A tactical flashlight is a great tool for self-defense. It can help you see in the dark, and it can also be used to blind an attacker. A flashlight can also be used as a weapon, and it can be very effective if you know how to use it.
In this post, GuardYourHealth will walk you through how to properly use a tactical flashlight for self-defense.
What is a Tactical Flashlight?
A flashlight that has been specifically made for tactical applications, such as usage by the military or law enforcement, is known as a tactical flashlight. In order to be durable and damage-resistant, tactical flashlights are often smaller than standard flashlights and built of weapon-grade aluminum.
It was originally intended for the military or law enforcement personnel to utilize tactical flashlights in conjunction with firearms or mounted to weapons for low-light target identification and shooting.
Tactical flashlights have a lot brighter light than ordinary flashlights. A marksman could aim a weapon and illuminate a target simultaneously by using a bright spotlight and a weapon.
What Are a Tactical Flashlight’s Basic Purposes?
The tactical flashlight was initially created as a tool for law enforcement and military personnel to use with a firearm. The tactical flashlight would be used in conjunction with a gun or mounted on a weapon to identify and shoot targets in poor light.
Tactical flashlights can be used in a variety of ways as a self-defense tool in dangerous situations and are a great self-defense tool for everyday people today.
Here are several applications for a tactical flashlight:
Illumination
Small, portable, tactical flashlights can fit in your pocket, purse, or handbag. They are perfect (and highly advised) for always having about you to offer light when it is required. Your flashlight will come in handy by providing you with some strong light if you find yourself walking in a dark or risky place at any time of day or night.
Tactical flashlights are made to be at least 200 lumens bright—much brighter than a conventional flashlight—and if you focus the light, it can go a fair distance. This not only illuminates an area where you might feel uneasy, but it also aids in frightening away potential assailants or thieves and avoiding hidden dangers.
- Read more: How Many Lumens For Self-Defense Flashlight
Emergency Circumstances
When the lights go out, we usually reach for a flashlight, and a tactical flashlight will be especially useful because it emits extremely intense light. It can also provide much-needed illumination in an emergency situation if you run into it at night.
Sending a Help Signal
The ability to signal for assistance is another fantastic general usage for tactical flashlights. If you have broken down on the side of the road, you can use your flashlight to signal to other motorists for aid. If you are stranded on a mountain or in the woods, you can use your flashlight to signal search-and-rescue teams for assistance.
As a Practical Tool
Specially made to be strong, resilient, and able to survive rigorous handling, tactical flashlights. They are the ideal utility tool since they are composed of high-grade aluminum and have serrated edges around the bulb area.
In an emergency, they can be used to smash automobile windows or as a tool for pounding or grinding hard surfaces. As will be covered in more detail later, they can also be used as self-defense.
Why Men Need Always to Carry a Flashlight
Before we discuss how to use a tactical flashlight for self-defense, let’s first discuss why you should start carrying a flashlight even if you don’t intend to use it to fend off potential assailants. A tiny, tactical flashlight is one of the most practical and adaptable tools a man may have in his everyday Carry pack, right behind a pocket knife.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve found myself in predicaments when a flashlight would have come in useful but was instead left stumbling in the dark. Think back to the other day. I was attempting to repair an audio output connection on our TV, but I was unable to see anything behind the stand.
I had to search my home for a flashlight as a result. If I had only kept a little flashlight and my knife in my pocket, I could have spared myself around 15 minutes.
And electrical power can go out at any time and for extended periods of time, as the residents of the Eastern Seaboard discovered firsthand last week. You can explore your dark flat more quickly and avoid toe stubs if you have a flashlight with you.
A flashlight can be a useful tool for self-defense in addition to helping you replace electrical connections or find your way around your house in case of a power outage.
How to Use a Tactical Flashlight for Self Defense
Recognizing Threats
In a dark place, a super-bright tactical flashlight is an ideal weapon to carry because it may help you spot any potential enemies that might be hiding in the shadows. By scanning the area with the light, you’ll be able to see where you’re going, and any hazards and possibly scare off any prospective exploiters who could have been waiting in the shadows.
Disorients Assailants Momentarily
Compared to normal flashlights, which have a light output range of between 15 and 100 lumens, tactical flashlights have a range of 200–1000 lumens. Because of this, tactical spotlights are brighter than regular flashlights and make excellent weapons for blinding potential attackers.
Shine the tactical spotlight into the attacker’s eyes if you ever come across a potential threat. They’ll be caught off guard by this and probably cover their face with their hands to block the light. The intensity of the light may also momentarily blind or confuse them, giving you the opportunity to counterattack or flee.
Unusual Weapon
The majority of tactical flashlights on the market have a serrated or toothed bezel. In order to be able to break automobile windows in an emergency, this feature was included to the flashlight’s design. The tactical flashlight’s razor-sharp bezel edges can potentially be utilized as a striking tool during an unplanned attack.
You can use the flashlight as a weapon by striking your adversary in the face with the toothed bezel as hard as you can once you’ve blinded him/her with the strong light and caught them off, guard. This is an effective method of self-defense with only your flashlight, even if you have never received self-defense instruction.
Use your tactical flashlight as a binding tool.
When protecting yourself, the surprise is a powerful asset. If you see an enemy approaching, you can use your tactical flashlight to blind him.
Your tactical flashlight’s increased power comes in handy now. The powerful light output of a tactical flashlight will blind and disorient your adversary for much longer than a regular flashlight. This will buy you time to run, ask for aid, or incapacitate them further.
Do not fight your opponent further if they are already stunned, and you may escape. This is especially true if you’re new to hand-to-hand combat. The purpose of self-defense is to limit harm. With this in mind, it’s usually best to flee away and get to safety fast.
Read also: how to pack a tactical backpack.
What are Features Important in a Tactical Flashlight?
We now understand the value of a tactical flashlight as a self-defense tool. Which one should you buy now? There are hundreds of various tactical flashlight models available, and ultimately, whatever one you choose will depend on your preferences or your financial situation.
However, the following are some features to consider while choosing a tactical flashlight for daily use:
Size: You need a compact model to fit daily use in your pocket or purse. The flashlight should ideally not be larger than your palm.
Light Output: The flashlight should produce at least 120 lumens of light. The brighter the flashlight, the better in this situation because anything less than 120 lumens will not cast a bright enough light for the flashlight to be employed as an effective self-defense instrument.
Simplicity: Choose a straightforward tactical flashlight with a bezel edge and powerful brightness. Several different flashlights available come with extra features, including SOS capabilities, brightness output adjusters, and other things. Keep things straightforward so that you won’t struggle to locate the correct button when you really need to turn on the flashlight.
Waterproof: To ensure that your tactical flashlight functions for you in any environment, it should be weatherproof, waterproof, corrosion-resistant, and shock-resistant. Nothing is worse than needing a strong light in the rain and having your flashlight malfunction!
Rugged Housing: Your tactical flashlight should have durable housing that can endure being dropped, kicked, or handled while yet being portable. Pick a flashlight composed of hard-anodized (Type III) aluminum since it is lightweight and incredibly durable. Additionally, check to see if the flashlight’s metal has been machined for a secure grip.
LED Bulb Type: Compared to incandescent lights, which tend to break easily when dropped and quickly drain batteries, LED bulbs are more resilient and energy-efficient.
Established Brand: It’s a good idea to choose an established brand rather than a low-cost imitation since tactical flashlights, like any other product, are best purchased with a warranty. Well-known manufacturers like STKR Concepts provide a selection of flashlights, from simple to technical ones, along with a one-year warranty to cover any accidents.
Using a Tactical Flashlight Properly
It can seem obvious to wield a flashlight, whether it is a military one or not. A tactical flashlight, however, can be held in various ways and employed in various circumstances.
The “Icepick” position, in which the light is held at eye level, is the best choice for holding a tactical flashlight. Another common technique to carry a flashlight is under your arm, as though you’ve just taken it out of your pocket.
When you’re in a defensive position or facing a potential attacker, there are a few different ways to handle a tactical flashlight. These techniques can be employed without a pistol, though they are most often utilized in conjunction with shooting a weapon.
Without A Weapon
You should always carry and hold the flashlight in your strong hand, which is typically your writing hand, while you are not carrying a weapon. Then you can perform various actions with your off-hand, including opening doors or repositioning objects.
Keep the tactical flashlight in your dominant hand while employing it as a self-defense tool because it has more strength than your off-hand. You want to use as much force as you can when striking.
The flashlight should be held in a manner that is most comfortable for you, but you should always keep the bezel edge in a striking position. Having your thumb on the same side as the strike force is a good hand position.
Read more: how to set up a tactical vest
Holding A Handgun And A Tactical Flashlight
The FBI Method
A tactical flashlight can also be used in conjunction with a firearm as a self-defense tool. The flashlight will not only make it easier for you to avoid obstacles and navigate the darkness, but it will also assist you in identifying targets in low light and may even briefly blind or stun the attacker.
The FBI Technique, so named because it was a tactic employed by Federal Bureau of Investigation agents, is a well-liked way to hold a tactical flashlight in a protective position. Your strong hand will be holding the gun, so use your supporting hand to grab the flashlight and wrap your fingers and palm around its body. Your thumb should be on the tail cap.
Aim the flashlight towards the target while raising the arm, holding it high and away from the shoulder providing support. The idea behind this tactic is that if an enemy is armed and fires shots, they will miss you in favor of the light source.
Read more: How Many Lumens For Self-Defense Flashlight
Harries Method
The Harries Technique, which involves holding the flashlight exactly below the pistol, was invented by firearms instructor Michael Harries. Your strong hand will be holding the gun, so use your supporting hand to grab the flashlight and wrap your fingers and palm around its body. Your thumb should be on the tail cap.
Put the flashlight you’re carrying in your supporting hand underneath the gun’s magazine that you’re holding in your strong hand. As you raise the strong hand with the supporting hand, cross your arms at the wrists and forcefully squeeze the backs of both hands together. This method illuminates the possible threat while adding stability to the shooting hand.
The Neck-Index Method
The neck-index technique is an effective and secure way to grip a handgun and tactical flashlight. Customarily hold the flashlight at the point where your neck and shoulder naturally bend, with the palm and fingers wrapped around the body and the thumb resting on the tail cap.
Rogers Method
The Rogers Technique, created by retired FBI agent Bill Rogers, is a little more complex technique for holding a flashlight in a defensive position and necessitates the use of a battle ring.
Put the flashlight’s body between your middle and index fingers with your supporting hand. By firmly holding the body and squeezing the tail cap into your hand, you can turn the light on and off.
Once you have the flashlight firmly in your hands, clasp your hands together in a two-handed grip, wrapping your strong hand—the one carrying the gun—with your ring and pinky fingers. Use a simpler approach to holding your tactical flashlight because this technique can be challenging to grasp.
Whatever method you choose to employ for holding your tactical flashlight, make sure to practice it until it becomes second nature since this will provide you an advantage in a defensive situation.
Suggested Tactical Flashlights
As previously said, the B.A.M.F.F. brand of tactical flashlights has a variety of variants to suit every demand and price range. The B.A.M.F.F. range of tactical flashlights has a model for every need, from the entry-level B.A.M.F. 2.0 with 200 lumens to the high-end B.A.M.F. 10.0 with 1,000 lumens of light, a gun attachment kit, and a remote pressure switch.
Conclusion
Undoubtedly, the tactical flashlight is one of the most underappreciated “tactical” gadgets on the market right now. In comparison to the conventional pocket knife or pepper spray, a tactical flashlight gives you many more options for self-defense by acting as a deterrent, a tool for blinding, and an improvised weapon.
Hope that you enjoy this article. Thanks for reading!
