Flash light use to clear a house

[robheath]

I want to know what most trainers feel is the best way to use a flshlight while clearing a house or other structure.  In the acadamy we were told that a flashlight is a bullet magnet.  I have a light that has brightness adjustment up to 225 lumens as well as strobe.  Changing from low to high and to strobe requires too much effort and distracts from the mission.  What setting would be a best all around app.?

[TAB]

For LEO or john Q public?


My $.02 unless you have to clear a house to get a family member, you should NEVER clear a house.  Leave that to the LEOs, thats what they are paid to do( notice I said paid and not trained?)

[robheath]

I agree but the way my home is set up, I will have to move from one end to the other to check on my kid.  You know what they say " when seconds count the police are only minutes away".  If I have to depend on the locals here in south Louisiana I might as well just invite the BGs in for sandwiches.  On a further note I gave myself a test last night.  I set my alarm for 2:00 am, Got up and grabbed my light and pistol ( alreadt staged and safety checked ) and searched my house.  225 lum is far to bright for eyes that are still used to the dark.  The lighter the color of the walls the worse it was.  I used the temp on of to use like a snap shot and it was as if someone had taken my picture, momentary blindness.  I have figured out how I need to go about my house now but I think every person should try it out on his or her own home to see what works.  By the way I am former LEO.

[Dakotaranger]

IF again IF I were to do it I would want to use a Fenix with 820 lumins  http://www.lapolicegear.com/fenix-tk35-flashlight.html  That been said If I can avoid it I'm not going to

[fightingquaker13]

I guess my taker is that for this job small and bright is what you want. Bright enough to light up a room and minimag sized. That said, I'd only clear enough rooms o get me and my people out. After that, its call 911 and let them deal with it. If its a survival situation and 91 doesnt answer? Well, I have no problem hanging out on the lawn all night and dealing with them when they exit.
FQ13

[Sponsor]

[tankerdad]

You are absolutley going to have eye adjustment issues if you were asleep. I think it's beyond awesome that you got up at 2 am to do that test.  As your body is trying to wake up, your eyes don't adjust as quickly as they would in the middle of the day.

I will tell you that if someone broke into your house and you were doing that for real, your adrenaline would be pumping.  This would allow for your eyes to adjust much more quickly than during your drill, and thus reduce your temp night blindness after the light was turned off and reduce adjuestment time when the light was turned on.

I do not mean to say there would be no eye adjustment, just reduced severity and time of/for adjustment.

As for the light being a bullet magnet, I would much rather know what I'm shooting at than risk engaging a family member or an unarmed intruder.  As you well know as a former LEO, depending on the state you're in, shooting an unarmed intruder can land your butt in jail.

tankerdad

[robheath]

Thanx all for the response.  I do not plan on be dirty Harry and taking on the BGs unless I have too.  But I want to have a plan in place.  Here in Katrina central not having plans and prep. can be dangorous.

[mkm]

First, it's awesome that you practiced, especially at 2 AM.

Second, I think we're all in agreement to don't do it unless you have to, but you've provided suffecient evidence that it needs to be done to check on kids.

Third, I'm going to buck the trend a little.

I agree that multiple settings on the light are a bit distracting, but the more I practice the easier it gets to transition.  For this reason, I say use the lowest setting while clearing.  From what I remember from the best defense and other shows/articles, is that it's best to hold the light in your week hand and don't shine it exactly where you want to look.   Use the intermitent switch and angle the light so only the edge lights the room; maybe even cover it a little.  The idea is that it keeps your night vision as good as possible while simultaneosly not giving your position or focus area away (as much).  As long as no one/thing is spotted, the low light fine.  However if you actually see someone, transition to the brightest setting and put it in his eyes.  From there, you can conclude friend or foe and make you next decision.