SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/ski-lost-whistle

How many whistle blasts in a row are a distress signal?

Three blasts of a whistle mean distress or SOS.

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  1. One
  2. Three ✔
  3. Five

Why: Three short whistle blasts mean you need help, and ski patrol and other riders respond to it. Blow three times, pause, listen and repeat. Wear the whistle high on your collar so you can reach it.

Huh, didn't know that: Search and rescue teams listen for three blasts because a single whistle in the mountains can turn out to be a bird or a marmot.

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References

Answer: Three. Three short whistle blasts mean you need help, and ski patrol and other riders respond to it. Blow three times, pause, listen and repeat. Wear the whistle high on your collar so you can reach it.

  1. Big White: Early Season Safety, 6 tips from Ski Patrol www.bigwhite.com/explore-big-white/blog/mountain-safety/early-season-safety-6-tips-ski-patrol
    Three blasts of a whistle is the international sign of distress or SOS.
    Checked 2026-10-10.
  2. Lions Bay Search and Rescue: 3 Blasts, the humble whistle www.lbsar.com/news/3-blasts-the-humble-whistle
    Three short whistle blasts are a distress signal. Blow three times. Pause. Listen. Repeat.
    Checked 2026-10-10.
  3. Be Ready Utah: Emergency Signaling beready.utah.gov/?p=4067
    Three of anything in a repeating sequence is understood to be an international sign of distress.
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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