Interesting article on Newsmax.com about the importance of carrying a flashlight:
http://newsmax.com/archives/articles/2003/8/18/125413.shtml
News Flash – Carry a Flashlight!
Bruce Mandelblit
Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2003
While watching news coverage of the now infamous Blackout of 2003, I heard a few reports where a person was able to safely escape from a potentially dangerous circumstance with the help of a trusty flashlight.
I believe you can make a strong argument that a quality flashlight just might be one of the most important safety tools you have.
Think about it. The power goes out unexpectedly. Your vehicle breaks down at night. There a million things that might happen which would necessitate the need for a good and reliable flashlight.
For law enforcement, a proper flashlight is an absolute requirement. Therefore, I will look to the flashlights of the police professional to try to discover some of the finest flashlights available for the ordinary person.
As a reserve law enforcement officer for many years, I remember the first flashlight I carried on duty. It was a foot-long, heavy aluminum thing that I can still recall banging against my leg during some foot pursuits.
However, the flashlight I carried on duty until I recently retired was quite different. I carried a Streamlight Stinger. It features a powerful, 15,000-candlepower light with a rechargeable battery. It is only about 7 inches long and weighs an amazing 10 ounces. Also, because of its small size, I always carry the Stinger on my duty belt so I have instant access to the flashlight in case of any emergency.
If you need a small and reliable flashlight to leave in your glove compartment, you may want to consider a Mini-Mag. It is constructed of aircraft aluminum and even has a spare light bulb in the tail cap. It is just over 5 inches long and uses two AA batteries.
Also from Streamlight, there is a unique penlight that uses an LED as its light source instead of a traditional bulb. You can place this really powerful penlight in your pocket or purse for instant light whenever the need arises.
Another topnotch company in the business of making personal flashlights is SureFire. Many of my police friends absolutely love, and always carry, their SureFire lights. I think one of the most useful SureFire lights is their Executive line of flashlights, and I have recently purchased one for myself. It is so compact that it is even smaller than the average penlight and it can fit easily into a pocket or purse. Depending on the model, it has a long runtime of about 75 to 90 minutes, so it would make a good choice for most uses including personal security and convenience.
Many “flashaholics†(those folks who love and collect flashlights) have wonderful things to say about the ARC LED flashlight. It uses a quality LED bulb that produces a powerfully bright light, and operates on a common AAA battery. It is small enough to make a super addition to virtually anyone’s keychain.
My “always carry†flashlight is the ASP Sapphire light. I own a few of these special lights. I have one attached to my keychain, and another is clipped to the zipper of my rain jacket. The ASP Sapphire is incredibly small, and amazingly bright, considering that it uses a single LED bulb. It is powered by a lithium battery and has a forged aluminum body. Because this light has an integrated tension ring, it can be clipped onto almost anything, including a belt or lanyard.
For more information on these products, contact:
www.streamlight.com
www.surefire.com
www.maglight.com
www.arcflashlight.com
ASP – 1-800-236-6243
My Final Thoughts: Whether you are a law enforcement officer, a firefighter, a paramedic or a typical person, the appropriate flashlight may be a critical tool for your safety, security and convenience.
Flashlights have come a very long way since the old red plastic ones that operated, with a dull and unfocused light, for just a short time, using bulky D batteries. Today there are powerful, small and convenient lights on the market that use high-tech LED bulbs which can last up to 100,000 hours of use, and feature lithium batteries that power the flashlight for 10, 20, 30 or more straight hours.
Search the Internet or visit your local retailer, and odds are you will find the foremost flashlight for your specific use.
With realistic everyday dangers, from possible acts of terrorism and power outages to hurricanes and tornados, carrying the proper-quality flashlight just might make all the difference!
(Note to law enforcement and security officers and agencies: There is a new low-cost and lightweight state-of-the-art ceramic rifle body armor now available that is designed to be worn in conjunction with your own Level II soft concealable vest and give you up to Level IV rifle protection. For more information on this new officer safety innovation, please e-mail: [email protected].)
Copyright 2003 by Bruce Mandelblit
* * * * * *
“Staying Safe†with Bruce Mandelblit is a regular column for the readers of NewsMax.com and NewsMax.com Magazine.
Bruce welcomes your thoughts. His e-mail address is [email protected].
Bruce is a nationally known security journalist, as well as a recently retired, highly decorated reserve Law Enforcement Officer.
Bruce writes Staying Safe, a nationally syndicated weekly column covering the topics of security, safety and crime prevention.
Bruce was commissioned as a Kentucky Colonel – the state's highest honor – by Gov. Paul E. Patton for his public service.
This column is provided for general information purposes only. Please check with your local law enforcement agency and legal professional for information specific to you and your jurisdiction.
http://newsmax.com/archives/articles/2003/8/18/125413.shtml
News Flash – Carry a Flashlight!
Bruce Mandelblit
Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2003
While watching news coverage of the now infamous Blackout of 2003, I heard a few reports where a person was able to safely escape from a potentially dangerous circumstance with the help of a trusty flashlight.
I believe you can make a strong argument that a quality flashlight just might be one of the most important safety tools you have.
Think about it. The power goes out unexpectedly. Your vehicle breaks down at night. There a million things that might happen which would necessitate the need for a good and reliable flashlight.
For law enforcement, a proper flashlight is an absolute requirement. Therefore, I will look to the flashlights of the police professional to try to discover some of the finest flashlights available for the ordinary person.
As a reserve law enforcement officer for many years, I remember the first flashlight I carried on duty. It was a foot-long, heavy aluminum thing that I can still recall banging against my leg during some foot pursuits.
However, the flashlight I carried on duty until I recently retired was quite different. I carried a Streamlight Stinger. It features a powerful, 15,000-candlepower light with a rechargeable battery. It is only about 7 inches long and weighs an amazing 10 ounces. Also, because of its small size, I always carry the Stinger on my duty belt so I have instant access to the flashlight in case of any emergency.
If you need a small and reliable flashlight to leave in your glove compartment, you may want to consider a Mini-Mag. It is constructed of aircraft aluminum and even has a spare light bulb in the tail cap. It is just over 5 inches long and uses two AA batteries.
Also from Streamlight, there is a unique penlight that uses an LED as its light source instead of a traditional bulb. You can place this really powerful penlight in your pocket or purse for instant light whenever the need arises.
Another topnotch company in the business of making personal flashlights is SureFire. Many of my police friends absolutely love, and always carry, their SureFire lights. I think one of the most useful SureFire lights is their Executive line of flashlights, and I have recently purchased one for myself. It is so compact that it is even smaller than the average penlight and it can fit easily into a pocket or purse. Depending on the model, it has a long runtime of about 75 to 90 minutes, so it would make a good choice for most uses including personal security and convenience.
Many “flashaholics†(those folks who love and collect flashlights) have wonderful things to say about the ARC LED flashlight. It uses a quality LED bulb that produces a powerfully bright light, and operates on a common AAA battery. It is small enough to make a super addition to virtually anyone’s keychain.
My “always carry†flashlight is the ASP Sapphire light. I own a few of these special lights. I have one attached to my keychain, and another is clipped to the zipper of my rain jacket. The ASP Sapphire is incredibly small, and amazingly bright, considering that it uses a single LED bulb. It is powered by a lithium battery and has a forged aluminum body. Because this light has an integrated tension ring, it can be clipped onto almost anything, including a belt or lanyard.
For more information on these products, contact:
www.streamlight.com
www.surefire.com
www.maglight.com
www.arcflashlight.com
ASP – 1-800-236-6243
My Final Thoughts: Whether you are a law enforcement officer, a firefighter, a paramedic or a typical person, the appropriate flashlight may be a critical tool for your safety, security and convenience.
Flashlights have come a very long way since the old red plastic ones that operated, with a dull and unfocused light, for just a short time, using bulky D batteries. Today there are powerful, small and convenient lights on the market that use high-tech LED bulbs which can last up to 100,000 hours of use, and feature lithium batteries that power the flashlight for 10, 20, 30 or more straight hours.
Search the Internet or visit your local retailer, and odds are you will find the foremost flashlight for your specific use.
With realistic everyday dangers, from possible acts of terrorism and power outages to hurricanes and tornados, carrying the proper-quality flashlight just might make all the difference!
(Note to law enforcement and security officers and agencies: There is a new low-cost and lightweight state-of-the-art ceramic rifle body armor now available that is designed to be worn in conjunction with your own Level II soft concealable vest and give you up to Level IV rifle protection. For more information on this new officer safety innovation, please e-mail: [email protected].)
Copyright 2003 by Bruce Mandelblit
* * * * * *
“Staying Safe†with Bruce Mandelblit is a regular column for the readers of NewsMax.com and NewsMax.com Magazine.
Bruce welcomes your thoughts. His e-mail address is [email protected].
Bruce is a nationally known security journalist, as well as a recently retired, highly decorated reserve Law Enforcement Officer.
Bruce writes Staying Safe, a nationally syndicated weekly column covering the topics of security, safety and crime prevention.
Bruce was commissioned as a Kentucky Colonel – the state's highest honor – by Gov. Paul E. Patton for his public service.
This column is provided for general information purposes only. Please check with your local law enforcement agency and legal professional for information specific to you and your jurisdiction.
