6 Reasons Why You Should Always Carry a Tactical Flashlight

by John Wren

Over the last 20 years, flashlights have made great improvements. Due to the introduction of LED, the huge heavy flashlights you know from days gone were displaced by lights that are more portable and brighter. What might have been seen primarily as a device for camping and hiking, and to have around the house just in case the power went out, has now become a convenient tool to carry every day.

Initially, a flashlight may not seem like much, except as a household item that is used at night or during blackouts or to look into places that are dark. But as a daily carry tool, tactical flashlights have far more uses than what you know. You will be kept in the dark if you don’t have one with you when you really need it.

Tactical flashlights can be very useful in a variety of circumstances. The wonderful thing about flashlights is that wherever you go, you can always take them with you. Unlike a knife or a gun, you are allowed to take it anywhere. And it won’t be a problem if you are in a public place and a flashlight drops out of your pocket or bag.

In this article, we will list and discuss some of the practical reasons to carry a tactical flashlight.

Self-Defense

A tactical flashlight is an outstanding tool for self-defense. It incorporates the power of a blinding an attacker with the advantages of the palm stick. It’s hard to imagine how powerful an incredibly blinding strobe light could be until you are glowing in the dark with one. All you could see is light, and then afterward, you would see black as your eyes adjust to the change when the light goes off. Imagine therefore what your assailant will sustain, as he gets hit in the balls, smacked in the solar plexus, or pounded in the face with what equates to a thick metal bolt right after losing his vision. It is not only a great tool for self-defense, but it is also something that you can carry anywhere with you, even in places where it is illegal to carry weapons of any kind.

Prevention should always be your first option. It should then be your second option to use your flashlight as a deterrent, rather than as a weapon. If possible, it is always best to avoid physical contact. When you keep your distance and blind a potential attacker, you may be able to escape. Otherwise, strategies such as empty hand combinations where you replace the light with elbows or hand strikes would work.

Since most people naturally cover their faces with their hands after a bright light has flashed, it is generally recommended to either punch or kick low, or grab and smack the lead hand down as an opening move to attack the head with the flashlight. This type of palm stick defense also tends to work well after a flash attack and can be performed on the throat, face, solar plexus, or sternum. As with everything else, you have to train with this type of tool in order to effectively use it. So if you choose to carry a self-defense flashlight, you should learn how to use it well during training time.

It’s also an important thing to consider that you must already have the flashlight in your hand. Just keeping it in your purse or pocket won’t do you any good. To effectively use a tactical flashlight as a self-defense tool, you must carry it in your hand while you walk around.

Emergencies

Apart from being attacked, there are also other cases of emergency where a tactical flashlight can be beneficial. Your tactical flashlight will send out a powerful light beam to ask for help when your car breaks down or when you get into an accident at night on a darkened road. Many are also equipped with emergency flashing signals. If you get separated from your partner, your flashlight and your walkie talkies will certainly help you find each other. And in the case of a natural disasters such as a hurricane, blizzard, tornado, or flood, you will often have to find your way through a powerful bright light. Similarly, if you witness an accident, you may need to bring a reliable and powerful light to shed on the situation in order to determine the condition of someone. It could mean their death or survival.

Illumination

A flashlight’s main purpose is to give you illumination in the dark. Be it looking for the correct key, searching for things under your bed or sofa, walking at night time, or when needing an alternative light source throughout a power interruption, having a tactical flashlight in your bag or pocket always comes in handy. 

Although most people nowadays have a flashlight application on their mobile phone, you wouldn’t want to keep it on it for a prolonged time period. That could deplete the battery which could be bad, particularly in cases of a power disruption. And most of all, when you need it for self-defense, the brightness of your cell phone’s flashlight is not sufficient to provide you with enough light to see in the dark. Evil lurks in the darkness. Using a tactical flashlight helps you recognize threats concealed in the dark and potentially avoid them before they even strike.

You can carry tactical flashlights in lightweight, compact sizes in your pocket, handbag, or backpack. This implies that should you ever walk home alone at night and feel like you may be in danger or just in a location where you feel that you are unsafe, you can walk in confidence with the tactical flashlight in your hands. You can easily light it up the way if it gets too dark. A tactical flashlight can also cover a long distance if you narrow the beam.

This not only helps with protection against possible attackers or robbers, but it also helps to ensure that you can walk on a road and know that every step you take won’t result in an ankle roll.

Starting a Fire

Using a tactical flashlight to start a fire can be accomplished in a few various ways. The first method is just for survival cases since it requires breaking the light bulb. This must be cautiously done as you only want to crack the outer glass and not the internal filament. You can use a piece of tinder in the top of the light around the filament if your filament is intact and turn the light on. The second way is by using the flashlight cap’s protective glass lens to magnify the sun onto tinder during the daytime. The third method is applicable only to certain tactical flashlights with a very high concentration of lumens. When the light from the flashlight is concentrated on the tinder the flammable material may ignite.

Here are the steps in starting a fire with a tactical flashlight using the first method.

  1. The first step is to gather all the materials that you would need and that includes:
    • A tactical flashlight
    • Tinder (Something like dead grass or leaves that would ignite safely)
    • Secondary tinder (This could be a stack of dead grass that can be used to make a campfire)
  2. Break the flashlight’s glass cover and remove the glass from it. Make sure that you’re not damaging anything else.
  3. Then break the glass of the bulb carefully so it won’t damage the filament inside.
  4. Screw the remnants of the bulb back onto the tactical flashlight.
  5. Place the tinder at the top of the flashlight and fill it up to the top. Before it finally ignites, it may take you a few tries.
  6. Move the fire to the secondary tinder on the ground immediately until the fire is transferred. Then throw all the fire from the flashlight onto the campfire and then distance yourself away from it.

Scare Off Animals

A tactical flashlight is a handy tool to frighten off animals or wild creatures. It would have more impact on animals than humans because the flashlight will trigger a greater level of disorientation and confusion on animals than on people. This effect is harmless. So you don’t have any catastrophic consequences to concern yourself about. You can freely escape from the site and head to a safer and more secure location.

You may encounter wild animals while hiking in the mountains or walking in the forest at night. A high-performance flashlight can be used to successfully ward off a predator such as a mountain lion, grizzly, or a black bear that can sometimes be aggressive. It could make them momentarily disoriented when you aim the beam in their direction.

Tactical flashlights can also help scare off domestic animals such as dogs. Although dogs are considered to be man’s best friend, some of them are trained to be the worst enemy of a stranger, and you would often find that type when you’re alone late at night. By aiming your flashlight in their eyes of someone’s guard dog that managed to jump the wall, you could potentially neutralize them. Even if it won’t do any long term damage, it will immobilize them long enough for you to escape.

Legal in Every State

Are tactical flashlights legal? Yes, a tactical flashlight is legal in every state. They are absolutely legal because they integrate all the elements of standard flashlights while offering higher brightness packed in a tight, durable case. This kind of flashlight looks a little bit different from the standard ordinary flashlights that you can buy in retail stores.

Many states put a restriction on what their people are permitted to carry for self-defense. If you are prohibited to carry a knife or gun and do not like the possibility of spraying yourself with pepper spray, then perhaps a high-quality tactical flashlight is an excellent option for self-defense that is legal to carry in any state. Of course, there are also other self-defense options.

Best Selling Tactical Flashlights

Bestseller No. 1
2 Pack Tactical Flashlights Torch, Military Grade 5 Modes 3000 High Lumens Led Waterproof Handheld Flashlight for Camping Biking Hiking Outdoor Home Emergency
  • Super Bright with 5 Modes - Powerful high Lumen LED generates a brilliant large area floodlight or a perfectly focused spotlight over a beam distance of 656ft/200m. Adjustable focus with 5 modes:...
  • Adjustable Focus - Adjustable focus for use in different situations (just rotate the flashlight head to adjust). The LED flashlight allows you to select focus between spot and flood beams.
  • Waterproof & High Quality - The flashlight is waterproof and is made of aluminum alloy and rubber. Durable aluminum alloy crust, abrasion resistance.
  • Widely Used - Easy to carry with you as a backup and is small enough to fit in your pocket, handbag, drawer, or car compartment. Takes 3 standard AAA or a single rechargeable. No Lithium Batteries are...
  • What You Will Get: 2 x LED Flashlights, 2 x Battery Tubes, 2 x AAA Battery Holders (Batteries are not Included), and 2 x Lanyards (Hand Straps).
Bestseller No. 2
ULTRAFIRE Tactical Flashlight with Holster, Single Mode LED Flashlight 1000 High Lumen Duty Flashlights with Belt Holster and Charger, Bright Small Flash Light WF-501B
  • 【Super Bright & Long-Lasting】UltraFire WF-501B tactical flashlight with high output of up 1000 Lumen, the maximum beam length is nearly 920ft (280 meters). Especially suitable for hiking, camping,...
  • 【One Mode Operation】Only single mode, no multiple different modes to cycle through to get to what you need, just ON and OFF!
  • 【Durable & IPX-65 Water Resistant】Made of aerospace grade aluminum alloy, anti-pressure and anti-fall, wear-resistant anodizing. Mini flashlight is IPX-65 waterproof and can withstand most extreme...
  • 【High Quality Flashlight Holster】UltraFire 402 flashlight holder is made of durable Nylon material. Lightweight and convenient to carry. Holster can fix the flashlight on your pocket and belt,...
  • 【Hassle-free】just feel free contact us when you have problems! Providing the highest quality for all is our primary goal. Get your tactical flashlight with holster TODAY!
Bestseller No. 3
Rechargeable Flashlights High Lumens, 950000LM Powerful Tactical Flashlights, 5 Modes LED Flashlight Adjustable, Brightest Flashlight Waterproof, Handheld Flash light for Emergencies, Camping, Hiking
  • Flashlights High Lumens: IkeeRuic rechargeable flashlights are equipped with a super bright P70.2 LED chip, to produce up to 950,000 lumens brightness. With high powered flashlight, meeting your...
  • LED Flashlight Rechargeable: Equipped with an upgraded 5000mAh battery, tactical flashlights high lumens can work for 12hours after fully charged. There are fast-charging Type-C port to ensure high...
  • Adjustable & 5Mode Flash Light: Super bright flashlight has adjustable focus function as floodlight for wider area when zoom in or spotlight for longer distance when zoom out by stretching the top of...
  • Waterproof & Multi-Function: Flashlight rechargeable is made of aviation grade aluminum alloy and sealed design, achieving IP67 waterproof and shatter-resistant. With multi-functional design: (1) With...
  • IkeeRuic Flashlight Package: Flashlights are packed with 1*led flashlight, 1*rechargeable battery, 1* type-c charging cable, 1* dry battery fix bracket, 1* carrying lanyard and 1* gift box. If you...
Bestseller No. 4
Streamlight 88062 ProTac 2L-X 500-Lumen EDC High Performance Multi-Fuel LED Tactical Flashlight, Includes CR123A Batteries, Holster, and Clip, Rechargeable, Durable, Black
  • Multi-Fuel Innovation: uses two CR123A batteries (included) and Streamlight’s SL-B26 protected Li-Ion USB rechargeable battery pack (not included)
  • High for maximum illumination; 500 lumens; 165m beam; runs 2.75 hours with included CR123A batteries; push-button tactical tail switch allows one-handed operation of momentary, variable intensity, or...
  • Streamlight's TEN-TAP Programming; three user selectable programs; 1) high/strobe/low; 2) high only; 3) low/high
  • Durable, anodized aluminum construction; includes removable pocket clip and nylon holster
  • IPX7 waterproof to 1m for 30 minutes; 2m impact resistance tested
Bestseller No. 5
GearLight LED Tactical Flashlights High Lumens - Mini Flashlights for EDC Carry - Compact Powerful Emergency Flashlights Made from Military-Grade Aluminum - Drop Resistant and Water Resistant
  • BRIGHT - The upgraded TAC LED flashlights cast a wide beam, effortlessly illuminating an entire room or backyard while remaining small enough for everyday carry.
  • DURABLE - This mini flashlight boasts a virtually indestructible design. Crafted from military-grade aluminum, it’s water-resistant and can withstand a 10-foot drop.
  • COMPACT - Small yet powerful, this bright flashlight easily fits in your pocket, backpack, or purse. Its simple one-touch technology delivers a consistent, powerful beam whenever needed. Perfect for...
  • VALUE - The emergency flashlight set includes (2) TAC flashlights, (2) AAA battery holders (batteries not included), (2) battery tubes, (2) lanyards, (2) belt clips, and (1) operation guide.
  • SIZE - Measuring 5.31 x 1.48 x 1.48 inches, this tactical flashlight is perfect as a camping companion and can be relied upon during power outages, roadside repairs, and safety emergencies making it...

The tactical flashlight is more than just an ordinary flashlight. It is a first-class self-defense and survival tool that will help you navigate the world in a safer and more efficient way. It is a piece of important equipment not only for police officers or rescue personnel but also for common people who need it for emergency situations. So try to ensure that you don’t leave home without carrying a tactical flashlight with you and make sure that you know how to use it appropriately.

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