Can you remember how popular those
long, heavy Maglites were in the 90s? Just about every driver kept
one in their car, and it wasn’t just in case they needed to see
something in the dark. While the largest flashlights are still
physically imposing, the length and weight of a flashlight is no
longer how its defense capabilities are rated.

Learn how a flashlight can help you to defend yourself in certain situations, and what features to look for when buying your next tactical flashlight. If you’re interested in protecting your homestead as well then feel free to check out the guide on Pointoptics.com.

Flashlights are for more than just
helping you find your keys in the dark. A tactical flashlight can
save your life when used as a defensive weapon.

• It can be used to break free from
  a wrist hold or wrist lock
  
• Used to add weight and rigidity to
  a punch
  
• Used as a threat of pain
  compliance tool
  
• It can add heft as an impact
  weapon
  
• It can temporarily blind your
  attacker
  
  
• It can cause the threat of
  violence to recede
  

That’s a lot of benefit coming from
something that can fit on your belt or in your hand. By far the best
thing about an EDC (everyday carry) flashlight, is that you are able
to take it into non-permissive environments. This is why sales of
flashlights continue to flourish in countries that have a ban on
personal firearms, such as the U.K.

Suffice it to say, but these are more
than just discreet, handheld lights and they definitely won’t
attract as much attention as a gun or a knife.

Also, make sure to equip yourself with
the sufficient knowledge about self-defense
basics, especially when traveling.

What Size Flashlight Should You Buy?

The size of a flashlight is correlated to how it should be used for defense. It might feel safe to have a light the size of a baseball bat in your hand, like the Maglite 6-cell-D, but ultimately, using a light in that size takes the everyday carry option completely off the table. Also, if you plan on detracting attention away from the fact you are carrying a tactical flashlight, bigger is definitely not better.

On the other side of the argument, if you prefer to buy one of the smallest models on the market, such as the Olite-S1 with its mini 2.4 inch/6 cm length, and packing an impressive 500-lumen wallop, the Olite-S1 has a weight of around 1 ounce/28 grams. This kind of weight won’t add much heft to a knock on the head, however.

The tactical flashlight you choose must
ultimately suit all the plans you have for it. If you want a light
that you can carry around in a purse or a pocket but also take on
camping trips, go for the smaller models. When your flashlight
preference is for possible conflict resolution, you will need a
handheld light that doubles as personal protection as well.

There was a lot of buzz in 2007, about
a tactical flashlight that would dazzle someone and also render them
so nauseous they would vomit. As there have been no updates on this
gadget since 2010, it’s safe to presume that the tech has not made
it to mass production or the science was flawed.

Small Penlight

Pros: The specs you should be
looking at are 5 inches/12 cm or shorter. If it uses AAA batteries,
it will be narrow and slim and you will be able to palm it easily.
Any small light using AA or AAA batteries make a great fist-load
weapon. It will add some rigidity and grasp to a punch, and an
assailant won’t even know it’s in your fist. They also take up
minimal pocket space.

Cons: A slim pocket-size
penlight can’t be used as a baton. It’s not intimidating unless
it comes with powerful lumen strength. Some penlight models have
limited battery life.

Medium Size Tactical Flashlight

Pros: Most models between
lengths of 5 to 7 inches (12cm to 18cm) are in the medium-size
category. They are the perfect balance between portability and
balance. Almost all flashlights of this size use CR123, AA, or
rechargeable battery power. The CR123 and rechargeable types will
generally have a wider diameter and greater weight. This also
indicates more intense lumen capabilities with a longer battery life
– not to mention a significantly higher blunt force power when used
to strike.

As a defensive weapon, a medium-size
flashlight isn’t very effective when held in a hammer-like grip
(the grip you use to hit a nail with a hammer). You are just as
likely to squash your fingers against the surface on impact, as you
are to inflict any damage on someone’s head. The medium size model
is most effective when held like an icepick (think the shower scene
in the movie “Psycho”) and used to rain multiple blows down upon
someone’s head.

What about if my assailant is taller
than I am. Can I still hit them with a tactical flashlight? You
might be asking yourself this question. If you are shorter than your
attacker, you can strike upwards into the throat or groin. If you are
on the ground or on one knee, you can punch at the kneecap.

Cons: You should check how many
lumens the
medium size flashlight has before you buy one. This will ensure it is
still bright enough to render someone blind long enough for fight or
flight. If your hands are small, you will have a bit of trouble
hiding the fact you have something in them. There are some medium
size EDCs that will only fit onto a belt with a clip or in a holster.

Larger Size Lights

Pros: Depending on your hand
size, a larger flashlight can be between 7 to 8 inches (18cm to 20cm)
and longer. The diameter and length is determined by the size of the
LED housing and how many batteries it uses. Because large lights
usually have multiple batteries or rechargeable cells, the increase
in power means the lumens, beam throw, mode options, and runtime all
get a big boost.

Large size flashlights deliver
considerable blunt force trauma. The length and weight enables the
carrier to unleash some punishing hits equivalent to a baton. The
size also allows you to inflict a wider range of defense techniques
and tactics. You can swing out using the hammer grip and connect with
any body part with stunning impact. Even a hammer hold grip swing
could break a person’s knuckles if they were lunging out for you.

Cons: There’s no getting
around the laws of momentum. A large flashlight adds a sizeable
weight to your backswing, which in turn slows down your return swing,
and subsequently leads to a window of vulnerability. Plus, say
goodbye to discreetness and portability.

Features to Look Out For

Your flashlight must have easy enough
control buttons for you to be able to turn it on in a millisecond.
Your light must also stay in one piece and operative after multiple
impact hits. This is why it’s really important to buy a tactical
flashlight, and not a simple penlight or handheld light.

Light: You need a LED –
light-emitting diode – not a halogen or incandescent bulb, in the
LED housing head. LEDs are extremely durable because they don’t
contain a flimsy breakable filament. LED produce exponentially more
lumens too. Remember that one of the most efficient defense tactics
is your ability to blind an assailant.

N.B. Although the tactical flashlight
is most effective at night or in the dark, it can still be used to
blind an attacker in dimly lit underground garages and cellars during
the day.

Body: Only consider buying a
flashlight with an aluminum body. Aluminum is impact-resistant,
corrosion-resistant, lightweight, and conducts heat well. Some
tactical flashlight manufacturers add an extra rubber over-mold to
increase comfort, traction, and heat protection. High-impact, durable
polymer works just as well, but anything else will crack the first
time it makes contact with a hard surface (such as a head).

Bezel: Crenulated bezels (the
pointy, sharp “crown” around the flashlight head rim) will
definitely bring the pain. It can puncture skin, blind, and break
teeth. The only problem is, what you gain in pain infliction
capabilities, you will lose in discreetness. Also, expect hassles
from the TSA. A smooth bezel will hit just as hard.

Just
look at the crenulated bezel on this Jetbeam Jet II-Pro XP-L-Hi-510

Flashlight Fighting Tips

• If your Spidey-senses are tingling
  or you hear a noise downstairs, always point your light at the
  ceiling first before you switch it on. This will prevent blinding
  backsplash and diffuse the light into the rest of the room.
  
  
• Use your
  voice. Verbal commands such as “Don’t come any closer, you’ll
  regret it,” or “Stop now,” said in an authoritative
  voice and accompanied with a blinding light will be a forceful
  deterrent and even lead to a complete backdown. This is also a good
  way of alerting any nearby witnesses about a possible dangerous
  situation, in addition to provide you with a credible police
  statement.
  
• Strobe lights are the best way to
  disorient an attacker who doesn’t back off after a warning
  command. Spring into action the second you have turned it on as the
  strobe will hide the fact that your first strike is coming.
  
  

Now that you have a better idea of how
to use a flashlight to defend yourself, you can pass on the news that
these items are so much more than an illumination tool. You can use a
tactical flashlight to see in the dark when you’ve dropped your
keys, or you can give an attacker a headache for days. All that
matters is that you have one on hand whenever you need it.