Imagine walking alone in a dark street with nothing but yourself. You’ll feel defenseless and scared.
At such a time, you feel the importance of having a tactical flashlight with you. You may ask yourself, “Is a tactical flashlight good for self-defense?”
There are so many things that you can do with a tactical flashlight. You can blind your attacker with its light or even knock them out.
Learn more about tactical flashlights and how you can use them for self-defense.
What Is a Tactical Flashlight?
A tactical flashlight is more than a regular flashlight that you can find in your kitchen drawer or a camping flashlight. These flashlights are designed for military applications, search operations, and law enforcement.
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A tactical flashlight is compact and made of sturdy material. It is highly durable and has damage-resistant metal housing.
General Functions of a Tactical Flashlight
Tactical flashlights are used for more than just lighting up a dark place. The following are some of the functions of a tactical flashlight:
- It is used for self-defense purposes.
- It is used to illuminate a large area.
- It is used for emergencies.
- It is used to signal for help.
- It can be used as a utility tool for breaking glass or grinding or mashing hard surfaces.
Is a Tactical Flashlight Good for Self-Defense?
A tactical flashlight is meant explicitly for self-defense purposes. It is much better as a self-defense tool than your regular EDC flashlight.
You can use a tactical flashlight for defense in several ways. You can use it to identify and blind your attacker.
A tactical flashlight is also a handy device that is hard enough to knock out an attacker or intruder.
Essential Features of a Tactical Flashlight
Several essential features of a tactical flashlight make it a good self-defense tool.
- It is compact and portable.
- It produces enough light to blind an attacker.
- It’s made of robust and durable material.
- It is water-resistant.
- It has a strobe mode which allows you to flash the light quickly.
- It makes use of energy-efficient LED bulbs.
- It uses long-lasting lithium-ion batteries.
Self-Defense Functions of a Tactical Flashlight
Here are the self-defense functions of a tactical flashlight.
It Identifies Threats
A tactical flashlight is bright enough to illuminate a large area. You can quickly identify any threats or attackers, even if they are lurking in the shadows. It can also scare off anyone who would have been waiting to take advantage of the situation.
It disorients Attackers Momentarily
Tactical flashlights range between 200 to 1000 lumens, much more than regular flashlights, which vary between 20 and 100 lumens. This light is enough to temporarily blind the attacker and help you escape a problematic situation.
It Is an Improvised Weapon
A tactical flashlight has a serrated edge or toothed bezel, a feature that can be used to break car windows in emergencies. They can also be a striking device when you face an unexpected attack.
You can temporarily blind the attacker and then use it as a striking device to knock out the attacker.
Differences Between a Regular Flashlight and Tactical Flashlight
There are several distinct differences between tactical flashlights and regular flashlights.
- Tactical flashlights are made of more rigid and durable material than regular flashlights.
- Tactical flashlights are water-resistant, while not all regular flashlights are water-resistant.
- Tactical flashlights produce more than 200 lumens, while regular flashlights produce 20-100 light.
- Tactical flashlights can be used for self-defense, while regular flashlights cannot be used for the same.
How to Use a Tactical Flashlight Unarmed
If you’re unarmed, you must always carry the tactical flashlight in your writing hand. It makes it easier to use your other hand to do tasks like moving things aside or opening doors.
Hold it in the most comfortable position, but remember to keep the bezel edge downward in a striking position.
Tactical Flashlight Techniques
Tact flashlights are handled in several techniques, especially in military or law enforcement operations.
- The FBI Technique: It involves holding the tactical flashlight alongside a handgun.
- The Harries Technique: It involves holding the tactical flashlight directly below the firearm.
- The Rogers Technique: It involves holding the tactical flashlight in a defensive position with a combat ring for successful execution.
- The Neck-Index Technique: It is a stable way of holding the tactical flashlight and handgun. The light is held at the intersection of the neck and the shoulder.
Outlighter’s Instagram has descriptive images to help you better understand the different tactical flashlight techniques.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many Lumens are Required for Self-Defense?
A minimum of 120 lumens of light output is required for self-defense purposes.
How Many Lumens Can Blind an Attacker?
A minimum of 120 lumens will blind an attacker for a few minutes. Around 200-300 lumens of light output can cause temporary blindness for a few minutes, giving enough time for the victim to escape from the scene.
Why Are Some Tactical Lights Red?
A red light will significantly lower your light signature, which makes it difficult for others to spot you.
Conclusion
A tactical flashlight is an excellent self-defense tool. It can not only temporarily blind your attacker but also knock him out. The brightness can also help you to identify the attacker and give you enough time to escape from the scene.
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