Out of my everyday carry items, which one do I find myself using the absolute most? 

My flashlight. 

I opted for the handheld flashlight instead of a weapon-mounted light. My tactical flashlight might very well be my favorite everyday carry item because of its versatility; I find myself using my EDC light all the time at work. One of the more annoying things that are now a faint memory was pulling out my phone and activating the light on my phone so that I could see. It’s slow, drains the phone battery, and the lights don't have enough brightness for many situations.

Thankfully, now I have an Olight with long battery life, rechargeable battery, and high lumens for plenty of output. Of course, using a flashlight for practical everyday use isn’t the only time it comes in handy, though. It is actually a very valuable self-defense tool.

EDC Flashlight for Self-Defense

Imagine you are walking out of a movie theater late at night; as you make your way to your car, you hear footsteps behind you, and they appear to follow you at every turn. You speed up, and the footsteps speed up too. It seems clear to you that you are being followed, but this person behind you hasn’t broken any laws or threatened you.

If they are, by chance, an innocent person, and you pull your gun on them, then you have committed a crime in almost all places. However, if you simply pull a tactical light out of your pocket, turn around, and shine it on them, you will have startled them but committed no crime.

If indeed the person turns out to be a threat, you will have no doubt affected their ability to see in the dark now, which will give you an advantage. They more than likely won’t be able to see past the brightness of the light to notice if you draw a gun, either.

Challenges to Adding a Light to Your EDC Gear

The most obvious advantage to carrying an everyday carry flashlight as part of your is if you are in a shoot-out at night, blinding the threat and being able to identify if the threat is really a threat is invaluable. Just remember, like all things, you'll need to practice shooting with your light in conjunction with your handgun. Especially if you are carrying a handheld compact flashlight like me because, in that context, you’d basically be shooting one-handed, which, as you can imagine, requires practice. When picking a flashlight, there are several options to choose from. These include a keychain flashlight and EDC flashlights with a pocket clip feature, which can provide easier access.

Carry an EDC Light for Everyday Use

At the end of the day, if you can deter a bad guy and not have to draw a weapon, it’s a good day. I don’t know of a single person who carries a firearm and wishes for a chance to use it. EDC flashlights are a fantastic tool, and I promise if you carry one, you will find yourself using it more than you ever thought possible.