I was a bit surprised to read this under Pine forest event info
Under IOA rules, whistles are compulsory for your safety.

So I looked up the rules
Under rule 9.1 Dress and Equipment
A whistle should always be carried, and shall only be used in an emergency. Controllers having regard to the nature of the terrain or weather conditions may give notice that a whistle shall be carried by all competitors. In such circumstances a Competitor not carrying a whistle shall not be permitted to start the race.

So its the interpretation of \"should\" and \"shall\"
\"Should\" is not compulsory but \"shall\" is.

I have no issue with whistles being compulsory for Pine forest, I have issue that they are because it\'s an IOA rule, which in my opinion they are not.

OK: they used to be compulsory but are no longer unless the controller makes them so. We didn\'t check whistles at the Pine Forest but we had whistles on sale in case anyone wanted one. As a competitor I would always carry one in a forest or mountain event. Experience has shown, however, that you should not carry one on a string around your neck (danger of strangulation) or in your sock (danger of drowning if you go into a deep bog hole). Seriously!

John McC

The difference between shall and should:-
Rule R1.2.4 The word shall will be treated as a command in the Rules
Rule R1.2.5 The word should implies a recommendation with which competitors and officials will endeavor to comply

So the comment that whistles are compulsory under the Rules is incorrect although they could have been if instructed to be carried by the Controller.
Harold White
Controller of Technical Standards

So- Shall we change the wording or should we leave it as it is

I don\'t think it should be changed. It was probably \'shall\' when all events were in forests but there\'s no need for it to be compulsory for park and other small events.