How to choose the best safety whistle

There are many different kinds of safety whistles on the market, but how do you decide which one is best for you or your organization?

Here are some things that you should consider when buying a safety whistle:

Sound

The most important factor when selecting a whistle is sound. Whistles vary both in volume and frequency produced. It’s very important for your whistle to be able to be heard from a distance, over surrounding sounds, and be easy to blow. High quality safety whistles can produce loud, distinct sounds so that you can be heard over any loud ambient sounds in your surrounding environment including sirens of emergency vehicles and or large rushing rivers.

Consistent durability & reliability

You never know when or where an emergency situation is going to occur. Therefore, a safety whistle needs to be able to function in all conditions. You need a whistle that has been proven to consistently function and be audible in various scenarios, such as after being submerged in water or when facing high winds. Whether you’re trapped in a building due to a fire or earthquake, or fall into harsh waters while hiking, you need a whistle that won’t freeze or break and will help you effectively call for help.

The two most common materials that whistles are most often made of are plastic and metal. Here are some pros and cons for each material:

Metal whistles:

Pros:

• Stronger and more durable than most plastic whistles (non-ABS)
• Will not become brittle in extreme temperatures
• Can produce a high decibel sound

Cons:

• Will not float
• Very conductive; will heat up in hot weather and get cold in cold weather
• Corrode easily when exposed to salt and chlorine (i.e. pool or ocean water)
• Hard to grip with are wet or cold hands

Plastic whistles:

Pros:

• Will not freeze in cold conditions
• Not as conductive as metal; doesn’t heat up/cool down in hot/cold weather
• Will float in liquids
• Corrosion resistant: can withstand prolonged exposure to salt and chlorine
• Can produce a high decibel sound

Cons:

• Can be weaker and less durable than metal
• Plastic can become brittle in extreme conditions

 

Accessibility

The ability to quickly and easily access to your safety whistle is imperative. Not all safety whistles are equipped with a mechanism that makes them easy to carry. Bug, bulky whistles are difficult to carry, and rounded whistles do not always fit comfortably in your pockets. Ideally, you should have a whistle that can be easily attached to your clothing, keys, or backpack, or that can fit flat and comfortably in your pocket so it’s always within reach. In addition, once you have the whistle in your hands, it needs to be easy to hold whether your hands are cold, dry, wet, or gloved.

While there are many safety whistles to choose from, not all of them have the right qualities to be an effective safety tool. At Whistles for Life, our whistles produce a loud and attention-grabbing 120-decibel sound. They are consistently reliable, made of durable ABS plastic which can withstand harsh use and extreme temperatures, and are very accessible with a clip for easy fastening. Our whistles are also equipped with waffle-textured sides, making it easier to grip in any situation.

To learn more about Whistles for Life, and why our safety whistle is one of the best on the market, check out more information here.