Police Use of Strobing Flashlights
Imagine yourself in a situation that you need to stop someone who is intent on rushing you for whatever reason. You have a lot options for self-defense. There are bottles full of pepper spray that can stop someone when it is sprayed in the eyes and on the face. But, the bottle can go off in your purse or pocket or even spring a leak, making a total and possibly painful mess. There are also personal tasers available that you can use to shock an assailant into submission or at least cause enough of a shock to give you some extra time to get away. Not only are companies, including the Department for Homeland Security, researching personal protection devices, they are also developing devices with tactical capabilities for military and law enforcement applications.
One of these devices is a strobing tactical flashlight that uses LED bulbs. Light emitting diode (LED) technology has been getting more and more attention and is becoming popular in everyday lighting situations. LED bulbs burn brighter and longer than traditional incandescent bulbs while using less power. They are also tougher and can stand up to more of a pounding because of the durability of the bulb framework itself. Most of us have experience with LED bulbs in our appliances and electronic equipment. These little lights let us know if they are on or off. Now, LED bulbs can be found all over. Since they can come in different colors, they are being used in dynamic billboards and street signage. There are towns in the
The military is currently testing a new strobing flashlight they are calling the LED Incapacitator. This device uses three different lighting functions to confuse an attacker. First, the light pulses or strobes in various patterns which are very distracting. The light is so bright that even in full sunlight or in a brightly lit room the strobing effect is bothersome and frustrating. Second, the bulbs are designed to emit very specific frequencies. The eye and the brain can adjust to the frequencies, but it takes a little time. Before the adjustments are made, the tactical flashlight changes the frequency, thus making every strobe incredibly piercing. Third, there are several different colors that most affect the eye. The colors change with every strobe and, again, change before the eye and brain can adjust. All of these occurring at the same time can actually make the brain short circuit, which may confuse, disorient and even stop an attacker in their tracks. So far there has been no indication of permanent damage to the brain as a result of the light.
The military, security groups and police officers can use such strobing LED flashlights for non-violent crowd control purposes. These lights can be placed in the front of a police crowd shield to conceal what is behind them from the view of large groups. A whole line of these lights could also effectively neutralize a large group of rioting people. They can also be placed on the outside of vehicles to help slow people down during a chaotic event. Where police officers to date must resort to chemicals or physical violence to tame a crowd, this light may provide a safer and more effective option for doing so.
In a lot of military and law enforcement applications, a light like the LED Incapacitator just needs to give an officer or soldier an extra second or two to gain an advantage. The same thing is true for a personal strobing light. As a safety tool, a strobing flashlight may be a great item to keep in an emergency kit, gym bag or purse.
Research is ongoing for new ways to use LED strobing lights for military and police use. Today, strobing flashlights and torches are being used by law enforcement to disorientate fleeing criminals. These same lights are available for the regular home owner as an additional means of security in the event of a break-in or burglary. By using a personal strobing flashlight, you may be able to gain a few extra valuable seconds to get you and your family out safely.
