A Tactical Flashlight Could Save Your Life

When most of us think of flashlights, we’re focused more on convenience than on life-and-death situations. 

We use flashlights when the power goes out in our home to check the fuse box. Or we use it at night in the backyard to see what the dog is barking at. Or we use it any time of day to look under a bed. 

But the fact is, a tactical flashlight can be a lifesaver. In fact, I did some research and came up with 7 different ways a flashlight could help you in an emergency.

Keep reading to learn about ‘em. And then I’ll give you a dozen things to look for in a tactical flashlight, if you’re in the market for one.      

7 ways a flashlight could keep you alive

1. Spotting danger in the darkness. If you find yourself walking in a dark area – due to a power outage or if you’re camping in the woods – a flashlight is a big help for finding your way, avoiding pitfalls, and spotting dangerous wildlife.
   
   
2. Escaping from a hazard zone. If there were a crisis like a blackout, flood, or chemical spill near where you live, a flashlight might be the only tool at your disposal to help you get out of the region as quickly and safely as possible.  
   
   
3. Signaling for help. If you get lost in a secluded area, whether during an escape from a bad situation, going off-grid, a camping trip, or are stranded somewhere, a flashlight could be used to signal for help. Especially if your flashlight has a built-in SOS component or a strobe function to it. It’s a great way to alert help to your location.
   
   
4. Getting out of a submerged vehicle. When a vehicle plunges into a body of water – and it happens more often than you might think – the driver and passengers have very little time to save themselves from drowning. A tactical flashlight with a razor-sharp edge can rip through a stuck seatbelt. And its glass-breaking hammer can quickly break open a window that could become jammed in an accident.
   
   
5. Self-defense from an attacker. There are weapons that would be more useful than a flashlight if you’re attacked. But if you’re in a pinch, a flashlight can temporarily blind an attacker to allow an escape, while its barrel can be used for a counterattack.
   
   
6. A vehicle breakdown. If your vehicle breaks down, you’ll need light to check under the hood or change a tire in the dark. And if you have to abandon the car and walk somewhere, it will help light your way. 
                    
7. Charging a cellphone for an emergency call. If your cellphone is dead and you need to make a call for help, some tactical flashlights can charge up handheld devices. That phone call could be your lifeline in an emergency.  

What to look for

Here’s what I look for in a tactical flashlight:

• Ultra-bright LED flashlight
• Solar panel
• Power bank
• SOS light and strobe
• Work light
• Seatbelt/rope splitter
• Glass-breaking hammer
• Compass
• Magnet
• Lightweight
• Anti-slip handle
• Adjustable wrist strap

Everybody needs a flashlight. And several of them are much better than having just one. That way, you can keep one in each of the rooms where you might need it. Not to mention in your vehicles.

But make sure they are tactical flashlights. Because light in the darkness is only one of the advantages you can enjoy with a flashlight.