One of the most important items that we should include in our bug out bags and survival kits are whistles. Whistles represent one of the most-efficient ways to attract attention if we become trapped or lost, and their distinctive sound can travel long distances. They are also very effective alternatives to yelling because whistles don’t place a lot of strain on our vocal cords. All it takes is a little breath to produce a lot of noise, and this can be just what you need to get heard during an emergency. However, it’s also easy to forget to pack or bring a whistle when you head out.
Fortunately, you can improvise one out of a metal lid in just a few seconds. Take a look at the following steps below, and you can add this technique to your survival bag of tricks.
Getting Started
All you need is a metal can, a concrete surface, a small rock for hammering and a nail (or suitable alternative) to puncture a hole in the lid. The first step is to remove the lid from the can. While it is possible to use a survival knife if you don’t have a can opener handy, it can take a lot of time and energy, and you run the risk of cutting yourself in the process. A better alternative is to scrape the lid by rubbing the top of the can against a coarse concrete surface.
Cup the can in your hand, invert it over the surface, and gently apply pressure to the sides of the can as you quickly but firmly scrape it against the concrete. Flip the can over after a few passes, give the sides a good squeeze, and the lid should pop right off. If not, continue to scrape until the lid separates from the sides of the can. Once the lid is detached, scrape the sides against the concrete to remove any jagged edges before folding it in half and hammering it in place with your rock.
The next step is to take the nail or tool and poke a hole in the center of each half. Smooth out any rough edges with the head of the nail, or you can also scrape it against the concrete as well. It’s very important that the edges around the hole are smoothed out in order to minimize the chances of getting cut when you put the lid in your mouth.
Using the Whistle
Place the folded side of the lid into your mouth, and rest your tongue over the top as close to the hole as possible. Press down on the lid as hard as you can with your lips to create a tight seal around the holes and start blowing. The air will whistle as it’s forced through the holes, and the inner-bend of the lid will magnify the sound.
While it may take some practice to get a feel for how to blow without ejecting the lid from your mouth, you shouldn’t need to do anything else to produce a loud and distinctive sound. You can also experiment with different-sized holes, as well as creating wider or narrower spaces between the top and bottom of the lid in order to change the tone of the whistle as well. Try it for yourself, and see how this simple tool can be used to get someone’s attention in an emergency.