Glow Stick vs Flashlight - Urban Survival

[myladderhand]

To the glow stick expert:As a former army Ranger for 7 1/2 years the only advice I can give an expert such as yourself is, You might want to go to your local surplus store and purchase a military manual. Its easy to see you don't know much about light sticks or their many uses. You might ask some Vets(Especialy Special Op people)all the many things they are good for. If you're a teenager like you sound maybe you shouldn't make any more videos until you have the experience to qualify you to do so

[SurvivalRox]

I see your point, an EMP aid is a possibility,,,stay prepped

[ZombifyIt]

I got 15 mini glow sticks per pack, the packs were only €1,50 so I bought 3 packs of them, if they were more expensive I would've left them, but they were cheap so why not? They're not heavy at all so I'll keep them in my emergency pack. :)

I'd use my crank LED lights for daily tasks tho.

[MrLeonidas0001]

As much waste as they leave behind - I still think the glowsticks are always a nice thing to carry just in case of emergency. As Original50 said - good shelf life, hard to destroy (I've seen ppl shoot them with no damage) and they are super lightweight. You do have good points to consider but I would still tie on a few to my pack :)

[BiohazardDingleberry]

Fuck you hippy



[Original50]

Just bought myself a handful, to trial as a potential BOB componant. A few things attract me to their use - 1) shelf-life, 2) impervious to water/rain, 3) practically indestructible, 4) provision of ambient, rather than directional illumination, 5) light-weight. You can hang one of these round your neck and do hands-free, close-in work (read, repair, give first aid) and the object of your attention remains lit-up regardless of where you point your head or hand (unlike head-lamp/hand-torch).

[Derail07]

I believe it contains Hydrogen peroxide. I wonder if it’s possible to treat a wound with the spent contents.

[klintmane]

@Derail07 Yea hydrogen peroxide can heal wounds but the other ingredient phenol was used during WWII as a mean of execution. Guess i made my point :P

[Derail07]

I bought over 100 6" Glow sticks from Wal-Mart after Halloween red yellow green blue orange (pink for my daughter). 75% off Like 25 cents each. Filled a .50 bmg ammo can then stored in weapons cache. You will wish you had a 12+ hour glow stick instead of a flashlight if you ever entered a cave...

[wcresponder]

Chem light safe in hazardous enviroment, cheap flashlight have possible sparking hazard. agree with you on the enviromental garbage aspect, remember those batteries need to be tossed out at some point.

[ltoperater]

I use them all the time and just burn the packaging, and the used ChemLight. Your are right theres a place for them. And in a bug out bag there a must. battery's go bad even when not used.

[SlowRiotNewKanada]

Try and have a general fucking idea of what you're going to say before you hit record. That way, you won't be speaking in bursts with nice, awkward pauses.

[SuperScruffypuppy]

i wold not theow my flash light down a dam well

[TheAmazeingAnarchist]

oh but one bad thing about them. button cells. you have to get four of them i think they are 3v on my model. dont know if they changed that

[TheAmazeingAnarchist]

try getting a lazerbrite. they sell them at lazer brite .com...i have a old model i won off a guy when i was bored at base. these things are pretty sweet they are LED glow sticks pretty much...but good ones you can change the end caps to switch colors. waterproof to 50M. the newer models have a low, high, flash setting on them to they are better than my shitty old thing

[Konraden]

A glowstick becoming trash is actually a benefit. You use glowsticks specifically in a disposable matter. Sometimes, when you're in the bush, you need to be able to "fire and forget" some of your gear. I wouldn't drop my LED flashlight down a well, but I'll toss a couple of glowsticks.

[noblinger]

If you think the packaging is an environmental nightmare you should see the black smoke spewing diesel truck I drive. If SHTF you would be the first to die.

[reesk92]

good points but the aplications you list bug out kits and such require a crucial factor reliability they need to know that when the time comes they need it it works no dead batteries no broken bulb ect so glowsticks work out good cause they worn under water can be stored for a long time without worrying about battery and if stored in a plastic container will be ready when the time comes flashlights are good for everyday camping and such but for emergencies you need that reliability and durbility

[echosixnoble]

I use these to show the trail, that way other parties can see the way.

[DeimosSaturn]

There's a flashlight called Pak-Lite (sold on bestglide) which is just 2 LED lights that go on to a 9 volt battery. If you can find lithium ion 9 volts (I found some for almost 10 bucks each at home depot but you could probably find them cheaper in bulk online) you can have a flashlight that will run for literally over a month continuously on low mode (about 1 lumen), about 80 hours on high mode (about 15 lumens) and it has a 15 year shelf life and works in -40 degree temperatures.

[cowsome12]

Letter he lettered

[XxAssassiNxX089]

people can spot u better with a glow stick at night if ur lost

[shaebutte]

Lol you threw the glowstick paper down. What a litter bug :o

[acerwu]

LED light sticks annkey com

[MasterFluffy]

OK people here's why glow sticks are better that flashlights. Durability. There is no flashlight that you can take underwater or throw down a shaft to find the bottom and that even if it breaks open will still show light, and definitely not one for the price of a glow stick. As for covering the light for tactical safety, use your knife, you better bloody have one and slit the end of the package open then you just slide the stick back in and it goes dark problem solved same with the enviro thing

[RaineCortum]

If im camping.id prefer a flashlight.but if im camping alone ill need both of em



[opsdarabbit]

environmental nightmare? if TSHTF who cares? as a secondary source it is wise because YOU DON'T NEED BATTERIES. Batteries weigh more as well. In a emergency scenario you dont worry about being politically correct.

[Hoffa3381]

Good points. I have them as back ups ONLY!

[pkbjorn35]

you want it as a last resort. The batteries dont wear out(dosnt use any) And easy to put away low weight. use batteries flashlights when possible.

[SlowRiotNewKanada]

Krill makes good electric glowsticks.

[Microluck13]

LOL, the glow stick is more brite than that lil flash light of yours.

[lukey546]

If your put them in the freezer over night then you can re-crack it and it sometimes relights

[CrypticCRICKET]

Chemical glow sticks are fun but I don't like them in a WROL or bug out scenario because you can't shut them off. Sometimes not being noticed is what saves your bacon. As mentioned, they have a shelf life and you may not know when they are no longer viable.

[pbwizard1969]

@CrypticCRICKET What you say about lightsticks giveing away your position in a tactical situation is correct , however they do manufacture adjustable shrouds for light sticks that can change from total illumination down to total concealment and everything inbetween. can be handy for that reason to carry if for those who insist on useing lightsticks but I prefer flashlights also.

[Mrcaffinebean]

I agree. To me I would use Glowsticks as a backup only.

[tyrce111]

BUT GLOWSTICKS ARE COOL!!!

[jeffbengtson]

you should check out the betalight, it runs for 10-20 years with no batteries. no joke, go google it

[chivas4ev3r]

Noob!

[DragonDingBurpFart]

OMFG, These would look awesome in Minecraft :D

[NarutoFireFox84]

@DragonDingBurpFart No they wouldn't, nor would they be practical in a game where you rely entirely on what you can scavenge and acquire from nature.

[TheGrownUpAdult]

But if you hang a tiny LED light up in a tree at your camp, it's mucher harder to spot it. And environmentally? Just pick up the wrapping and the glowstic, put it in your bag! No one is forcing you to throw it in the nature! .................

[rodster6]

I've never really understod why people have glow sticks. For three nights I would need three glow sticks one for each night, but I could use that space in my pack for a flashlight and spare batteries that would last alot more than three nights. The only real use I can find for glowsticks is underwater. I dont like not being able to turn my light off if I need to either.

[Taud]

in an emergency situation i keep three different colors for when flashlights fail, every1 said waterproof already , i used em for identifying different locations in the dark when u only want to be temporary and not worry about returning, used them in a mock survival air soft game great results, even used them as bait/distraction because most humans cant resist approaching something that glows/shines

[yourpersonalspammer]

hehehe.. "flashlights rock!" :)

[Patriot36]

Funny that I ran into this video and that your thoughts about these almost exactly match my own. Just yesterday I started to take notes about my experiences with chemlights in preparation for a video. I've had these things fail on me so many times that I gave up on them about 10 years ago for use as "emergency" implements. Some of the comments here were go for me to read because I can address some of the so-called advantages. Sure, there are a few good things but one really has to stretch.

[jawbone83]

amigo, if your more concerned about environmental protection if you are bugging out, just a gun so you can expedite the inevitable. your head isnt in the game.

[GusBus74]

my answer pack bolth

[blair170]

fleshlight

[scottharriger]

@blair170 HILARIOUS!

[BlueOysterCult89085]

yea, but what happenes when the flashlight gets wet? the glowstick is for a good emergency situation like signaling, or if you need to find something and its dark.

it has a fair amount of light to it. i would never use the glostik if i had another source of light. its a last ditch option

[SirViving]

A Glow stick is a good idea to have for certain situations:

Like you said, you are forced to leave an area in the dark and need to return to it safely. Flashlights, or other electronic equipment, have a tendency to fail when you need them most (my night diving experience .. that is why Tech GUE divers carry 1 main & 2 backup lights ... and your buddies lights = 6 total ! at depth no light = death)

Glow stick don't fail after activation, it is a chemical reaction. (provided you return in time)

[SirViving]

Glowsticks are also useful when rainwater, deeper water you need to swim through, or the elements, could damage your electronic light.

Also for those who are preparing for possible EMP damage (either man made or natural) to sensitive LED lights, glowsticks are a great backup !

[stakoman]

dick light

[jamesmifsud91]

From what I have done in the past, glow sticks are great for seeing how deep something is.. They don't give off light to see things but, boy you can see them well.. Most of them have a place to attach a string and you can drop it down a well, throw it down a hill and see the angle and how far is it down without using a flashlight and effecting you natural night vision.

[alanvalentinus]

it seems to me anything that a glow stick would be good for in an emergency a flair would do better.

[hortonas786]

there are also white glow sticks that help realy much

[wepreferpie]

but you could have a bug out rave

[sertx420x]

you could use this over and over again but you will have to put it in the freeezer before the glow is comepletely gone

[64CSAR]

I had a glow stick that lasted me 2 days, I usually take them out of the package and stick them in a semi thick aluminum tube so it wont break

[MrFerretlover]

but glow sticks are pretty

[freakoutguitarsolo1]

yea what if you dont' want to signal anyone and you are just trying to survive from world disaster, cuz it's about to go down buddy, corexit!!!!

[askAlanNow]

I think if your lost in the woods they could be useful. Go to the highest point attach it to a rope and swing.that would stand out pretty well.

[jplerwill]

short term you can boil the light stck to intensify its light output to 2-4x as much. shortens its life by that much too though as a drawback.

[crazycrackergabe]

glow sticks are also good if your on water or crossing frozen lakes at night cuz you can find a person quick and possibly save there life. i know because i went fishing with my dad at night and i fell in the water and because i was waring one tie around my waist it saved my life.

that is why they use them in the navy too except they have it tied to there vest

[alundrasrt]

Signaling device perfect with a rope and turn it in cercle for rescue.

Nowadays there's some good baterryless flashlight (transform your calories on light, must discuss about that...)

[990plm]

In a BOB, or survival kit you would want to pack both. The flashlight for tasks, and the glow stick for a rescue beacon. The are backups to each other. There is an urban myth where you swing a glow stick on a string, but it doesn't work. Go out and try it. Most people just pass along anything they hear, without actually going out and testing. You are actually outside, firing up the glow stick and giving your opinion based on your observations. I applaud your genuine action.

[MINDWISEMAN]

Hi Chad, review totally considered - g-stick not enviro friendly etc. They have a robust use as last resort situations where light needs to be static and radiate, a marker/sign or the like, without the worry about machanical malfunction or battery blip that may occur in a torch. I imagine scenarios where g-stick can be more practical and keep that in mind. Would only consider dumping stick anywhere if back against the wall no turning back survival situation. Regards :-)

[rooftopeagle]

It's good for signalling, tie a piece of 550 cord to it and swing it in a circle. That's pretty much all I buy them for.

[somaobsidian]

I think the ability to determine "light time" is a big advantage for the flashlight, if you intend be discreet. But I'd recommend having a good flashlight for primary usage, and some smaller cheaper glowsticks for their different uses.

[joesphx19]

Jeeping in the dark we use reflective tacks to trees. Glow sticks are intense as markers. Being 100mi or more deep into a national forest, that's when you discover what dark really is especially on moonless or cloudy nights. We spend as much time on foot as in vehicles practicing night movement, recovery strategies, etc. Sticks and flashlights both have their uses.

[Mrcaffinebean]

I agree with your assessment, it's maybe useful in a larger group hiking. Just attach the stick to hikers bag or neck and you can do a quick head count.

[1mrgasgas1]

no chem lights for me ... mini mag l.e.d. flashlight or Prineton headlamp that are made in the U.S.A. better run time , can be turned off when not needed , don't shine in all directions , and can be turned off quickly ...God bless ...

[megasimon999]

I think theres use for these, they throw light out rather than just straight. Cold temps wont effect them, waterproof. If looking for fire wood at night you could find your camp easier.

A great tool to show where you are at night add para cord and swing in circle.

Flashlights are great but only if using rechargeable batteries if youre thinking about the enviroment. Carry several of these nothing to lose...you could also tie the wrappers to trees as markers, shiny side out.

[envirosponsible]

@megasimon999 Right on. Thanks for the ideas.  I learn WAY more from comments that I do researching prior to a shoot. Keep 'em coming mega.

[WthzoroProductions]

@envirosponsible another thing being if you drop a flash light and it breaks ? that and glow sticks are good for winter in the snow etc

[dukilaki]

@envirosponsible flashlight can be used as light

glowstick can be used in dark when you got lost or whem help are searching for you to save you

[jinya1004]

@megasimon999 After you have attached the string, you can play some techno music and swing them around your head to entertain people on drugs.

[TakronRust]

@megasimon999 Cold temperatures do affect them. It is a chemical reaction and in cold temperatures the glow sticks will be dim or even non-functional, depending on how cold it is.

[BitFox]

as far as trail markers go, you can get small containers full of a whole bunch(10 - 20, maybe?) Of those bracelet-style glowsticks for about a $2 or two at craft stores. They're small and a bundant

[talltreehill7]

good to have in an emergency .. a bit of light is a comfort ..

they are h20 proof are'nt they too ?. cold temps. can zap batteries .. i always got one in my pack... never was to fond of the glow sticks . but they are good to have ..

I also got a good headlamp , and one other light ... I do lots of night hikes ..

[haha48]

you can also get a reusable glow stick as well.. its just a led light in a tube.. I use it for diveing over a glow stick..

[samurimaster500]

basically i have only two of thses in each kit that i have. but the only time i will every use them is for night time signaling thats all they are good for nothing else. and if you really need that much light just make a fire. good vid.

[samurimaster500]

basically i have only two of thses in each kit that i have. but the only time i will every use them is for night time signaling thats all they are good for nothing else. and if you really need that much light just make a fire. good vid.

[RDPproject]

I have glowsticks and flashlights.

But I always carry a green KRILL light with me.

Its a battery operated glowstick light. Check them out

her ---> kriana (dot) c o m

[RDPproject]

I have glowsticks and flashlights.

But I always carry a green KRILL light with me.

Its a battery operated glowstick light. Check them out

her ---> kriana (dot) c o m

[RDPproject]

I have glowsticks and flashlights.

But I always carry a green KRILL light with me.

Its a battery operated glowstick light. Check them out

her ---> kriana (dot) c o m

[RDPproject]

I have glowsticks and flashlights.

But I always carry a green KRILL light with me.

Its a battery operated glowstick light. Check them out

her ---> kriana (dot) c o m

[RDPproject]

I have glowsticks and flashlights.

But I always carry a green KRILL light with me.

Its a battery operated glowstick light. Check them out

her ---> kriana (dot) c o m

[illyounotme]

Another good use of glow sticks is using the red light glow sticks to light the perimeter of your camp. They help light but do not kill your night vision. I do agree that there is a lot of waste with glow sticks & only carry a few mini ones, about half the size of regular ones. I do agree mini LED flashlights work better & have quite a few of them. I would point out the one other thing, that flashlight batteries die & a back up is a good idea always. Solar battery charger, wind up light, etc..

[haha48]

Well glow stick on a string you can swing it in the night and make it very visable..

[illyounotme]

The glow sticks are definitely emergency lighting. Imagine if you will you just had a nice tumble & fell into a stream or river. Your entire bag is soaking wet. Most of your electronic devices are now ruined, or at least out of commission until they dry out. A glow stick can give you light when you need it most. When an emergency has prevented your other lights from working. Yes there are water resistant & proof flashlights, but they don't cost $1.

[60odeeman]

These things are the perfect example of what is really wrong with our "throw away" society.

Plastic package that will never degrade and will remain in a landfill forever...

[60odeeman]

These things are the perfect example of what is really wrong with our "throw away" society.

Plastice package that will never degrade and will remain in a landfill forever...

[Dmajorproductions]

i use them as beacons when im caving with my buddies, if lights die, we can regroup and take out spare lights or start a fire.

[evankoeve]

Great video

[evankoeve]

Great video

[WarzoneMerc]

You could tie to a shaft of a arrow like rambo.

[devilspieceofmind]

i figured out how to reactivate them if you have an old microwave and pop the glow stick in for 30 seconds and it will glow again makes you think what does it do to your food lol

[Luccian22]

The idee is that a glow stick is fail proof, as long as you dont activate it by mistake.

[SavageArms357]

I have a few that last 12 hours. I think they were 50 cents each. I like them as backup lighting.

[Borhanjr4]

In my opinion you should pack both

[sae1095hc]

A lot of uses in the military and survival situations, where enviromental concerns aren't high-up on the list of priorities. In camping and outdoorsy activities, disposable just means: More trash to pack out.

[DigitalSkyline]

Wear that glowstick around your neck in a shtf situation... lol! Insta-target that you can even shut off.

[talltreehill7]

@DigitalSkyline you can buy GI light stick holders that have a slide on it to control the light output.. never used one but i have seen them.

[RememberThe1776]

Glow sticks are better for underwater or the replacement for the uplifting security that a glowing campfire would provide ... Though it does last little time.

[EastTNSurvivalist]

You should look into the lifegear electronic glowstick. It's five bucks and has an LED light, glow stick, strobe, and whistle. Pretty niftly little survival aid.

[envirosponsible]

@EastTNSurvivalist I'm already glad I put this video up. Thanks for the suggestion.

[BitFox]

@envirosponsible They sell them(or something similar) at my Canadian Tire here in Alberta this year, check our yours :)

[matty0234]

@EastTNSurvivalist I have an LED Glowstick in my Bug Out Bag and Go Bag too. I like them a lot because with fresh batteries, they rival glow sticks in brightness and have the same applications. I also carry an LED Headlamp that uses AA batteries and a small mini Mag Lite that uses AA also. The only draw back I find to the LED Glowstick is that it uses small lithium watch batteries that arent exactly the most practical for a kit where nothing else uses them. My red dot does but a different size.

[beast12101]

I agree,I have switched to the Life gear glowlights,200 hrs run time, flashlight/glowstick in one, and you can easily change the battery

[ComradeGeneralK]

They have LED lanterns that I think would better fill the need for area lighing. The thing with the keychain leds is that you have to hold them and point them in the area you need light. A lightstick throws light 360. A LED lantern can fill your whole tent/bug out shelter with light. All the advantages of a lightstick and a LED light.

[cbr6864]

i like the $ store glow sticks they they last only about an hour. as sometimes you dont want them to last that long. the mil spec ones last a really long time.