29 Oct 22 | EDC Light Builder

EDC Flashlight Technique

Use of the Wrist Lanyard
In our article What I Learned about Flashlights at a Low Light Pistol Class, we reviewed the key features of an EDC flashlight dedicated to self defense. One of those features is a wrist lanyard, which we will take a closer look at in this article.
The first key benefit of the wrist lanyard is the ability to quickly free the hand by simply letting go of the flashlight. The lanyard allows retention of the light and frees the hand for other tasks. In a defensive use of the light, the momentary function of the switch prevents the light from staying on while retained by the lanyard. The second key benefit of the wrist lanyard is that it 100% gaurantees that the light will not be dropped. Anyone who regulary uses a flashlight knows how easy it is to drop it while trying to use the hands for other tasks. In a more critical personal safety situation, the last thing we want to do is physically compromise ourselves by reaching down to pick up something we dropped. Though not as fast to access as a flashlight with a pocket clip, as noted in our EDC Flashlight Tactics & Technique - The EDC Flashlight for Situational Awareness and Self Protection article, we advocate to deploy early and have the light in-hand before entering a low-light space. In practice, the idea is to use the lanyard for positive retention from before it leaves the pocket to when it goes back in. Using the technique illustrated in the photo sequence below, the light can be carried in a pocket yet remain easily accessible. To access the light;
Pull lanyard from pocket
Insert wrist into lanyard
Hook lanyard with thumb
Pull light from pocket
Aquire full grip
If the hand holding the flashlight needs to be freed for another task, simply let go of the flashlight and let it rest in the palm of your hand. This frees all five fingers and keeps the flashlight out of the way. Alternative Method If the hand needs to be fully freed, or if the light falls out of the hand, it can be recovered as shown in the sequence below;
Flashlight retained by lanyard
Rotate hand, hook lanyard with thumb
Rotate wrist to capture light
Acquire full grip on light

Adjusting the Lanyard

The EDCLB Custom Wrist Lanyard can be adjusted to fit hand size and to accommodate the use of gloves. Looping the lanyard around the wrist and between the thumb and index finger as illustrated to the right, adjust the lanyard to provide just enough room to free the fingers for other tasks. The tighter the loop is kept, the closer the flashlight will be retained and the more easily it can be grasped and put back into action.

The EDCLB Custom Lanyard

  • Available on select EDCLB lights
  • Adjustable to fit adult size hands
  • Break-away split ring for safety
  • Detachable
  • Hand made with quality paracord and accessories
With some familiarization and practice of these techniques, the use of a properly-designed wrist lanyard will quickly prove its worth. In real world use where we never know when we'll need two hands free, the usefulness of any EDC flashlight intended for situational awareness and personal safety can be significantly enhanced with a wrist lanyard. | EDC Light BuilderComments? Please feel free to share them with the EDC Light Builder
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