Search and Rescue - Integrating LED Flashlights and LED Headlamps

If you've ever been or known a search and rescue operator then you know the danger, stress, and high level of training involved in a successful rescue-op. With so many factors working against you such as time and weather, there's no such thing as "over prepared," says Don Harding of Sierra Search and Rescue volunteers. "Be cause we work in often extreme conditions, we need extreme equipment." This is where solid state lighting technology comes into play. LEDs offer a versatile range of functional attributes including: durability, brightness, long-life, low energy consumption, and light color variance. This translates to a better and bigger range of equipment possibilities for search and rescue volunteers. There are LED bike lights, LED flashlights, LED headlamps, and Off Road LED lights to suit any rescue operation in any terrain.
"I have two or three LED flashlights and LED headlamps I can rely on to make my job a little easier, and more importantly to save lives," says Don. Because of the harsh terrain of many rescues operations, members turn to ATV, Jeeps, and Snowmobiles as transportation mediums. With Off Road LED lights, night operations have been made a much more successful endeavor. These lights according to lumen testing are emitting up to 20,000 lumens in some cases. That's a lot of light equivalent to 10 car headlights. These Off Road LED lights can even be used as spot lights when attaching the appropriate reflector.
However, the main weapons of the search and rescue arsenal still sit with personal lighting optics such as LED flashlights and LED headlamps. These days LED flashlights are capable of producing in the range of 2000 lumens with battery life topping 2 hours on the units 'high' setting. These lights make older incandescent torches look miniscule in comparison. LED headlamps are gaining popularity for many rescue crews as well. "With hands-free lighting it's just one less thing to worry about, and one more free hand to work with," comments Don. LED headlamps can produce up to 1000 lumens while sporting a lightweight battery pack with charges lasting hours.
LED lights are fast becoming a lighting tool of choice for search and rescue operations. The reliability and functionality of this lighting source has proven a better help in successful search and rescue mission. These benefits aren't limited to search and rescue either. Outdoor and sports enthusiasts are getting the same results too.