Three Key Uses of the EDC Light

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

The obvious use for an EDC light is target ID, and to assist in the application of force (ie. Shooting). In essence, a fighting light. However, we don’t often use lights for fighting, because getting in fights is something we prefer not to do. So instead, we use EDC lights for utility most often, and in doing so, can sometimes loose the “fighting” part of the light. 

Instead, if we broaden our understanding of the fighting light’s purpose, we can sometimes better balance what we need in a light. Here are three things outside of the fight, that fighting lights can be good at. 

Projecting Awareness

Everyone carries a flashlight these days, in fact, you might even be reading this article on your multipurpose flashlight called a cellphone. The light on your phone is useful for all kinds of things. Finding that dropped item in the shadowy recesses of your car’s interior. Fumbling with your keys to get through a locked door. Rummaging through that poorly lit shed or garage looking for that tool you swear is in that one toolbox. What those types of lights, low output with poor throw, are not good at is projecting awareness. Our goal is not to be the baddest dude to walk down Main St, USA. It is to appear to be badder than the dude in front of or behind us. Appearing to be aware, (and better, actually being aware), is a key piece of that puzzle. A well deployed high output, high candela, handheld light can help us to accomplish this. It sends a clear “I see you” message to anyone who may have earned it. As a bonus, flashlights of the type we are talking, typically only get associated with one group of people, and it tends to be a group of people with arrest powers that the criminal element would rather not interact with. 

Signaling

I have been on the side of the road with vehicle accidents, broken down vehicles, injured persons, et al, way more than I have been in gunfights, or almost been in gunfights. Having a powerful enough to effectively signal approaching drivers, punch through tinted windows on wrecked or disabled vehicles (I know, not signaling) or draw the attention of emergency responders, can pay dividends. Punchier lights tend to do these things the best, and get attention quicker than less punchy lights. 

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Light as a Force Tool

Force exists on this continuum from 0, to 100. Too far above zero, and those uses of force come with legal repercussions if administered inappropriately. High powered lights can be used to apply a very low, basically legally inconsequential amount of force, but still sends a clear message of deterrence. You have heard of an eye poke in a can (OC/pepper spray), a well-designed light throwing a high number of candelas into a person’s eyes can be like a push in the chest. The message is clear, stay away. It has the bonus effect of essentially hiding the user behind a wall of light. Most people, when confronted with enough light, will squint, and lift their hands to block the light. Both help the light user. It blocks vision, and creates a relatively benign circumstance to give us information about the hands. 

The Wrap

So, there we go. Three reasons to carry a fighting light that doesn’t have to do with shooting a gun. Among my favorite lights are the Surefire EDC Turbo series of lights, and the Modlite handhelds. Are there some other players in the game? Sure, but these two seem to be playing this particular game at the highest level.