Best Survival and Emergency Whistles for 2023

Finding yourself in a life-threatening or emergency situation and being at a loss about what to do is not pleasant. This is why you should know how crucial it is for you to own a whistle.

Though inexpensive, it is one of the most efficient ways to draw attention and ensure you get help in case of emergency situations as fast as possible.

 

IN A NUTSHELL – BEST SURVIVAL & EMERGENCY WHISTLES

 

One of the best things you can do to protect your life is to be proactive, especially if you are in an emergency or survival situation.

For an outdoorsy person going on a hike by yourself and ending up getting lost can be very terrifying. Even when you shout for help, your voice may not carry more than a few meters and could also be lost in the wind. Also, if you end up losing your sense of direction or can’t find the trail, then it can really be frightening.

A specialized tool such as a survival whistle can make a loud and piercing noise, penetrating the wind and notifying anyone within a radius of a few kilometers that someone needs help. It is an excellent tool for getting the attention you need urgently.

This is why it is very crucial for everyone in your group of hikers to carry it at all times together with the must-haves like a mini first-aid kit.

 

What should you look for in an emergency survival whistle?

A survival kit is not complete without an emergency whistle. But you shouldn’t just go out there to purchase any survival whistle you fancy without carrying out any research.

There are myriads of such specialized tools on the market today. Therefore, you need to learn or follow some tips in your quest for selecting the best survival whistle that you can add to your kit whenever you are ready to embark on your outdoor adventures.

In a nutshell, I would say that it’s a must selecting waterproof whistles, and especially those that don’t require a pea to make the sound. When the pea jams, the whistle is useless. This is a key factor.

Also, blowing into a strong wind affects the sound of a whistle. This is a MUCH higher priority so keep this in mind before making a buying decision.

 

The following are the stuff you must watch out for before buying any survival whistle of your choice:

 

Durability

This is the first thing you should look for when in need of a survival whistle. The best out there are made of durable materials. Most of them are made of plastic, but their qualities differ.

So you need to ensure that you go for the one that is made of a high-quality plastic material. You can count on it at any time not to let you down in any way.

Loudness

The aim of buying one in the first instance is to be heard when and if you get into trouble and need to call for help, especially if you are in an area with no cell reception. It must be the type that pierces the wind when blown, almost deafening.

This is why a survival whistle that emits sounds that range from 90 to 120 decibels is an excellent choice. Such decibel levels will make you heard above noises in the areas surrounding you such as engine roars or breaking waves of the ocean and can also carry over great distances.

Remember that if it’s not loud, it won’t be of any good to you if you are in an emergency situation anywhere.

Easy to access and carry

Going on outdoor adventures can be exhilarating until you find yourself in an emergency situation. This is why you need to be sure that it can readily be accessed at such times.

It should come with a lanyard attachment that can easily break away when you apply pressure to it. Whistles that come with lanyard attachments can be worn around the neck which means you can carry them easily and close enough to be accessed when the need arises.

Some malfunction or fail under particular conditions. You don’t want to pick such, do you? You need a survival whistle that does not deteriorate, overblown, freeze or jam when you need it most.

It must give off penetrating and high-pitched sounds at any time, irrespective of any weather condition or outside forces and can depend on at all times.

Therefore go for the one which gives a louder sound the harder you blow it for this is what you need in an emergency situation.

Visibility

They come in a variety of colors, but it is expedient that you go for a whistle that can easily be seen in the dark. Make sure you carry out one of that handy red LED flashlights if you can’t spot it in the dark.

Yes, that black survival whistle you are already eyeing on that web page looks attractive, but the more useful ones are the types that come in bright colors.

 

What are the uses of a survival whistle?

Although a survival whistle may appear trivial to you, it could be the tool that will save your life when you are out there in rough country or backwoods.

 

The following are the uses of survival whistles:

Signal for help

This is perhaps the major reason why they were invented. If you depend on the rescue team to find you, you could end up waiting forever.

Depending on your voice to get the much-needed attention is foolhardy and may not even be strong enough to go far. The best way to call for attention in such emergency situations is by blowing it and letting the rescue team pinpoint your location without further delay.

If you find yourself stranded on a lifeboat while traveling on the ocean and you see a large boat in the distance, a survival whistle can get the attention of the people on board and help will come your way soon enough.

Scare animals away

You need to be able to protect yourself from animals like the mountain lion, wolves, and other predators whenever you are in the wilderness. Most encounters with dangerous animals happen suddenly, and you may not have a weapon to protect yourself.

A loud blare can scare animals away, especially those who don’t like high-pitched noises. Of course, this may not work, but it is worth a shot if you cannot get a weapon to protect yourself fast enough.

Survive a natural disaster

A majority of natural disasters that occur usually take place without warning. This is why you must ensure that is always nearby or accessible in your emergency kit.

This can help you a lot if you find yourself trapped under a collapsed building – if an earthquake hit your area. You should not depend on rescue dogs to sniff you out as it could take hours or days.

It will attract the attention of rescuers to your areas faster than rescue dogs will.

Scare hoodlums away

Have you ever been stalked by a thief or hoodlum? It can be horrifying, especially if you need to pass alleyways that are not lit by streetlamps. This is where a survival whistle comes in handy.

All criminals hate attracting attention when they are committing their nefarious acts, but that is what will happen when you blow it. This unexpected move on your part can scare the living daylights out of them, and have them running away from the area before help arrives.

 

Now, let’s take them one by one:

 

This state-of-the-art survival tool is one of the loudest you can find anywhere, up to 122 decibels. The chambers are tuned harmonically to deliver high-pitched sounds when blown so that it drowns other natural or man-made noises. Expect your ears to be ringing even after a day of blowing it; that’s how earsplitting it can be.


  • It is made of high-strength plastic which makes means it won’t rust
  • It comes in black and orange colors, but experts advise that you go for the orange variety since it is easier to spot in the dark
  • It is easy to carry and light enough to be hung on your keychain or around your neck
  • It does not weigh more than 8.5 gram and approximately 2.3 inches long
  • It can be used in wet conditions

The only disadvantage is the lung force required to make it heard. You will need all the energy you can muster if you want to hit the 122dB levels. However, it is not entirely necessary for you to blow it that high for you to be heard.


 

It comes with a single-frequency which emits a signal of 100dB which is still audible if help is a mile away.

It works in any outdoors condition and does not freeze or jam.


  • It works without freezing or jamming in any outdoors condition
  • It weighs less than 1oz
  • It fits any pocket and can even be attached to zipper pools
  • It emits sounds up to 100dB which can be heard more than one mile away
  • It comes with a unique and high-quality design

For some individuals, it may not be loud or piercing enough. But it is one of the best on the market today.


This is another survival tool that is widely employed in various situations and can be used as a referee, in case of an emergency or as a lifeguard.

It is available in different colors and emits about 120dB of earsplitting sound which can be heard over a radius of more than one mile. It is unaffected by moisture and very easy to blow. It can also be cleaned easily after use.


  • It is easy to blow
  • It can reach up to 120 decibels and even higher if you blow with more force – the harder you blow, the louder the sound – though this is not entirely necessary
  • It is designed using 100% high-impact ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) plastic which implies that it will never break or rust
  • It is durable and can withstand harsh conditions
  • It is impervious or unaffected by moisture
  • It does not jam, freeze or break since there are no moving parts that will obstruct sounds
  • It comes together with a breakaway lanyard which makes it easy to carry in times of need
  • It is loud enough to be heard above other ambient sounds from football stadia, airports, race tracks, etc. and more than a mile away

It may be too shrill for some people, but all in all, it’s a must-have for outdoor enthusiasts.


This is one of the best on the market today and comes in a bright yellow color. It is extraordinarily high-pitched and carefully designed to be heard through walls, glass, and across the water. It can even be used underwater and features decibel levels that range from 118 to 120 decibels.

Its design may be simple, but it works perfectly in any situation and the ideal tool to add to your survival preparedness kit. It is also built to last and is relatively affordable.

It’s constructed using the lightest and toughest material on earth: titanium. This means that it will never be prone to rust or breaking irrespective of the age or situation. It is known to emit up to 100dB of sound and even higher (if required).


  • It is lightweight and easy to find, thanks to the cord that comes with it
  • It can be worn around the neck, attached to your belt, keychain or backpack thereby making it easy to reach during emergencies
  • It is loud, and if you possess powerful lungs, it can go as high-pitched as you like
  • It will never jam, thanks to its unique design
  • It is made of titanium, making it resistant to rust

Users have complained about the ruggedness roughness of the cord if worn around the neck as well as the fact that it is not made of a single piece. A small plastic is part of the design which, when it falls, may not function properly again.


In conclusion

Survival whistles are a necessary accessory that must always be part of your survival preparedness kit, especially if you love going for outdoor adventures.

No one expects an emergency situation to crop up, but when you are prepared when it occurs, it could mean the difference between life and death. Choose the right one and be assured of your safety in emergency situations in the wilderness.

 

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1 thought on “Best Survival and Emergency Whistles for 2023”

  1. If you truly want the best all around safety/survival whistle then check out Whistles for Life! Bob Cameron used his 55+ years experience in search & rescue, as well as help from other law enforcement professionals to master the design of the Whistles for Life whistle. It is very loud reaching 120 decibels and produces omni-directional sounds with 3 separate chambers. Check them out at REI or whistlesforlife.com

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