If you are a boater, raft guide, lifeguard, sailor, swift water rescuer, or anyone that works around water, this episode is for you. I guess since 70 percent of the earth is covered by water, then this episode is really for everyone.
So crank up the Bon Jovi as our our gladiators hit the lake to find out which liked to wet their whistles and which ones needed water wings…
Test 1: I pulled out my life jacket from my old raft guiding days, strapped it on, and went into the drink. The test was simple. Completely submerge and then see how many blasts it took to clear the whistle of water when I popped up.
Test 2: Some manufacturers boast that their whistle floats. I think this is a non issue, since it should be attached to your lifejacket by a lanyard. I tested them anyway.
Test 3: Some manufacturers claim their whistles work underwater.
According to http://www.stormwhistles.com/ “It’s patented design allows the Storm whistle to be heard up to fifty feet underwater, due to its unique sounding chamber forcing out all water when the whistle is blown.”
I assume this is just boasting about the easy clearance as I am not aware of any practical value of underwater whistle blowing. Anyway, I went under and tried them out.
How did they do? Scroll on down to find your pick..
Jetscream Micro – 2 blasts to clear, floated, worked underwater
ACME 660 – 2 blasts to clear, floated, worked under water
Fox 40 Classic – 1 blast to clear, floated, worked under water
ACME Tornado 635 – 2 blasts to clear, floated, did not work underwater
Hammerhead – 1 blast to clear, floated, worked under water
Tin Whistle – 2 blasts to clear, sinker, did not work underwater
Fox 40 Mini – 1 blast to clear, floated, worked under water
AMK or SOL or Fox 40 Micro – 2 blasts to clear, floated, worked underwater
ACME Tornado 636 – 2 blasts to clear, floated, worked underwater
SOL Slim Rescue Howler – 2 blasts to clear, floated, worked underwater
ACR – 3 blasts to clear, floated, worked underwater
Coghlan’s 5 in 1 Survival Aid – 3 blasts to clear, floated, did not work underwater
Zipper Pull Whistle – 4 blasts to clear, sinker, did not work underwater
Coghlan’s 4 in 1 Whistle – 2 blasts to clear, sinker, did not work underwater
Sternum Strap Whistle – 2 blasts to clear, sinker, worked underwater
LMF Swedish Firesteel Army 2.0 – 4 blasts to clear, sinker, worked underwater
Windstorm – 1 blast to clear, floated, worked under water
Hammerhead Mighty – 1 blast to clear, floated, worked under water
Lifejacket Whistle – 3 blasts to clear, floated, worked underwater
FOX 40 Eclipse – 1 blast to clear, floated, worked under water
Storm – 1 blast to clear, floated, worked under water
Scotty Lifesaver – 1 blast to clear, floated, worked under water
ACME Tornado 2000 – 1 blast to clear, floated, worked under water
FOX 40 Sonic Blast – 1 blast to clear, floated, worked under water
UST Jetscream – 1 blast to clear, floated, worked under water
Whistles for Life – 2 blasts to clear, floated, worked underwater
Promo whistle – 2 blasts to clear, floated, worked underwater
FOX 40 Sharx – 1 blast to clear, floated, worked under water
ACME Cyclone 888 – 1 blast to clear, floated, worked under water
ACME 649 – 1 blast to clear, floated, worked under water
Test 1 Observations:
- 1st blasters – Easy. The pealess, like the Fox series, seemed a little easier than versions with a pea
- 2nd blasters – It wasn’t too hard to clear them. I wouldn’t discount a 2nd blaster
- 3rd blasters – I found it funny that the “Lifejacket” whistle ended up here
- 4th blasters – Both are multi-purpose and not likely to be your water rescue whistle
Test 2 Observations:
- Shame on you if your whistle is not tethered or clipped to your jacket as it could be dropped, swept away by the current, or waves.
- Realistically, the sternum strap, zipper pull, and ferro rod striker are attached to something that may float or may sink
Test 3 Observations:
- Both the Storm and the Windstorm did seem to perform best underwater. If you have gills then maybe these are the whistles for you.
Tune in next week to see how your pick fares..
If you are late to the party and need to catch up, click the following links;
Whistlemania I – https://bigpigblog.com/2014/05/05/whistlemania-i/
Whistlemania II – https://bigpigblog.com/2014/05/15/whistlemania-ii-the-iceman-cometh/