Best Survival Whistles: The Loudest Ones For Rescue & Safety

By Will Brendza | Updated: 11/28/2023

Survival WhistlesToday I’ve got something very important to share…

A Complete Guide On Survival Whistles & How To Use One In An Emergency

Because a whistle is the smallest, lightest, and most inexpensive life saving tool.

No question about it!

Because when you’re cold, disorientation, thirsty and lost, the whistle gets help fast.

It serves as a beacon for rescue and may prove to be your ultimate salvation!

But with so many options today…

How do you know which is best?

Today I’ll give you definite answers (plus so much more):

TOPICS IN THIS GUIDE…    ↓(click to jump)
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Best Survival Whistles For Sale Today

The free market has seized upon the need for whistles.

Today you can find everything from ordinary whistles, to super-tech rescue howlers.

Finding the right one can be an overwhelming.

But that’s what this article is for.

Here is a list of some of the best rescue whistles on the market, and what makes them worth a look:

1. Our Top Recommendation
SE 7-IN-1 Green Whistle

The 7-in-1 Whistle is a high-tech whistle that comes with a LED flashlight and a compass (as the name implies). It also includes the following:

  • signaling mirror
  • waterproof storage compartment
  • thermometer
  • magnifying glass
  • 16” lanyard

This device is helpful in any survival situation.

The main drawback to this whistle is its color. Instead of neon-orange (which makes it easy to spot), this one's green. This color tends to blend into nature's surroundings.

This may be a Pro if you are not interested in rescue but evasion.

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↓ NDUR 7-in-1 Whistle Overview

2.
Emergency Zone 5 in 1 Whistle

The Emergency Zone 5 in 1 is similar in form to most common whistles. It's simple and effective.

Not only do you get a loud whistle, but you also get a waterproof container. A container for stashing your matches, fishing line, hooks, and other small survival tools. You also get a small compass and a signal mirror.

The bright orange color of the tube makes this whistle easy to spot in a chaotic scene. The entire whistle floats in case you drop it in water.

It comes with a lanyard that can also be used in an emergency. And it includes both matches and flint inside.

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↓ 5-In-1 Whistle Review

3.
HyperWhistle142db

The HyperWhistle142db claims to be the world's loudest whistle, capable of producing a sound of up to 142 decibels.

It's perfect for outdoor enthusiasts who love hiking, camping, and boating, etc. And it's a wise tool for emergency situations where a loud whistle can help attract attention and signal for help.

The HyperWhistle142db is made from high-impact ABS plastic and is waterproof and durable. It's also easy to use, with a pealess design that produces a loud, clear sound without requiring any specific blowing technique.

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↓ World’s Loudest Whistle?

4.
Michael Josh Outdoor Rescue Whistles

Michael Josh Outdoor Whistles are made of durable and lightweight aluminum alloy and feature a loud and clear sound that can be heard from a distance.

The product also includes a keychain for easy carrying with a fashionable lanyard.

Overall, customer reviews of this product are positive, with many users praising the loud and effective sound of the whistle. Some users have also noted that the product is small and lightweight, making it convenient to carry on outdoor excursions or attach to a keychain for everyday use.

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↓ Michael Josh Whistle Demo

5.
The Dantoel Titanium Rescue Whistle

The Dantoel Titanium Resuce Whistle is made out of Polished TC4 Titanium Alloy. This means it's completely waterproof, anti-corrosive, and non-toxic.

The pea-less design allows the whistle to work in all conditions, delivering an instant sound without being distorted by water, dirt, saliva or ice, etc.

This little whistle is still super loud at up to 120 decibels, which can easily attract others’ attention from a long distance.

The sleek, compact, and lightweight design makes the whistle your perfect EDC partner. It can be attached to a keychain, necklace, lanyard, accessories or your backpack.


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↓ Dantoel Titanium Whistle For Emergencies

6.
Atomic Bear Bracelet (2 Pack)

Some of the better paracord bracelets include a whistle.

I honestly can't think of a better way to carry a survival whistle than having it as a part of your paracord bracelet.

Why? Because paracord is so useful for survival and then combining it with an emergency whistle is smart.

I don't wear my paracord bracelet to show off. I wear it because it has a paracord, a firestarter, and a whistle. If you wear it every day, you'll never be without a whistle in an emergency.

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↓ The Atomic Bear: Cobra Survival Bracelet Review

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What Is A “Survival” Whistle Anyway?

Most of us have been playing with whistles since we were kids.

Strutting about blasting high-pitched squeals that annoyed our parents to no end.

But when you stop to think about it, the whistle is an incredible invention.

It’s a small handheld device that turns your exhale into a high-pitched, piercing screech.

  • It doesn’t scream words.
  • It doesn’t emit flashing lights.
  • It doesn’t send out radio signals.

But if you’re hiking and you hear a loud whistle, you know what’s going on.

Someone’s in trouble and need your help.

That’s why whistles are a prime example of non-verbal communication.

Owning a good whistle is important.

Many outdoor backpacks include a safety whistle built into the buckle clips.

So even if you forget to pack your whistle, you can still have one at all times.

Whether you’re in the woods, the mountains, at sea, or in a city.

But these small built-in buckle whistles are cheap.

They’re not 100% reliable, and not the loudest option available.

So even if your backpack has one built-in, I still recommend investing in a rescue whistle.

Then stash it inside your pack or add one to your keychain.

How Whistles Save Lives

Who knows how many lives have been lost because the victim had no way of signaling for help?

Too many.

According to statistics, on average there are 650,000 people reported missing in the USA each year.

Now, obviously, not all these missing person reports are hikers lost in the woods…

But many of them are.

Fortunately, there’s a simple way to reduce the number of unnecessary missing persons.

Invest in a loud whistle and put it on your keychain.

Hell, buy ten rescue whistles and put one inside each of your backpacks.

And anywhere else you think where they might come in handy.

And these loud distress signals aren’t just useful for backpackers.

They’re for:

  • Hunters
  • Backcountry Skiers
  • Sailors
  • Camping Hiking
  • Mountain Bikers
  • Climbers
  • Etc.

They are essential for anyone who ventures into the wilderness.

Even those who live in rough parts of town can benefit from having a loud whistle.

Whistles scare away thieves, pickpockets, kidnappers, and criminals.

↓ Your Easy Guide to Emergency Whistles

hanging whistle 1

The Many Whistle Uses

To illustrate how useful whistles can be, here’s a short list of ways a whistle can come in handy:

  • Directing a hunting dog.
  • Getting the attention of a large crowd.
  • Signaling drill squads.
  • Lost in the woods when things are scary, cold, and lonely.
  • Stranded on a lifeboat at sea and you see a large boat in the distance.
  • Injured in the wilderness, cannot escape without help but no one is with you.
  • You shot your friend while out hunting. You need to stay and tend to him while signaling for help.
  • While out rock climbing, you get stuck in a storm and are unable to get off the cliff wall.
  • You’re cornered in a dark alleyway by a bunch of creeps.
  • Someone pulls a knife on you and demands your wallet.
  • Your dog is lost.
  • You’re a child being kidnapped.
  • Directing traffic in an emergency.
  • Refereeing a sporting event.

The applications are endless!

And the best part is they’re lightweight, inexpensive, small, and packable.

You don’t have to break the bank and don’t have to break your back either. 

They only weigh a few ounces.

↓ Ultimate Whistle Test – 39 Separate Devices

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Bullet Survival Whistle

How To Make A Bullet Whistle

Making your own whistle in an emergency is not ideal…

But it can be done.

Try not to count on your ability to do so in an emergency.

It’s always better to prepare first and improvise second.

If you get a whistle and add it to your pack, you won’t have to worry about improvisation.

You reach into your bag, grab your whistle and start blasting away.

Also, if you’re robbed at knifepoint, making an emergency whistle isn’t going to work either.

But you can’t always expect 100% preparation in every conceivable situation.

So, for this reason, here’s a quick guide to creating your own improvised whistle:

↓ Bullet Shell Whistle

1. Find a Bullet Casing

Bullet casings are the best material to use for this project.

Long-range rifle calibers are the shape you’re looking for.

Remember the “aluminum alloy whistle” from the previous section?

You want to find a casing shaped like that. Long and slender, like that of a .223.

Bullet casings are the best option because their shape is already similar to a whistle.

Other items would take more machining to get the shape right.

So to complete this guide we’ll assume you have a .223 casing.

2. Shave Down the Casing

You need the casing to be one single diameter without a neck.

So you’ll need to take the casing and shave the neck off with a rock or file.

This takes a bit of elbow grease and time but it’s definitely doable with persistence.

3. File a Notch

Next, you need to utilize a 90-degree rough edge (rock, concrete, or file) to create the desired cut-out shape.

If you need a reference on what it should look like, take another look at these aluminum alloy whistles or watch the video below.

4. Find a Stick That Fits Tight

In order to create the whistle sound from a bullet casing, you need to insert a stick into the open end.

You need the stick to be snug enough to hold in place.

5. Shave The Top Of The Stick Down

Finally, remove the stick from the whistle, then shave a little bit off the top.

This will allow high-velocity air to funnel through and hit the cut-out hole.

This process creates the high-pitched whistle you desire.

This option is NOT to be relied on in an emergency.

It’s more of a fun project before you’re in dire straits.

If you can’t find a .223 and .22 casing laying around, try using a ballpoint pen cap or a small tube of scrap metal.

Anything that can create a sharp, shrill, piercing sound when blown into will work.

The device matters less than the product: a loud shrill noise.

It doesn’t matter what you use to get rescued, as long as you do.

Improvisation is an important survival skill and one you should practice often.

Because rarely do events work out according to your original plan.

No plan survives first contact so being able to think adaptively and react accordingly is essential.

Always (always) make the most out of the resources available to you.

The Final Word

Whistling has been an important survival skill for thousands of years.

Of course, back in the day, people used their lips and their hands to do it.

But today, whistles have been refined into a better survival tool.

They are the perfect way to signal for help when you’re stuck in an emergency.

No doubt, whistles have saved countless lives over the years.

They are cheap, effective, and reliable.

They’re an essential survival tool.

An essential piece to anyone’s bug out bag.

So if you take survival seriously (and if you’re reading this, then you do) you must own at least one.

Don’t get caught without one in a situation where attention could have saved your life.

Because that’s the kind of situation that ends badly.

Save your future self and keep an emergency whistle on you at all times.

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