We geologists could not perform our field tasks without the proper gear. In this column, we will try to unravel what are these essential items. A number of us to some extreme bring more than the essential items, and while others are on the minimalistic principle. Generally, we geologists love our field gear. Sometimes there is a hidden competition on who does have the latest and best gear. We look at colleagues with meticulous and googly eyes. Envious or proud of what we got.
In this first series of articles, we bring you the humble whistle, yes, a whistle! I bet you not all of, even the most seasoned, field geologists carry a whistle. Why carry one? Is it essential in performing a geological task? Probably not, but, it could be a lifesaver and excellent for calling attention!
The humble whistle has louder decibels than
a human voice, that it is still used in the underground mines by mine car
transporters for signaling. A whistle produces a lovely musical tone… now I wonder if there are any geologists who can blow a melody using a whistle – then he or she should enlist for an audition in “Geologists Have Talent” – a forthcoming variety show.
It is cheap, light weight… and it comes in all sorts of colours for your little geo-heart desires.
A cautionary statement is now in order. All of the above has been written with certain seriousness and pun. One geo-scientific skill required in practice is to be able to separate fact from fiction. Reading this article and succeeding articles in this series requires that skill.
In the next series, we will look at the all-important geological hand lens. Cheers!
[Originally Published in GeoFalcon, Issue No 2, June 2013]
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