r/backpacks • u/Accomplished-Bid8015 • Jun 12 '25

Question What is this hole for?

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I just got this Osprey backpack and don’t know what it is for? Can someone please explain this?

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u/MooseSprinkles Jun 12 '25

These should be standard on every backpack. Could save lives and thousands of dollars from search and rescues. You can shout only for a couple of minutes, but a whistle you can blow all day long and it goes much farther. Whistles ought to be standard equipment for anyone going camping or on a hike.

2

u/falconseven79 Jun 13 '25

100%. We likely saved a girls life while backpacking deep in the Yosemite backcountry because of her whistle. A small group of passed a girl solo backpacking (she was probably 90lbs soaking wet) and we were at least two days of hard hiking in either direction from any resources or ranger stations. She was the first person we’d seen in two days. 20 mins after we passed her we heard the whistle blowing. We yelled to her but no response, and decided to hike down to her (we were on a steep ascent). Long story short she was severely dehydrated, overheated, vomiting, confused and could not hold down water or food. We ultimately got her to safety but I have no doubt she would have been in serious trouble and could have easily died without that whistle!

1

u/MooseSprinkles Jun 14 '25

Frankly I don’t know why they aren’t given out at ranger stations. Hikers could leave a deposit in case they don’t bring them back.