Flashlights don't just provide light; they also provide a competitive advantage in self defense

Driving around Scottsdale after dark, especially in residential neighborhoods, draws attention to the fact that there are very few street lights to create a safe walking, running or driving environment at night. In fact, many Scottsdale and Paradise Valley neighborhoods actually limit the number of street lights allowed to provide a more tranquil environment for families to rest and relax. By simply carrying a flashlight, any Scottsdale resident can reduce the likelihood of becoming a victim, even in their own neighborhood.

While there is no question that mental self defense should be the very first item in a Scottsdale resident’s self defense arsenal, a flashlight should be the second as it is the best global self defense tool to possess since there are no known restrictions on carrying a flashlight, even on an airplane. Every family in Scottsdale has at least one flashlight in their home or car but most don't know how to use that same flashlight to escape a threat like an assault or an attack.

Simply, light from a flashlight can temporarily blind the eyes of an attacker providing a potential victim with the time she needs to get away safely. Every Scottsdale resident has already experienced this temporarily blinding light either in their home, in a car, or playing outside but not directly. For those who have used the bathroom in the middle of the night only to be blinded by the bathroom light when entering or exiting, the safety application utilizes the exact same principle but with a direct ray of intention.

All flashlights are not created equal in the arena of self defense as lumens, unit weight, portability and tactical hardware must be considered. A lumen is a measure of the power of light perceived by the human eye and flashlights can vary from 5 lumens to 5,000 lumens and up. A flashlight should not be too heavy or too large because it will prohibit a person’s ability to carry the flashlight, reducing the likelihood of using it as a self defense too. Lastly, there are a plethora of flashlights sold that add tactical weaponry to the flashlight to appeal to the self defense market. For example, SureFire’s E2D LED Defender has a crenellated bezel, which looks like a crown, to enable a potential victim to not only blind an attacker temporarily but to follow up with a head strike in a target area to ensure escape. After all, if military and law enforcement personnel use a tactical flashlight to remove a threat, why not follow their lead and do the same when it comes to personal security!

Click here to learn more about self defense flashlights, click here to purchase a tactical flashlight or contact Shieldher. Be safe!