Multiple Whistles

[tjones1]

Silly question:

Why do some referees (?) have multiple whistles on their lanyard?

[DadofTwins]

In case one quits working.

Or, more likely, in case the referee on the field next to you is already using that same style of whistle. Having a backup allows you to switch so that everybody on both fields knows which whistle is for their field.

[Nevadaref]

Also makes it easier to hold and to find should you drop it. Most soccer refs don't use lanyards.

[Eastshire]

I carry two connected whistles in hand with no lanyard. I don't use a lanyard because I want to be able to blow the whistle and use my hands at the same time. (I think I've seen one or two referees with a neck lanyard in the last decade.) I connect two whistles together because it gives me more to hold onto and a thin spot to stick between my thumb and index finger so I can give open-hand signals even with a whistle in hand.

[bainsey]

I've gone to the hockey whistle just this year. Much better, I say.

[phatneff]

I use a wrist lanyard with a pink whistle. Easy to hold. Easy to give signals. Easy to find. And it shows awareness for breast cancer.