The of the best and cheapest pieces of safety gear that every paddler should own is a whistle. I have the Fox 40 on all of my PFDs and it has saved me!
For that little Fox 40 to do that it needed to be accessible. Not hidden away in a pocket, clipped in or on an extended leash.
To ensure that it is at hand I am prepared to compromise on having something hanging off my PFD. In this case it sits on my left shoulder strap on my PFD. As I am right handed I find this the most convenient and accessible spot. I can if needed use the whistle without the use of my hands. Imagine clinging on to a greasy boulder after a missed eddy on a crux move and you’ll get the idea.
The whistle has been tied onto the PFD using some cord and a plastic clip. If the whistle were to snag the plastic clip will pull free. I’ve tested it!
So why the Fox 40. Put simply it is super loud and has no moving parts. I’ve had the same whistles for years. I have one on each of my PFDs and also carry one clipped in to each of rucksacks. So I have quite a few.
Leave a Reply