should brush up on the basics.

After all, it’s been a long time since I was a Girl Scout!

According to the FM 21-76 US ARMY SURVIVAL MANUAL, there are two main ways to get attention or to communicate–visual and audio.

Which one you use will depend on your situation and the material you have available. Whatever you use, you should always have visual and audio signals readily available.

You need to have the right equipment, which I do; my new 7-in-1 Emergency Survival Whistle has these pieces all in one compact unit.

// Whistle
// LED Flashlight
// Compass
// Thermometer
// Magnifier (for fire starting) and other things like reading fine print on maps and examining fine detail on plants
// Mirror
// Gas-tight compartment

Signaling in an Emergency – Mirrors or Shiny Objects

On a sunny day, a mirror is your best signaling device to reflect the sun’s rays. Practice using a mirror or shiny object for signaling now; do not wait until you need it.

Wear the signal mirror on a cord or chain around your neck so that it is ready for immediate use.

CAUTION Do not flash a signal mirror rapidly because a pilot may mistake the flashes for enemy fire (if you’re in that kind of situation!). Do not direct the beam in the aircraft’s cockpit for more than a few seconds as it may blind the pilot.

Haze, ground fog, and mirages may make it hard for a pilot to spot signals from a flashing object. So, if possible, get to the highest point in your area when signaling. If you can’t determine the aircraft’s location, flash your signal in the direction of the aircraft noise.

Note: Pilots have reported seeing mirror flashes up to 160 kilometers away under ideal conditions

Flashlight or Strobe Light

At night, you can use a flashlight to send an SOS to an aircraft. A flashlight and extra batteries (and bulbs) is a must. Use it for signaling in the same pattern as for whistle blasts.

Whistles

Whistles provide an excellent way for close up signaling. In some documented cases, they have been heard up to 1.6 kilometers away. Manufactured whistles have more range than a human whistle.

Take a whistle and learn the signal for rescue. Six good long blasts. Stop for one minute. Repeat. Carry on the whistle blasts until someone reaches you and don’t stop because you’ve heard a reply – rescuers may be using your blasts as a direction finder.

Codes and Signals

Now that you know how to let people know where you are, you need to know how to give them more information. It is easier to form one symbol than to spell out an entire message. Therefore, learn the codes and symbols that all aircraft pilots understand. The most basic of them is the SOS.

You can use lights or flags to send an SOS–three dots, three dashes, three dots. The SOS is the internationally recognized distress signal in radio Morse code. A dot is a short, sharp pulse; a dash is a longer pulse. Keep repeating the signal. When using flags, hold flags on the left side for dashes and on the right side for dots.

Signaling in an emergency is a useful skill. The SOS signal can be accomplished with a reflective mirror or flashlight.

Other Items to Have on Hand

A map and compass are essential for your kit and should be easily accessible – not buried in your backpack! A mobile phone and GPS are useful tools, but you should not rely on your mobile phone to get you out of trouble – in many areas of the mountains, there is no signal coverage. A reliable watch will be helpful too.

Learn more about signaling at these websites: Mountain Rescue – Boy Scout Merit Badge.org – US Army Survival Manual to download your own copy.

FEATURES of my new 7-in-1 Emergency Survival Whistle:

// Nylon hang rope for easy carrying and security
// Standard military high decibel sound
// The compass: precise and clear
// Accurate thermometer
// Survival reflective signal mirror (uses sunlight reflection principles providing search and rescue personnel information on your current location)
// Using the theory of reflection the magnifier helps you start a fire
// LED flashlight
// Gas-tight compartment (before heading out write your name, address, and phone number and your blood type in order to let rescue personnel have your information in case of an emergency.)

BONUS: A Bonus Survival Guide will be sent electronically upon order shipment.

TRAVEL COMPANION It’s a whistle, compass, thermometer, magnifier, reflective mirror, personal information holder, This is the best high decibel emergency survival whistle on Amazon and comes with a string that makes for easy carrying and transporting to your outdoor adventure. Hangs easily around your neck to keep it secured. It’ compact size makes it easy to put away and store when not in use. It’s compact, lightweight and multi-purpose. Keep it in the garage, your car or in your emergency kit, for easy access.

I received a 7-in-1 Emergency Survival Whistle in exchange for this review. The opinions are entirely my own.

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