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        INFORCE Blog

        The Wall of Light Technique

        The Wall of Light Technique

        The term "wall of light" typically refers to a law enforcement tactic involving the use of powerful, blinding lights to disorient individuals during various situations. This tactic is often employed in crowd control, search operations, and riot control.

        When employing a wall of light, a police officer or security guard shines a powerful flashlight on a suspect or person of interest while simultaneously giving orders to surrender or restraining the individual. The intense light forces people to shield their eyes or otherwise look away from the officer, making it difficult for them to draw a weapon or resist arrest, which is why the “wall of light” is also known as “defensive illumination.”

        Civilians can use this tactic to avoid potential life-threatening situations by shining their lights at an aggressor or wild animal. If the light in question is attached to a pistol, it would allow positive threat identification which would prevent accidental discharge on a non-hostile target. Used with a standard handheld tactical light, a wall of light would cause flash blindness, giving a brief window to retreat.

         

        Advantages:

        The blinding effect of high-intensity lights can disorient and temporarily incapacitate individuals, making it difficult for them to see and react effectively. Aside from preventing potentially dangerous suspects from reaching for weapons, this can be particularly useful in crowd control situations to disperse or control unruly crowds without resorting to more aggressive measures.

        Officers also use walls of light in a variety of situations, from nighttime traffic stops to search and rescue operations, to provide better visibility and safety for officers and others involved. Tactical lights can also be used to see through tinted windows to provide an extra layer of safety for officers who don’t want to be caught unawares. A patrol car’s spotlight can also be shined in the rear-view mirror of a car during a traffic stop to prevent drivers from violently reacting to an approaching officer.

         

        Disadvantages:

        The "wall of light" tactic can be subject to misuse or overuse by law enforcement, potentially leading to excessive force and violating the rights of individuals. This raises concerns about the potential for abuse of power.

        On the other side of the fence, law enforcement officers are fully aware of the power of a high intensity tactical flashlight. In 2020, an El Paso man was charged with a felony assault for shining his light at a sheriff’s deputy in an unmarked car in his driveway. The civilian, who lived in a high crime area, assumed it was a suspicious individual, but was arrested since the officer counted his actions as an assault. Charges were dropped when a judge ruled the El Paso man had no malicious intent.

         

        The "wall of light" tactic is only one of many non-lethal tactics used by law enforcement and may not always be effective, particularly against determined or well-prepared individuals. In some cases, it can even escalate tensions and provoke a violent response.

        One of the most effective flashlights for “walls of light” are INFORCE tactical lights. These tactical flashlights are compatible with rifles or helmets with high candela counts. The WMLx Gen 3, for example, boasts 10,000 candelas of beam intensity. This allows them to shine an intense, concentrated beam, making them perfect to use for “walls of light.”

        While this law enforcement tactic has both advantages and disadvantages and has proven itself to be a valuable non-lethal tool for disorientation and crowd control, it must be used with caution, considering the potential for misuse, ethical concerns, and its overall effectiveness. The appropriateness of using this tactic should be evaluated in each specific situation, with a focus on minimizing harm and respecting individual rights.

        Lumens vs. Candelas

        Lumens vs. Candelas

        As a consumer, you may have been used to measuring the power of a flashlight with lumens, so it might have been a little confusing to you to see that INFORCE rates the power of its flashlights with both lumens and candelas. 

        For the sake of clarity, it’s not redundant to see both lumens and candelas on a single product’s spec sheet. Simply put, lumens measure the total output of light generated by a device, regardless of direction. Meanwhile, the 1979 General Conference on Weights and Measures defined candelas as “the luminous intensity, in a given direction, of a source that emits monochromatic radiation of frequency 540 x 10¹² hertz and that has a radiant intensity in that direction of 1/683 watt per steradian” which, in simple English, is a light source’s total intensity. 

        For the longest time, flashlight companies have preferred to use lumens over candelas in their marketing because lumens are frequently very large numbers, which sound impressive to a customer. Even the lowly candle, with its 1 candela intensity, shines with 12 lumens of brightness. 

        How is total output different from intensity? Imagine a single lightbulb that fills an entire garage with a faint yellow light. This is an example of a device with high lumens but low candelas. Now imagine a laser pointer with an intense, bright light concentrated onto a single point. This is something with high candelas but low lumens. 

        How will this information be helpful to you when you shop for your next tactical flashlight? A flashlight with a high lumen rating but low candela count might be useful for illuminating a wide area, but its visibility will probably be poor due to its lack of intensity. On the other hand, an INFORCE flashlight such as the WMLX Gen 3 is great for self-defense thanks to its impressive 25,000 candelas of light intensity concentrated in a beam that can be flashed in the face of an oncoming threat.

        An ordinary 120 lumen flashlight (left) compared to the INFORCE’s 1,100 lumen/25,000 candela WMLX Gen 3. Note the bright white circle in the center of the beam.

         

        Lumens don’t take a light’s direction or spread into account. For example, a 2,000 lumen fluorescent bulb is good enough to light up an entire room, but the lighting power of a 2,000 lumen flashlight is inconclusive if no mention is made of the size of the beam.

        In fact, the effective range (or throw) of a light source doesn’t take lumens into account at all. A light source’s range is determined by the following simple formula:

        Using this formula, we can approximate the throws of several light sources. For example, knowing that the INFORCE WMLX Gen 3 has 25,000 candelas of beam intensity:

         

        To put that into context, an everyday flashlight with 120 candelas only has 24 yards of throw, while a military flashlight, shining with an intensity about 1,500 candelas of intensity, has a range of about 84.21 yards.

        It is important to note that a flashlight's brightness, measured in lumens, does not guarantee a substantial detection range. For those looking for a powerful and far-reaching weapon flashlight, the INFORCE Gen 3 is a formidable choice. Its advanced features and design make it a reliable companion in situations requiring superior visibility and reach. By choosing the INFORCE Gen 3, users can equip themselves with a flashlight that combines impressive luminosity with an extensive detection range, ensuring optimal performance when it matters most.

        What to Pack in Your Emergency Supply List

        What to Pack in Your Emergency Supply List

        We’ll never know when we’ll find ourselves retreating from a raging wildfire or city-shattering earthquake. Densely populated spaces like large cities have their own challenges during emergency situations like evacuation traffic or looting.

        Modern cities rely on so many lifelines that the failure of just one could be a complete disaster for everyone living in them. A critical failure in a city’s electrical grid, sewage system, or road network may paralyze a section of the city at best or lead to massive civil unrest at worst.

        With this in mind, it’s generally a good idea to make one’s way outside city limits in a disaster to places such as a friend’s home or a far-away motel in the event of a disaster. In the case of a complete failure of the electrical grid, it would be advisable to make it to the nearest campground with running water to weather the storm if you anticipate that you’ll be without power for several days. While you’re out there attempting to survive, it would be good to have a few crucial items on hand.

        This is not one of those end-of-the-world zombie apocalypse bugout bag packing lists. The following list assumes the bare necessities of a single individual, traveling alone, in the event of an emergency. These materials are not designed to sustain a person indefinitely, but are good for a few days of off-grid survival.

         

        Cash and change. Outside of the complete and total collapse of society or the extremely unlikely event of occupation by a foreign power, you’ll need cash to pay for essentials like gas and food.

        Emergency reference material. Booklets like survival manuals and maps stored in waterproof bags may prove to be essential.

        Sleeping system. Sleep is a basic human need. If you have enough storage space, you could use an inflatable mattress or use a warm blanket while you sleep in your car with the AC off and the windows open. Sleeping bags are a good choice for comfort, but if you want to travel light on foot, a poncho and poncho liner would suffice for an ad hoc sleeping bag, using your rucksack as a pillow.

        Clothing. A complete change of clothing including long sleeved shirt, pants, shoes, and most importantly – socks and underwear. You actually really need only one set, and in pre-industrial times, most poor people only had one set of clothing anyway. In colder environments, pack winter gear for protection against the cold. Getting sick is a no-no in a survival situation.

        Fire starter. Some sort of fire starting material such as a magnesium fire starter, waterproof survival matches, or a storm lighter is necessary for starting a fire for warmth or cooking. Storm lighters might be the best option of the three – they’re relatively cheap, windproof, waterproof, and can be refilled with butane from any gas station.

        Portable cooking utensils. For lightweight cooking supplies, consider an esbit stove and a 1 quart camp oven instead of an “all in one camp kitchen” that’s probably the size of a cooler. Don’t forget to bring at least one but preferably 2qt canteens for water.

        A good knife. You’ll never know when you need to cut a rope, peel the bark off a piece of wood, gut an animal (or fend one off) or make other survival tools. A multitool knife is not the best option, but the small blade is better than nothing. A full size knife like a Ka-Bar is much more appropriate, but at the same time, enormous things like the Bowie knife, which as might as well be a short sword, are not the best option for delicate and meticulous work.

        Multitool/can opener. A typical multitool is made for emergency situations, and usually has such essentials as scissors, a saw, and another knife for more intricate work. Some models even have magnifying glasses for starting fires. Unlike a regular knife, these devices have purpose-made tools which make tasks like opening cans or deboning fish easier to do than they would be with a regular single-edged blade.

        Paper and pencil/pen for writing. Making journal entries or lists may help you keep track of tasks you need to do or help you relieve boredom. Rite in the Rain notepads are the notepads of choice for the United States military, chosen for their waterproof material.

        Potable water. 60% of the human body is composed of water. Dehydration is a real danger when you’re roughing it outside civilization, and keeping hydrated is very important when one is on the move.

        Non-perishable food. Canned goods are very heavy, consider dried food with plastic packaging such as beef jerky, protein bars, or meal replacement bars.

        Phone with charger. Your phone, even without an internet connection, can function as a clock, and with the addition of some apps, as a notepad, compass, and so much more. If you’re concerned about finding a place to charge, consider solar-powered chargers or hand cranks for those situations where you might find yourself in some truly out-of-the-way places.

        Radio. On the topic of powered devices, a battery powered/solar powered/hand crank radio is vital for receiving weather and news alerts from local stations. Portable radios such as these will give you information on the progress of your disaster situation NOAA Weather Radio tone alerts and extra batteries.

        Individual first aid kit. Packed with things like alcohol, antibiotic ointment, bandages, cotton buds, calamine lotion to treat itching, and a tourniquet. This first aid kit should have enough supplies to remedy common injuries like scrapes, burns, blisters, cuts, and other physical injuries of that nature.

        Personal sanitation. Moist towelettes/baby wipes, garbage bags, your toothbrush, and liquid soap are adequate for hygiene out in the wilderness. An entrenching tool also helps for when you need to dig a latrine pit.

        GPS (Global Positioning System): A GPS device can provide precise location information, helping you navigate and find your way in unfamiliar terrain or during an emergency evacuation. A handheld device or a GPS watch can help you plan routes to safety and mark waypoints. It is particularly valuable when maps may not be available or when you need to make quick decisions about your route.

        Personal weapon with a flashlight. You may still need to defend yourself from looters and the occasional dangerous animal. A rifle chambered in an abundant intermediate cartridge like the .223 would be suitable for taking down the vast majority of threats, while a powerful high-candela flashlight like the INFORCE WML would serve to identify those threats before you pull the trigger. The WML’s toolless quick detach mount also allows it to function as an improvised helmet mounted light if need be, since many newer models of ballistic helmet come with picatinny rails or picatinny rail adapters which are meant for attachments like the WML.

         

        These materials should all be able to fit in a single large rucksack. It is your responsibility to plan your route to your bugout location. If you’re going on foot, be sure you have the cardiovascular endurance to make the hike, and if you don’t, it should be a warning sign to get you to practice, if you’re taking your bugout plan seriously.

        This comprehensive emergency supply list covers essential items to ensure your safety and well-being during critical situations, from natural disasters to unforeseen emergencies. It's designed to provide you with the tools and resources necessary for a few days of off-grid survival, allowing you to navigate, stay nourished, maintain personal hygiene, and even defend yourself if needed. By including GPS technology for navigation and a personal weapon with an INFORCE flashlight for added security, you can better prepare yourself for the challenges that may arise during an evacuation or wilderness survival scenario. Remember, being prepared can make a significant difference in your ability to endure and overcome unexpected circumstances.

        The Benefits of a Flashlight for Self Defense

        The Benefits of a Flashlight for Self Defense

        In places devoid of self defense measures like firearms, citizens are usually forced to defend themselves with implements such as pepper spray, tasers, and flashlights. As always, someone forced to rely on a non-lethal method of self defense should know that it probably won’t stop the attacker, but will give you enough time to run away.

        Out of all the non-lethal self-defense implements one could use, such as kubotans, pepper spray, tasers, or knives, flashlights have one important advantage the others do not give: distance. Most of these non-lethal devices require you to be within melee range of your attacker, except for pepper spray, which has an effective rabe of about 8 to 12 feet depending on the brand. Even so, sprays can work against you if you’re upwind of them, and a person panicking in fear of their life may accidentally spray themselves.

        Not only do flashlights give you range, but a flashlight also allows you to visually identify your attacker. This is useful for the police reports you’ll eventually have to file. What’s more, this is the one non-lethal self-defense tool you can absolutely use by mistake on someone without any dangerous repercussions. Most people might hesitate before using a taser or pepper spray, thinking “am I actually about to physically harm another person?” A flashlight, however, can be shone at chest level to check for weapons or identify whether or not a person is a potential assailant. If this is indeed the case, the flashlight can simply be raised to the assailant’s eye level to give him flash blindness.

        It also helps that a flashlight helps you walk about safely at night. Since most muggings occur in the dark, you have two reasons to carry your light. Between finding your way to your car in a dark parking lot and fending off an assailant, you will most likely be using your flashlight more for the former purpose than the latter, which makes it viable for everyday carry.

        In the unfortunate event of an actual attack, you will not only see your assailant and blind him, but you might also be able to sidestep an attack if you’re far enough away when your attacker charges you. An aggressor who cannot see, more likely than not, will either stop in his tracks or charge you in a straight line. You have the option to slip out of the way and make your escape.

        When it comes to non-lethal self-defense options, INFORCE flashlights like the TFx provide intense, concentrated beams that make them shine as self-defense flashlights. In a world where personal safety is paramount, these powerful tactical flashlights offer the critical advantages of distance, the ability to navigate in the dark, and a strobe mode purpose-built for self-defense. INFORCE flashlights are all about practical safety in a world where it matters most.

        What Makes a Flashlight Tactical

        What Makes a Flashlight Tactical

        Flashlights have come a long way from their humble beginnings as simple handheld devices emitting dim, short-range yellow beams. In today's market, there is a distinct difference between ordinary household flashlights and the more robust tactical flashlights. While both serve the purpose of providing illumination in the dark, tactical flashlights offer a range of features and capabilities that set them apart.

        One of the most noticeable differences between tactical flashlights and their non-tactical variants is their construction and durability. Tactical flashlights are built to withstand the rigors of challenging environments and rough handling. They are typically constructed from high-quality materials like aircraft-grade aluminum, which not only adds to their sturdiness but also makes them lightweight and corrosion-resistant.

        INFORCE, for example, utilizes glass-reinforced nylon for its TFx and WML flashlights. This lightweight material is chosen for its ability to endure wear and tear while maintaining high-temperature strength. It's an ideal choice for products intended for rough handling, making INFORCE flashlights a solid, dependable choice for demanding situations.

        Another standout feature of tactical flashlights is their exceptional light intensity. While many flashlights focus on high lumens, tactical flashlights like INFORCE prioritize high candela counts. Lumens measure the total amount of light emitted by a source, and high-lumen lights are essential for illuminating larger areas. On the other hand, candelas measure the intensity of a light beam.

        To illustrate the difference, consider a fluorescent light bulb with a lot of light (averaging around 1700 lumens) but low intensity (135 candelas). Its light can fill a room, but would not be intense enough to cause harm to the eyes. In contrast, an INFORCE TFx flashlight shines a concentrated, high-powered beam with a high candela count (12,000) and relatively low lumens (700 on high), making it a viable self-defense tool. This intense beam can disorient or temporarily blind an assailant, providing a crucial advantage in self-defense situations.

        Tactical flashlights are designed with portability in mind. Unlike the large, heavy Maglite flashlights of the 80s and 90s, modern tactical flashlights are highly compact and easy to carry. While they may not be as substantial as dedicated self-defense weapons, they are certainly not to be underestimated.

        Many modern tactical flashlights feature a crenellated beveled edge. This feature serves a dual purpose – it can be used as a makeshift self-defense tool in emergencies, providing a means to strike or deter an assailant, while it can also help protect the flashlight's bulb from environmental damage by preventing it from coming into contact with hard surfaces like tables or walls.

        In conclusion, tactical flashlights distinguish themselves from ordinary household flashlights through their durability, light intensity, compact design, and self-defense capabilities. Whether you need a reliable source of illumination in challenging conditions or seek an extra layer of personal security, a tactical flashlight can be an invaluable tool. When choosing a tactical flashlight, consider your specific needs and priorities to find the one that best suits your requirements.

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