Disaster Skills: 5 Flashlights Everyone Should Consider

Many people are familiar with the old shooting adage “one is none…” but this concept of “safety in redundancy” holds true for many more topics than just weapons. For example, I carry several butane lighters in my outdoor gear, just in case one gets damaged or lost. I carry multiple cutting edges too, to provide back-ups in the event of loss or breakage. And I’m a big believer in multiple flashlights. Here are five different types of lighting that everyone should consider buying.

Pen Light Pen lights have come a long way over the years. Bright beams, long batter life and rugged construction can be found through many different models and across many different brands. This light is a good friend for your pockets, purses, survival kits and anyplace else that a compact light would be welcome. I find that pen lights with the ability to clip onto a hat brim or pocket are extra handy.

Keychain Light Small and inexpensive, a keychain light might be your best friend, providing light in and around your car – and as a back-up to all of your other light sources. Its illumination power will never match larger lights, but you don’t always need a beam that would melt the fur off a bear. A small squeeze light could be all you need, and it’s just right for checking pupil dilation (an important first aid diagnostic).

Head Lamp My favorite for most situations, the headlamp gives us hands-free lighting, very often with a long battery life. Head lamps sit in the top of my medical bag, and in the top of my vehicle tool kit, ready to stream illumination exactly where I’m looking, while keeping both hands free to work.

Tactical Light Remember the melting bear fur previously mentioned? Nothing helps you out in those “bump in the night” situations like a high lumen, ultra-bright tactical light. These lights can reach out in the darkness and give you the visibility you want and need. Look for lights that also have multiple features like battery-thrifty low intensity settings and an attacker disorienting strobe light feature.

Heavy Lights There’s still a place for those large, long and clunky “D” cell battery flashlights. This provides both light and a backup weapon in the form of a baton.

Written by Tim MacWelch First draft published on outdoorlife.com