Why You Should Use a Flashlight for Self-Defense

Flashlights are so bright now they can force someone to:

Prepare to defend yourself

Threat detection on its own is not easy, so you should positively identify if someone is a threat first before attacking them.

Attach a Tactical Ring Clip

A Tactical Ring Clip can be added to many flashlights to improve the grip while also gaining the added ability to clip to a pocket or a belt. Motor control can become less precise during stressful situations so it is extremely important that the flashlight is easy to locate and the motions are quick and instinctual. This step is important to practice again and again.

Preset Flashlight to Start With Strobe Mode

The darker the environment the more vulnerable a person is to experiencing temporary flash blindness. Even during the day, if you’ve ever driven towards a sunset, you will have a hard time looking directly into the light. The Strobe Mode causes the pupils to dilate and the random pattern of flashing reduces the brain's ability to see clearly. Plus, the Strobe Mode is set to the flashlight's max luminosity with the click of a button. Easy to operate = Best results. Use the Strobe.

When Far Away

In a dark environment, just being able to see clearly when others can’t makes a flashlight on its own extremely useful.

If someone had evil intent, their actions might be influenced knowing they can be easily seen by you and possibly others.

Shining the light too early will give him time to think and his eyes will adjust. He will then figure out how to protect his eyes and defend himself against the flashlight and you.

*If the suspect is clearly running at you, shine the light on the target as early as possible with the intent to defend.

When Nearby

In a dark environment, just being able to see clearly when others can’t makes a flashlight on its own extremely useful.

Wait till the person is a couple yards away from you. Shine the flashlight at their eyes holding the light with an ice pick grip near your head.

This method will give you the greatest element of surprise. The assailant will likely not have planned for this, so they will not quickly adapt.

You can take advantage of their compromised vision and confusion to strike the individual in the head with an ice pick motion when they are unprepared. Take this opportunity to run away and make as much noise as possible to attract attention. The bright light will make you highly visible so make sure to leave the light on during your escape.

You should look for the brightest flashlights in your price range

Even a 1000 Lumen flashlight can be effective at temporarily blinding someone, however generally speaking the greater the luminosity the brighter your flashlight. The higher the brightness, the more effective your light will be at averting their gaze providing the perfect opportunity to strike.

A Force multiplier is something that localizes the force into a smaller area

Consider using the tactical ring mentioned earlier to keep your flashlight in the palm of your hand so that it doesn’t fall out when striking. Crenulated Bezels can be used as force multipliers.

Heavier flashlights hit harder

You will likely prefer to have a flashlight that is small and light, however a flashlight that is too small and too light might not create the distance and impact necessary to escape.