Re: [Paddlewise] Storm Whistles

Michael Daly wrote:
> 
> The Fox 40 has a well deserved reputation, but there is a louder
> whistle and it is the one in the Subject line - the Storm
> Whistle.  That's a brand name and for a picture, look below
> the fox 40 photos on this web site: http://www.fastmed.com/Whistle.htm

It would be interesting to run some tests of the Fox 40 versus the Storm
Whistle. I recently tested the Storm Whistle against a small compressed
air horn: the Tempo "Safe&Sound" JR-1, which uses a small canister and
is activated via a button on the top. My test was for "audibility",
which depends on a number of factors, including frequency. The test was
conducted in the presence of substantial background noise, including a
couple of motors with different frequencies. While the results might
vary with different sets of background noises or with different people,
I found that the Storm Whistle was about as good as the air horn. The
air horn could be heard from slightly farther away (a difference of
about 5-10 percent), but the whistle was slightly more "noticeable" at
most distances (a subjective judgment) due to the higher pitch. The
whistle's sound does not blend as well with the background noises I was
using, which helps to make up for its lower energy.
  
While I have always carried an air horn and purchased the whistle for
use as a back-up, based on these tests I wouldn't hesitate to carry just
the whistle. Except in bear country, where I will continue to carry an
air horn. I have found that an air horn is very effective at scaring off
brown bears. 

Dan Hagen
***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not
to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************