Lesson Learned

[caedenspa]

My wife & son are out of town, so I'm a bachelor for the week. My, how quiet the house is when it's just me!

So I'm sound asleep last night, and my beagle starts barking. I'm annoyed, but she barks when the wind blows, so I'm not all that concerned. A few minutes later, my Akita barks. For those that don't know, Akitas don't bark often. Mine only does when he's got really good reason to do so.

I snagged my .357 and my Streamlight off the nightstand, and let the dogs out into the house (they were closed up in the bedroom with me). I then follow. House is pitch black, but my eyes are accustomed to the dark at this point.

I being clearing each room, but the dogs keep hovering around the entrance to the family room. I know that in that room there's a corner that would be a prime hiding spot - it's dark, it's concealed, etc. So I figure if there's someone in the family room, that's where they'd choose. As I entered the room, I tagged the momentary switch on the back of the Streamlight. Quick burst of light, I can see there's no one in the hiding spot, and I have now cleared the family room.

One problem....now I'm blind. That burst of light ruined my night vision. The fact that I could no longer see in the dark gave me a moment of panic - I hadn't expected it.

So, the lesson learned is: know how your equipment is going to affect your senses. I know my gun(s) well, I can fire confidently from about any position and know how my hands/arms are going to react to shooting off-balance, offhanded, etc., but I hadn't thought to train with my light.

I also now realize the value of a powerful light against an attacker. I was not on the receiving end of the burst of light, but it still momentarily blinded me. Someone getting that blast in their eyes is going to be disoriented, at least temporarily.

Oh, and the reason the dogs barked? RACCOON on the roof!

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[tkruf]

Well the only way to not cause temporarily blind yourself in that circumstance is to close your eyes when you activate your light. That's obvious.

[Old School]

Try closing only one eye when you activate your flashlight. I close my dominate eye so I maintain my night vision in it. Half a loaf is better than none.

[Trumpetchuck]

Try closing only one eye when you activate your flashlight. I close my dominate eye so I maintain my night vision in it. Half a loaf is better than none.

WHAT?????????

[paaiyan]

My flashlight that I keep in my Jeep actually has several different modes, one of which is a green light that I believe is supposed to enhance or preserve night vision.

Failing something like that with multiple lighting modes you might try finding a red flashlight. Red light has a very low impact on your night vision and allows you to increase lighting in a room without temporarily blinding yourself.

[bladenbullet]

turning the light on and leaving it on would elliminate the problem...if youre gonna blind someone then blind them...use it to your advantage...not against yourself...