What's in your emergency survival kits? The kit in your car probably includes blankets, water, and non-perishable food. Your hiking kit might contain a compass and whistle as well. In addition to basic survival tools like these, every emergency kit should also include an LED flashlight. An LED flashlight is a life-saving tool, as shown by some of the user testimonials below.



Lost

Robert, a law enforcement official, was enjoying a two-hour hike in New Hampshire with his son's Boy Scout troop until unforeseen delays and obstacles threw them off course. The sun set, the temperature dropped, and snow began to fall. The trail was soon lost as markers were covered by the rising snow. Everyone was cold, tired, and wet. After finding shelter in the form of a cabin, the three troop leaders began retracing their steps—no easy task in dark, snowy conditions. Fortunately, the LED flashlight that Robert had pocketed almost as an afterthought helped lead the troop to safety by illuminating their footprints in the snow. Robert wryly remembers: “One of the adults lugged a 3 D-cell light up the hill only to find out it was dead.”

Search and Rescue

Sometimes travelers get injured or fall victim to an unforeseeable act of nature like an avalanche, earthquake, or unexpected inclement weather. Search and rescue can be difficult in these instances, especially in remote wilderness. For search and rescue teams operating during night hours, a bright LED light could help speed up the search and rescue process. Furthermore, if you're immobilized without the ability to create a signal or move to safety, an LED flashlight is exactly the tool to save your life by alerting search and rescue workers where you are located.

Home Invasion

It's just after two o'clock in the morning. Your spouse is in bed next to you, your children down the hall in their bedrooms. Suddenly, your eyes open wide, and you're fully awake. You've heard something unfamiliar. You sit straight up in bed and realize that someone is in your home. What are you going to do?

In the dark of night, you're going to want all the brightness an LED bright light can offer -- it's just the instrument you'll need to protect your family and ward off intruders.

Parachute Problems

George, a former U.S. paratrooper, was participating in an airborne training exercise. Upon landing, his chute re-inflated and proceeded to drag him down the drop zone at a rapid and increasing speed. Thankfully, George was carrying an LED keychain light and knife combo. Using the knife, George cut away one of the riser straps in order to collapse the parachute and save his life. George's little LED keychain light, mainly used for finding his car on dark nights, saved his life because of one brilliant innovation. This final scenario, admittedly, is one most people are not likely to encounter, but this true tale is compelling nonetheless, and certainly applicable to more than just parachutes.

Whether you're an avid adventurer, homeowner, or even a paratrooper, an LED tactical torch will bring you comfort and aid if you should find yourself in a life-threatening situation.

~Richard McNeal, 2009