Sometimes I play this game when I am walking around a mall or around town. I try to spot people who aren’t paying attention to their surroundings, people around them, and traffic on the roads. Try it, you’ll be surprised how many people are so distracted that they literally risk getting run over by traffic or other people. Maybe you’ve seen the online videos of people who are too busy with their handphones that they walk into lampposts, closed doors, and water fountains. Don’t be like them.
This article is intended to get the conversation going. The topics addressed require much more detailed discussions that I can comfortably fit into one article that people would want to read from start to finish. So let us begin.
Being aware of your surroundings is essential for staying safe. By paying attention, you can often avoid problems before they start. For example, if you notice a group of people acting suspiciously, you might choose to cross the street or take a different route. At night, it’s safer to walk along well-lit paths instead of through dark alleys. It’s also important to avoid distractions, like wearing headphones when you’re walking alone, so you can hear what’s going on around you.
Criminals prefer prey that are distracted. Be alert, pay attention, and spot potential hazards and threats before they become actual or immediate threats. Distance buys you time, and time buys you options. Options to change your direction of travel or your behavior.
It’s also good if you have at your disposal certain tools that can give you an added advantage of identifying potential threats. These are collectively known as everyday carry or EDC tools. For me, I always carry a handheld torch. Not just any torch but one that has sufficient brightness (lumens) and throw (candela) that will enable me to see and identify objects at least 50m away. I have a torch in my hand when I am walking back to my car after dinner, for example. It would be good if you had a torch that is multifunctional in terms of power settings (low-medium-high-turbo) and maybe even an instant-on strobe function. A powerful strobe light in low light conditions is blinding, and again, it buys you time. Time to leg it out of there. Also, in a pinch, it can be used as a blunt-force weapon to hammer their exposed areas like their face or neck. It’s better than nothing. Some torches also have a special serrated bezel that can be used to defend yourself and break car windows and windscreens in the event you need to escape and the doors are jammed.
So what handheld torch do I carry as part of my EDC? I cycle between two. During the day, I carry a Nitecore EDC27. This 3000 lumen (in turbo mode) torch will throw a beam over 200m away (although it is more of a flood rather than a spotlight). It also has a strobe function with an instant-on button located on its tail cap. It is also more of a rounded rectangle in shape as opposed to the usual rounded body shape, so this means it can be carried more discretely and comfortably in your pants pocket. Highly recommended, and it is for sale in Tycoma Arms.
If I am going out at night, I switch to my NexTorch TA30 (discontinued). This has a traditional rounded body shape, but what I like about it is that it has a better “hotspot,” meaning it has a concentrated light spot when used to illuminate an object, while still having sufficient spillover to illuminate an area. It still has a strobe function that is quickly accessible through a button on its tail cap.
While both the EDC27 and the TA30 have lockout functions, the TA30 is simply by loosening the tail cap a little to prevent a sufficient contact. The EDC27 has two lockout levels, and I find it too fidgety to deactivate the full lockout feature while the half lockout function (which allows instant-on turbo mode strobe only) has the tendency to activate in my pocket, and I’ve burnt holes in more than one pair of my pants. So at night, where the likelihood is higher that I need to access a torch quickly, I prefer the TA30 as I don’t have to fuss around with pressing buttons in a particular order to unlock its features. This is my personal preference; you may have different thresholds and needs. Find a handheld torch that works for YOU.
Another EDC tool that I carry daily is a good multi-tool. Currently, I carry a Leatherman OHT, which has 16 tools for a variety of uses, including pliers, wirecutters, flathead and Phillips screwdrivers, can openers, and a small knife. I use my Leatherman A LOT, and it is probably due for a replacement, or at least I need another one for my EDC rotation.
Yes, it has a small knife that I use to open boxes, etc. It also has a saw, but I caution you to be very careful about carrying a dedicated knife as part of your EDC setup. In Malaysia, the legality of carrying a knife is not black and white. There is no specific length of knife that determines if it is legal or illegal. It depends on your intent. If questioned by the authorities, you must be able to justify why you have such a knife in your possession. Some knives, like switchblade and butterfly knives, are specifically illegal. To avoid issues, it’s best to carry knives only when necessary (like going camping), avoid knives that are not classified as offensive weapons as per Corrosive and Explosive Substances and Offensive Weapons Act 1958, and also exercise caution and be sensible while carrying knives.
The topic of knives and flashlights/torches is deserving of a dedicated post, and that will be on my to-do list for 2025.
Another good item to carry as part of your EDC setup, although maybe in your EDC bag (again, another topic worth its own article), is a small first aid kit. That way, you can treat minor injuries such as cuts, abrasions, insect bites, and allergies before seeking professional medical attention if necessary. I carry a first aid kit in my EDC bag, complete with a tourniquet.
Anyway, this is becoming a novel. Let’s wrap this up.
Here are a few key points about SA and EDC:
1. Situational awareness isn’t just about spotting danger. It’s also about noticing when someone needs help. If you see someone in trouble, you can offer assistance or get help.
2. Carrying EDC items isn’t enough. You need to know how to use them properly. Practice with your tools so that you’re confident when the time comes to use them.
3. The goal is to be prepared. While you can’t predict every situation, being aware and having essential items on hand makes you much better equipped to handle unexpected events.
There’s a saying that captures the idea well: “Don’t be caught doing stupid things, in stupid places, with stupid people, at stupid times.”
Note: featured image created using GROK AI
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