The 3 flashlight secrets that will blow your mind

no matter how many flashlights you own!

We wanted to know what made a tactical flashlight “tactical” and why they were so darn cool. So we polled our network of outdoor experts and tactical field operators to find out what they thought were the most awe inspiring and underrated tactical flashlight uses. Here are the top 3 mind-blowing results

1. SELF-DEFENSE....FOR REAL:

Alright, that makes sense. It is a tactical flashlight after all! But can a flashlight really be used to fend off an attacker? The short answer is: Yes, if you know what you’re doing. Tactical flashlight defense is apparently a two-stage process that has been described as a Flash and Bash or Light and Fight technique. To make this method work the defender holds the light in their dominant hand, the jagged (or “crenellated”) bezel of the light pointing downward, and their thumb on the tail-cap switch.

As the attacker approaches and swings, our victim flashes them in the eyes with a burst of light while step-ping forward to intercept the punch, and raising both forearms up in front, and to the inside of, the swinging arm. As the defender’s trailing arm grabs hold of the attacker’s arm, the flashlight is thrust forward to apply a strike, or constant pressure (both seem to work), from the business end of the light to specific pain points under or behind the ear, on the temple, the collarbone or down on the top of the shoulder.

If the light is being held upward in the hand (like you’d hold a spoon) it can also be shoved up under the chin while pulling down on the arm, shirt or shoulder of the attacker with the other hand.

“The light can act like a roll of quarters to solidify your striking fist. . . or you can use ¡t as a tool to disorient an attacker and inflict maximum discomfort. . . it really sucks to get hit with!” says BK, a former college wrestler and our residentjujitsu guy. “The combina-tion of the light blinding you, and the sharp bezel being pressed into your neck or skull, really screws up your ability to effectively think or react. I still have a mark!”

2. BREAKING A CAR WINDOW:

We’ve all heard that one guy at the bar tell how he punched through a car window with his bare fist, just like in the movies. But can that really happen?

Well, it is possible, but not likely.

Car windows are incredibly strong and impact resistant. You may have had a bird or rock hit your windshield at 70 or 80 mph, for example. The glass can crack, but it usually doesn’t break.

The likely outcome of the average man punching a car window is a broken fist. However, windows can be broken using tools like an awl or glass punch because of the effect of focusing all of your force into a smaller impact point. . .or maximizing pounds of pressure per square inch.

A rigid aluminum tactical flashlight can be an effective tool for breaking glass, especially when using the serrated edge on the bezel to further focus the impact force.

PRO TIP: focus your strike around the edge of the glass, away from the middle of the window. Auto glass is made to flex, not break, and the middle of a window is the most flexible part because it’s the farthest from a solid edge. Don’t just poke at the window. Wear a protective glove and glasses, and drive the bezel end of the light all the way through the glass with a “hammer fist” motion.

3. THE PERFECT RESCUE BEACON:

My first car, while growing up in the mountains of Montana, was an International Scout and that thing was held together with bailing twine and duct tape.

The point is, I broke down... A LOT!

There are many stories of individuals and families becoming stranded on the road in a storm, lost in the woods, or stuck out on the water in a capsized boat. Instances like these happen dozens of times each year. a few with tragic results, and in all types of weather and terrain.

Our field expert, Chris M., gives some great info and advice when it comes to using a tactical flashlight in an emergency situation: “Flashing lights appear brighter than a steady light are more likely to be seen by rescuers than a stationary or solid light alone. Put your light on strobe mode and throw it up on the dash of your car. The windshield shape and glass will amplify the flashing light and draw more attention. Your car becomes one big flashing lantern”

He explains that this might be especially valuable in a blizzard or dense fog if you have to pull to the side of the road. You can use the strobe light to alert oncoming traffic to your presence.

Try these methods with your tac light and see what you think. Just stay away from my car windows.