Whistles have been around for a very long time and this little tool has served the same purpose all throughout the centuries, to call someones attention. This has not changed over time and so did the general design of the whistles, only the materials and construction methods varied.

There are two common types of whistles, one is a solid piece of material that has no moving parts and works simply by the mechanics of the air as it passes through the whistle while the other has a small ball inside a compartment, often called a pea, that shakes and bounces around. The bouncing of the pea causes the air to be turbulent and it also makes additional sound as it hits the walls.

The most common use of whistles nowadays is with sporting events and with law enforcement officers. The whistle is used by referees who monitor the game for any violation or event that warrants everybody’s attention. It produces a uniform and loud sound that everyone can hear and identify. Police officers also use the whistle because of this reason. The loud sound can call the attention of any law breaker or just the general public. As a result, the whistle has become an essential part of a police officer’s arsenal and you would hardly see an officer without one. Marching bands also utilize a whistle to convey different types of commands to the band members. The leader of the band is the only one who has a whistle and all the member just listen to him. This is done so that each member knows what to do next as they march across the field, this way their motions look uniform and no one breaks rank.

Although it seems that whistles are only used by people in special occupations, it doesn’t mean that they are the only people who can make use of it. There might be times when you would find out that having a whistle is a great help. You can use a whistle to alert people that you are somewhere in the vicinity. This is particularly useful when you are trapped or lost in a wooded area without any clear bearing on your companions. The loud and piercing sound of a whistle can penetrate much further than shouting, alerting your companions to where you are. It is also much easier to use a whistle than shouting. This means that you can easily signal for help for extended periods of time without depleting your energy quickly. Unlike your voice, which can disappear if you shout too much, a whistle can reliably produce the same loud sound every time.