"Boy missing for 4 days at Oregon’s Crater Lake. Searchers comb woods where Sammy Boehlke wandered off during hike."

I'll bet he didn't have a whistle. Eight years old,

It's frustrating. The kid may have been knocked unconscious, and not been able to blow it. A very rare scenario. More likely he just didn't have one, and hollered himself hoarse, then cried himself to sleep. I hope and pray I'm not correct.

More people are found because they had a whistle than any other way. I buy 'em a dozen at a time and give them to people I'm going with. I carry the loudest whistle known to modern man, and buy a new one every time someone comes up with one they claim is louder. Every pack has a whistle tied on.

I took a group of deaf people up Mt. St. Helens once, gave 'em all whistles. I explained their use through an interpreter, that it was as a light at night, which let people know they were there and that they needed help.

One of the deaf fellows held up his hand. I acknowledged him. He acted as if he were blowing the whistle 3 times, and then crouched down as if he were sneaking off and hiding.

Everyone laughed, and I knew they all had the idea.

Arf