During a tornado in the document author's hometown of Arlington, TX, their power went out and they needed a flashlight to see to get to a safe place. A flashlight can help people see in the dark for various occupations as well, such as a police officer using one attached to their service weapon in a dark shooting situation. The document discusses tips for using a tactical flashlight, such as using quick bursts of light instead of leaving it on continuously, moving between bursts, and not backlighting teammates to avoid being identified. It also notes that illuminating a whole room by aiming the light at the ceiling can help determine threats or hostages.

1. A flashlight serves a number of purposes.

2. I remember when there was a tornado in Arlington,
TX, my home town.

3. Everyone in my house was on alert.

4. The reason for this is that tornados may have been
common in the smoother part of Texas, but not north
Texas, where we currently live.

5. Furthermore the closest a tornado ever reached
Arlington was one that was in Fort Worth years ago.

6. During the storm our power went out, and we needed
a flashlight to be able to see.

7. The light really helped my family in being able to get
to a secure place while in the dark.

8. A flashlight can also help other people see in the dark
depending on their occupation.

9. For example if you are a police officer in a shooting
fight with a dangerous person in a dark area having a
flashlight attached to your service weapon can be
very helpful.

10. I would like to discuss the different tips that people
should remember when using a tactical flashlight.

11. The first tip I would like to share with you when using
a tactical flashlight is to be judicious.

12. By judicious I mean that you should use quick bursts
of light instead of leaving the light on.

13. The reason for this is that the flashlight’s purpose is
to help you see your target.

14. The light does little good if it helps your target identify
you.

15. Also, when you are using the light you should move
between bursts of light, and also you shouldn’t
backlight teammates.

16. This will help you to keep yourself and your
teammates hidden from your target.

17. Another tip to consider when using a light is if you
really need the light.

18. If you are searching for a possible perpetrator in your
home the light may not be necessary.

19. No one tends to know the layout of your home better
than you regardless of it being lit or not.

20. If you are part of a police team that is trying to identify
if an area is safe there is one quick tip that will help
you illuminate an entire room in just a moment’s
notice.

21. If you aim your light at a white ceiling the room will be
illuminated completely.

22. This can be very beneficial in determining the
possible number of perpetrator(s) in the room, and
any possible hostages.

23. With these tips people should be able to better
understand the benefits of a flashlight, and how a
flashlight can be used in a number of situations.