Hi folks,
I've just bought myself a Fox 40 whistle to add to my keyring. I'm very pleased with it, it claims to be 120db and I can believe it!
Now, my reason to post this is not about how pleased I am with my purchase but because I've always understood the distress signal with a whistle was six long blasts, rest a minute and repeat. The answering call being three long blasts, rest a minute and repeat. This to be continued until rescuer and rescuee are in site of each other. Of course SOS can also be used with three long, three short and three long blasts.
However, on the packaging for the whistle is a description of the international whistle code which is;
One blast: "Where are you?" Two blasts: "Come to me." Three blasts: "I need help!"
If you hear any of these signals respond with one blast. Each blast should last three seconds.
Can anyone tell me which should be used in a UK setting? The International one seems easier and more logical conveying more information but, I'm an old fashioned kind of bloke and old habits die hard. I think any repeated blowing of a whistle would attract attention, but it would be nice to be using the correct signals in the event of an emergency!
Al