If you’re a frequent camper or hiker, or don’t use cell service often, most of these products won’t help you in an emergency. That’s where a satellite messenger comes in.
We have a instructions with several options for different situations, but the Garmin inReach Mini is one of our favorites. It’s lightweight and takes up little space in your pocket, plus it uses the super-fast Iridium satellite network to ask your SOS for help.
Garmin inReach Mini for $350 from Garmin and Amazon.
Infinity X1 . Hybrid Flashlight
Photo: Infinity X1
I’ve talked to several self-defense teachers over the years, who consistently recommend flashlights as a personal safety device—yes, more than a mace or pocket knife. The flashlight will obviously light your way when you’re walking in the dark, which can help you see someone obscured by the dark, but there are two other reasons why this flashlight works. Shining a flashlight in someone’s eyes will disorient them, hopefully long enough for you to escape. I was almost blinded by the iPhone’s camera flash, so imagine thousands of lumens shining straight into your eyeballs. If it’s really a nice stranger asking for directions and not a threat, then you haven’t really harmed them and you’ll be far before you realize what’s different. (Sorry, stranger.)
If it fails, you can use it to hit them. A piece of metal hitting your face hurts more than your fist and won’t hurt you in the process. Get a good swing and run. Of course, like any weapon, it can be taken from you and used against you, so keep that in mind.
The Infinity X1 Hybrid Energy Flashlight ($79) has 4,000 lumens (brands with Other options are available too). When I turn it on in my apartment, it makes the room brighter than my actual lights. It comes with two cores, one that houses the battery and the other that is rechargeable. There are cheaper flashlights, but I like that the charging core can also charge your phone, so it’s not bad anyway if you’re always available for emergencies. It’s heavy and long, which is great if you need to rotate it, but won’t stow easily in your wallet.
★ Cheaper option: Any flashlight with a great weight will do, and there are a few others that we really like. WIRED writer Matt Jancer recommends 350 lumens Fenix E20 V2 ($45) in him Instructions for creating a Home Emergency Kit. It’s compact, so it won’t be too uncomfortable to put in your pocket, but it’s still made of sturdy metal. Even less, writer Louryn Strampe recommends 900-lumen Anker’s Rechargeable Bolder ($30), there is even a strobe function. It’s a lot smaller, but it will still produce a punch stronger than a lone fist.
Infinity X1 Hybrid Energy Flashlight for $79 from infinity X1.
