Defensive use

[chip100t]

Tactical flashlights are either high only or high first as so you could use them to temporarily blind someone.

Has anyone here ever deliberately shone their light in someone's face, for what reason and did it achieve the outcome you were hoping for?

 

[bykfixer]

Yes and yes. I was zapped by a SureFire 6P in broad daylight by a police officer showing me it only takes about 60 lumens to work.

And if I turned my Stinger strobe on in a low lit room as people walked out 4 outta 5 got disoriented enough to walk into the door frame.

But you don't enough time to stand around and talk smack. You do however have enough time to skee-daddle.

 

[KITROBASKIN]

CPF members are cautioned to consider their remarks in this thread regarding any kind of aggressive or abusive behavior using a flashlight.

Know that those who use flashlights as a method to delay/avoid possible problems in their line of work are probably not going to post their experience in this thread. Weekend Warriors and self-aggrandizers probably will.

It's not complicated, and brief amounts of light are sufficient against night adapted eyes.

CPF has an informative thread written primarily by a European LEO regarding this subject, posted years ago.

 

[chip100t]

I was not after stories of violent encounters, more of the opposite really, some flashlight companies advertise the use of some of their flashlights in a self defence capacity as if it were a common usage.

I just wondered if anyone actually ever felt that just their use of a flashlight as an illumination tool only ever averted a threat, even if that threat may not have been actually real.

 

[raggie33]

i love this thread

 

[ledbetter]

In many countries, and increasingly so in the USA, pedestrians do not have the right of way. A couple of hundred lumens helps ensure I survive a crosswalk, an unlit street, or a distracted driver. Defensive flood not offensive throw is best for this.

 

[Lumen83]

I've never used a flashlight to avert a threat. I've tried it on wild animals to see what they would do. They didn't really do much other than what they were doing in the first place. I don't think you could avert a threat from a two legged creature with the flashlight alone. But what I do think is that it might interrupt someone enough to buy you a second or two to make your actual defensive move. Whatever that may be.

 

[KITROBASKIN]

chip100t that sounds great.

That old CPF thread I mentioned talked mostly about using strobe in a law enforcement scenario involving subjects altered by alcohol and drug use, if memory serves. And really only to buy time for the next strategy. United States LEO were pretty clear about not taking the time to strobe; pretty much reaching for a more definitive method of control.

The consensus regarding deterring dangerous animals here at CPF is to not rely on bright light.

 

[Roger Sully]

Bright are good for a distraction more so than anything else. I used to carry a 2500 lumen light in my pocket when i bounced and would use it on belligerent drunk folks occasionally. It was weird that when i would shine it at someone who was getting ready to brawl they took the bright light as a challenge to see if they could stare into it...."That light doesn't do anything I can look at it without any problem"..well good, now the other guys could wrap you up and escort you out peacefully..

 

[pancakeayaka]

Years ago I went to indoor wargame (airsoft force on force). One of the opponent is around the corner and I shone his face with a 150lumen flashlight. He flinched and pointed the gun away so I didn't get hit. That flashlight did the job and saved me!

 

[Hooked on Fenix]

My use of a flashlight as a defensive tool comes from it's ability to light up someone or something that poses a threat at a distance providing me situational awareness of their presence and a chance to stay away from the threat. First lesson in self defense is distancing. Know how far the bad guy can hit you from and stay out of range. Lighting up an aggressor at close range may stun them for a second, at which point you still have to outrun them after making them angry by blinding them. A flashlight is a poor substitute for proper training in martial arts. If you feel unsafe, don't go out alone at night. Travel in a group.

 

[pnwoutdoors]

Has anyone here ever deliberately shone their light in someone's face, for what reason and did it achieve the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes, as a test.

And, yes, the effect (when within ~20ft or so) is pronounced. Sufficient to cause temporary "dark" (blank) spots in the vision where one cannot see anything nearby. Done it, and had it done on me. Doesn't last long, but it's sufficient to allow quickly moving out of the line of someone's aim (or fire), in order to do something about the threat.

My own tool of choice: Malkoff M61 drop-in module in a SolarForce/LumensFactory body, with crenelated ring. Quite bright enough, for defensive utility. Heavy enough for a small bludgeon, if needed.

 

[sp5it]

For defensive use Maglite 6D worked the best for me.

 

[bykfixer]

For defensive use Maglite 6D worked the best for me.

Doubles as a hammer in a pinch and has an added feature where it can repel rocks or tomatoes tossed at you like one of those souviner bats at the baseball stadium. 👍

 

[knucklegary]

My 6D had teeth gouges (not mine) in the head.
Maglite still offers the 6x configuration. I thought of having one custom printed "Batter-up"

 

[ChrisGarrett]

I carry a gun, all day, everyday, so I'm not worried about a flashlight.

Chris

 

[Monocrom]

I don't use mine to try to blind a potential threat. That doesn't work. And if the only self-defense tool you have is a flashlight.... Hope it at least has a scalloped bezel on there that will physically help you.

I've used mine a couple of times at work recently in the darkened parking lot where I work the graveyard shift. Couple of different lights right around 500 lumens, at the emitter. Works well for getting the attention of those trespassing in their vehicles, parked, and sleeping. I keep it professional. I have my Pepper-spray on me in case they get upset and jump out of their vehicle. But it's never come to that. Politely let them know they need to leave. "Can't sleep here." And they drive off.

I check the lots later on. Never had someone try to sneak back in. Couple of times I've gotten sob stories. Times are tough for almost everyone, nowadays. Cameras everywhere. Boss watches them. Not trying to lose my job for allowing trespassers onto the lots. Wish the place wasn't active at night with legitimate clients coming and going at all hours. Have to keep the gates open. Boss too cheap to pay for vehicle patrols after official business hours.

 

[alpg88]

That is silly, no one who attacks you, will let you use a flashlight on them, in any way, unless you have a handgun mounted to it, if you are an attacker and have an element of surprise it may or may not work, but a person who is alert and is already attacking you, lol, good luck to you. if you could not defend yourself with bare hands against that particular attacker, you still will not be able to do so with a flashlight.

 

[Olumin]

Im no authority on this, but if your'e living in a place where its legal to do so, carry a firearm. Despite what people in online forums tell you (lol), the caliber & capacity hardly matters in the real world. No one wants to get shot no matter the bullet, so don't be discouraged from carrying a lighter & more compact handgun. Guns are a effective deterrent first, lethal weapon second. A knife can be a good deterrent too, no one wants to get stabbed, even if the other person has a bigger knife. They might think twice and break off the attack. If it comes to an actual knife fight tho, your'e probably screwed. But so will be the other guy so better then nothing I guess. Carrying a knife in a place where an attacker is likely is carry a gun is probably inadvisable. I wouldn't carry a flashlight for self defense.

And of cause keep in mind that deterrence, no matter the weapon, often will not work on intoxicated/high people, who might not realize the threat or even see it as a challenge.

 

[alpg88]

............... Despite what people in online forums tell you (lol), the caliber & capacity hardly matters in the real world. No one wants to get shot no matter the bullet, so don't be discouraged from carrying a lighter & more compact handgun. ......................

And of cause keep in mind that deterrence, no matter the weapon, often will not work on intoxicated/high people, who might not realize the threat or even see it as a challenge.

That is where a caliber/capacity talk comes up. you never know who you might have to defend yourself from. It could be a wildlife too, however nowadays you do not have to compromise weight for power, but this is a topic for a separate thread.