The #1 Self Defense Tool You Should Be Carrying (ft. Icy Mike)

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[@jacobhochstetler825]

For the strikers out there my best tip is to flash the light at an opponent when you would normally feint. That way it does not even change your normal fight rhythm. I have been carrying a flashlight like this for around 8 years now. Thanks for getting this out there Gabriel.

[@GabrielVargaOfficial]

Thanks for the info!

[@jacobhochstetler825]

@@GabrielVargaOfficial No, thank you! I love your channel.

[@codeblueopinions2908]

What kind of flashlight is this

[@mikewright8255]

Knowing icy mike it will be an olight

[@BogalaSawundiris]

An Olight with a pepper spray attachment is the ultimate portable NON-LETHAL portable self defence weapon ever.

[@somilviradia7726]

The best use of a flashlight in a street fight is to signal for Batman. Batman can take out multiple attackers.

[@jamesstonekickboxing]

lol

[@corvoadrian6970]

Gabriel looked like a child learning a new trick, and that's exactly the way to always improve, being excited to learn new things, hope we get more of those videos with others fighters) KZbinrs

[@JoeBingty]

Mike's slick spidey hand sign at "power of the sun in your hands" lol

[@williamle-ed2nk]

if it hasn't been mentioned already i would recommend a light with high candela over lumens. candela results in more light focused in a narrower angle compared to lumens spreading light across a wider area. two lights can have the same lumens but if one has a higher candela it will be more effective at blinding and at a farther distance.

[@morphine777morph5]

only downside of using a torch is it doesnt affect blind people jk but really its a very smart idea to use a torch

[@GabrielVargaOfficial]

😄👏

[@dukenukem6369]

Honestly always been a concealed carry kinda guy, but this is so dang intelligent!

[@GabrielVargaOfficial]

I like it! I'm carry around the flashlight Mike gave me when I'm outside of Victoria now.

[@Gosh_Zilla]

8:58 Mike turned into Doctor Octopus for a second here.

[@lenkrenzler6560]

I also found out it works really well on dogs. I was approached by a whole pack in Thailand and was able to keep them off. They lose their aggression right away.

[@anguscaffrey4793]

When I was a teenager I used to skateboard around at night, one night I rode past the house in town that was known as the drug place and there were a group of guys standing out front. They heard my skateboard rolling up, turned and one of the guys pointed a strobing flashlight right at my eyes. Luckily no one attacked me, they just told me to "keep skating" but I could not see right for at least 5 minutes after. Very effective if you want to impair someone's vision at night

[@notmyname3681]

As a skater I always found a deck to be a real good deterrent in self defense. If only I'd had a strobe too, would be unstoppable😅

[@Jake-yz3qv]

And the best part, even if you never get into a single violent altercation in your life, its still a flashlight. Useful as hell

[@therealdestructicus]

In 8 years of doing security, I've had to go hands on plenty, but uve never been hit, or had to hit anyone, mostly because if I think it's going that way, I blast them with a 1000 lumen flashlight, so far (knock on wood) it's taken the fight out of them every time.

[@GabrielVargaOfficial]

Love to hear it.

[@driver3899]

Do you just use it for a quick flash normally or hold it in their face?

[@huntexlee]

​@@driver3899from personal testing (flashing myself), I found that you need to shoot it for a little while for it to really hurt, but a while does fuck with u a lil

[@falkschiffner6565]

In addition, the flash light also works as a awareness trigger... Everytime I'm I have a strange gut feeling when walking trought the city, I take the flashlight in my hand, and as if i am switched myself on, i am so much more aware about my surrounding. + it is just a flashlight, I also use it often, esp. in the dark wintertime!

[@GabrielVargaOfficial]

Do you agree with Mike's choice for the street self defense weapon? Who is going to head out and buy one today? I like it!!! Looking for a light? Grab something like this amzn.to/3Ix4HxK Be sure to grab some AG1 from Athletic Greens. This nutrition drink is great and I'm using it everyday right now. athleticgreens.com/gabrielvarga

[@kez_the_reaper2657]

I agree I've seen mike's videos on it and it makes sense to me I used to work nights and cycle to and from work and I got a decent torch based on his videos, not with the intention of fighting with it but because it was really useful to be able to see stuff at night, to do my padlock on the bike look for anything I dropped and make myself visible to cars if they were at an angle they might not have seen the lights on the bike

[@user-qv4fp9vm8u]

Oh I am definitely going to buy one as soon as possible

[@Sorel366]

His point is to blind the opponent with the light. In that case why not blind him with pepper spray. Pepper spray is hands down the best non lethal self defense tool, and I woud argue it's even better than pocket knives. I'm not a combat world champion but have been in my fair share of street fights where different weapons were used (1 on 1, and royal rumbles too). I have had to pepper spray people on 3 different occasions in self defense. Pepper spray ALWAYS WORKS if you get them in the eyes, be generous with it. As soon as they cover their face with their hands which they always do spray their hands as well this way they'll be applying more of it on their face. In Canada you can carry dog spray, it's the same. In case of attack by multiple attackers spray the closest to you, that's one down already.

[@adamtankersley7441]

I like the light. Mine is an older stream light, and with a quick double click it strobes. I forget the lumen count right off hand, but it is crazy bright and disorienting.

[@HessianLikeTheFabric]

@@Sorel366 Pepper spray is definitely a weapon. Light usually does not count as a weapon. Very different situation legally and morally.

[@deansmith3237]

Was it just me, or did Icy Mike intentionally quote Spiderman 2 just then at 8:58 😂

[@saturdaynight7649]

Icy Mike's sold me on this years ago. I try to carry a small high-powered flashlight every time I leave the house and it's come in handy many times. Zero of those times were self-defense related but it's always there just in case I guess haha

[@Chiburi]

I’ve carried a flashlight on me for this purpose every day for 19 years, back in the day before LED lights when incandescent bulbs cost an arm and a leg, they lasted for like 5 minutes and 120 lumens was pure magic.

[@GabrielVargaOfficial]

Have you ever used it in a conflict?

[@viiltelijamurhaaja7225]

Mike thinks 400 lumens is the minimum. Was 120 enough in your opinion?

[@Chiburi]

@@viiltelijamurhaaja7225 120 lumens on close range will definitely mess up your vision in the dark. At the time it was the strongest there was, I used a Surefire 6P. For illumination the incandescent bulbs were better than the LED’s for s long time, because there was a broader, more complete range of colour in them but nowadays LED’s are pretty good in that respect and insanely bright. My carry light today is a Nextorch TA30.

[@Chiburi]

@@GabrielVargaOfficial No. I’ve used palm strikes and C-hand to the throat 😊

[@dirtpoorchris]

None of you will ever probably have to deal with this but a tactic at gangster houses is to have thick blankets over the windows so they can turn all the lights off and ambush you during your deal or setup or whatever. With the windows blanketed out you see ZERO while they get their guns and stuff ready and then turn the lights back on. Always helps to have a flashlight.

[@Mishkola]

My dad actually called me to come to his business late at night a couple years ago because there was a deranged guy wandering around and he didn't know what to expect. I had to quickly find a weapon and one of these tiny but powerful flashlights was what I grabbed. Luckily, we calmed the guy down (I think he saw I had a death grip on something in my hand and he didn't want to find out what it was).

[@JehuMartin]

As Master Ken would say, "BULL****!" 🤣. Seriously though, when you're outside in sunlight, this may not be the best option. At night this is golden. Love the collab.

[@GabrielVargaOfficial]

Mike said at night is even better but man this thing blinded me during the day. And he had it on the "gentle" setting.

[@Allegedly_Angel]

You’d be surprised how bright some of these flashlights are 😅 I’d recommend checking out more of Mikes videos on the subject. Flashlight is OP

[@JehuMartin]

@@Allegedly_Angel Sounds good! But will it stop a pitbull? 🤔

[@moctezumita]

@@JehuMartin Probably confuse it

[@reginaldscot165]

I have a video from 6 years ago where I work this out by myself. Living in the UK you can’t really carry anything, so this and a small bottle of lemon juice is basically your only option.

[@johnzeigler5130]

Yes! I concealed carry, and have a few other tools on me as well, but a good light is hard to beat. Not to mention how handy it is to have a light on you everyday. I use my light multiple times everyday for a variety of tasks. I use it far more than my multi-tool/knife. I dropped my Fenix UC35 light in the bottom of a pond and retrieved it with a magnet the next morning and it was still on, and I still use it months later! I would recommend that model to anyone, but am currently looking at getting a PD35R.

[@Immigrantlovesamerica]

Adding to your comment, I prefer individual flashlights as opposed to flashlights mounted on on a gun. The purpose of a flashlight is to discover and maneuver, and so if you mount it to your gun, then you are waving your gun around, without knowing what youre about to point your gun to. Not very safe, especially for home defense.

[@Daiyuki117]

As a security guard who ONLY has a flashlight, absolutely 100% agree

[@MajorDrinkins]

Solid advice. Thank you.

[@RemainRealProductions]

Mike said situational awareness 😳

[@lucast.6474]

Just about the only thing I would daily carry, just because it has a function outside hurting people.

[@stevenshar1233]

To be fair, Seth did drop one of his attackers in the video initially and everyone was playing nice. If he put more of his weight in his attacks, he would've dropped several more people.

[@GabrielVargaOfficial]

That is true. He groined kicked someone light and they didn't slow down.

[@angelsjoker8190]

Yes, if you're a heavy hitter, it's not unrealistic that you may drop untrained attackers with one punch. There is a video of a Turkish boxer who gets attacked by 5-6 regular dudes in what seems like a road rage incident, while retreating he mainly jabs them and several of them drop. They're not necessarily out cold but still he manages to take no damage and hold them at bay.

[@huwhitecavebeast1972]

Yes, it is totally different when sparring vs real fighting. When doing stick fighting due to the protective head gear, people were able to keep going despite receiving and uncountable number of blows that would have disabled or killed them. Same for knife fighting, in sparring using training blades with lipstick up and down the edges, people would keep going even though it was clear that very early on their body was covered with ugly looking red gashes made by the lipstick, including across the face or throat. When we broke out the training knives that are also tasers, it changed everything. No one wanted to get shocked by that thing and the reactions were involuntary.

[@corychartier7961]

Love to see a expert in one area of martial arts just willing to learn.

[@simoncurran6184]

I watched icy Mike talk about the flash light and got myself one for Christmas. It on me all the time and I use it most days(not self defence). Thank you both

[@staysafemartialarts]

Amazing video. Mike has a wealth of knowledge and is a great guy to work with

[@huwhitecavebeast1972]

I disagree.

[@ClantonCombatives]

Subscribed. Probably not surprised to hear how excited Mike was when I sent him one of my rubber training flashlights recently. I believe he’s planning a video on it

[@The31st]

It's also just very useful to have a bright torch for general use

[@gw1357]

Surefire E2D LED Defender. I bought one for my wife for Christmas. 100% agree with Mike.

[@kez_the_reaper2657]

Oh no fair I'm just about to head out to the gym 😂

[@GabrielVargaOfficial]

It's okay. I won't take it down while you're working out 😜

[@kingofgufi]

this is actually brilliant!!

[@RebelSAT]

Totally convinced!!😄

[@spencestep1998]

Super fun vid guys, love when you guys collab

[@GM-hu2xj]

Canadian here.. just to let you know there is no Castle Doctrine in Canada, we have a legal obligation to retreat danger, even in our own home. No stand your ground law either. Weapons are a no no too. Great option guys, I carry a flashlight everywhere. Thank You!

[@scottyg5403]

I worked as a bouncer for many years and only things we could carry was a good strong flashlight and a radio for backup! That being said we made sure we have pat downs and confiscate any weapons but the flashlight proved to be an incredible tool!

[@priley817]

Do you have any stories where you actually applied the flashlight?

[@scottyg5403]

@@priley817 well considering the fact I did that job for over twelve years yeah I have plenty of stories but too many to get into here. The rougher clubs I worked in you could pretty much guarantee you were going to mix it up on the weekends. We mainly use a flashlight as a distraction kind of like what they're showing in the video but everyone knew if you were going to use it to strike you would not strike to the Head. Also in some of those clubs when the music's really loud you can barely hear the radio we would use it to signal each other that there was a situation. Later when I worked in some of the nicer restaurants we didn't have to mix it up so much but flashlights were a requirement of the job.

[@th8132]

Fellow nightclub bouncer here and facts. Flashlights and a mouth piece have been incredibly effective tools. Flashlights come especially handy for blinding people's camera phones.

[@cynot71]

Man, I know this one already! I also have that flashlight with the same color, too! I want 10:36 minutes back.

[@huntexlee]

which exact product is it if you dont mind me askong

[@antedivic9214]

Amaizing information

[@aldavedesierdo42]

It's great. It's a tool that doesn't really projects a "self-defense" weapon in many cases and can be a great asset in your EDC assuming that you already know the basics on how to fight of course otherwise, it would be useless. Great video!

[@The31st]

Tbf what tool could you use on someone without any knowledge of fighting?

[@aldavedesierdo42]

@@The31st I think man everybody should know how to box, push kick and some basic grapple. Your weapons are useless if your body is not really coordinated same as Mike who said that "a carpenter is more fearsome than a weeb with a katana." With that said I think a self-defense poking pen or screwdriver is good because they are light and easy to conceal than knife or guns.

[@obscurelines]

A further consideration with the flashlight is that it can change the mind of people who might use darkness or your aloneness to attack you. They realise they are suddenly on view, not just to you, but to others.

[@Damesanglante]

It is a combat strategy to disrupt enemy's vision in gun fu situation. Even stroboscopic flashlights are used. I agree it is a great tool.

[@jameswinters5077]

I feel really confident in your endorsements because I have the impression you are the type of person you wouldn't say something about a product unless you mean it and probably use it so I am going to see about trying AG1 so thanks

[@jonharker9028]

Late to the video, but that’s always the vibe I get from Gabriel, too. It’s also cool because his wife is also a nurse, so they’re both very health-conscious people. I was also recommended AG1 by another channel involved in fitness and recovery (with a focus on the medical perspective), MPMD, so I would double up the recommendation from this perspective.

[@formoney5255]

I think being Gabriel Varga is probably a better self defense tool than the flashlight.

[@andrewanastasovski1609]

They put a nice little flash like this on my alcohol of choice. It was a nice gift that I appreciate.

[@lexcastaneda7672]

Bro that Spider-Man reference 🤣🤣I love icy mike

[@Ninjacob00]

This was the best reaction to those who’ve never seen Mike’s previous videos on flashlights

[@TheOnlySomke]

With great power, comes great responsibility

[@The31st]

I love the flashlight for self defence since watching H2H. I've never had to use it yet expect to see where I'm going at night, which I assume means it's working.

[@robirwin9514]

And I carry mine in the airplane, museums, sporting venues, literally anywhere.

[@Ash__Adler]

"What's the thought process there?" Can't react to a photon 🙂 (I'm in Canada, too, and I EDC a flashlight 🙂)

[@jonathanwu6508]

Caught the spider man 2 reference at 8:58 Nice icey mike

[@tkmuaythaichronicle9657]

Super smart!

[@davidpy7546]

Thanks for the video. An Olight Flashlight like my good old M2r Warrior Pro is really the best legal weapon to always have on oneself 👍

[@NoBody-xx6ii]

trash

[@LM-fu3fk]

kind of make me wanna get one like that, probably will.

[@tomnaughadie]

Add safety toed boots and you'll be unstoppable.

[@jacobhochstetler825]

I'm not a fan of safety toe boots. I feel like they slow my footwork down too much. But hey, if it works for you go for it.

[@someboi4903]

Savateurs with toed boots 😳😳😳

[@tomnaughadie]

@@jacobhochstetler825 It definitely takes some getting used to the weight, but if I'm being honest I don't think my footwork is good enough to be more useful than boots. Someone with good footwork is probably better off without them. I did say safety toed instead of steel toed on purpose though because there are non-metal ones that are lighter. (Still heavier than a boxing shoe though.)

[@jacobhochstetler825]

@@tomnaughadie That is a good point I had not thought about composite toe.

[@Jake-yz3qv]

@@someboi4903 I wish Savate was more popular, I think it'd be great to learn for self defense

[@stormbringer5826]

you heard it here first, Sensei Seth successfully beat two men off.

[@kitelooper311]

Which model flashlight is that? Mike mentioned that it was an expensive one but any light over 350 lumens would work.

[@petertallowin6406]

Oh my. That is genius. I live in the UK where all weapons are illegal and self defence would be tricky to prove with all the he said she said. There is nothing to say you can't carry a torch around. Thank you for sharing this. Shoot lumens not bullets.....

[@GabrielVargaOfficial]

Yes. I love this advice. Thanks so much Icy Mike 🙏

[@huwhitecavebeast1972]

I prefer bullets but understand since you live in UK

[@CallousCarter]

Used to be a thing in the UK for Police and some security to carry a big flashlight which could double as a kosh.

[@elsuperpollo2273]

My two favorite channels

[@nacktheslayer9882]

The spider-man 2 reference LOL

[@BMO_Creative]

GOTTA BE A FLASHLIGHT!!!

[@pantsuslayer8631]

It really was an amazing video, im short on money but I will get one like that someday

[@ajking4836]

What was the type of flashlight you got? Would love to pick one up!

[@apexape]

7:33 the moment Gabriel understood the power of the flash

[@hourglas]

Realizing that a flashlight is just the evolved form of pocket sand.

[@IHateHandleNames]

The best thing about the flashlight also is there isnt a high risk behind "flashing" someone. You dont even have to be in striking range to do it. It cant readily be blocked. Theres no real setup needed. You can decide what to do once you've successfully flashed someone. I was convinced after thinking about it a bit.

[@elsuperpollo2273]

Flashlights, are fun to strike with.

[@paulorawdogcosta3630]

Personally I would hold it in lead hand where I can jab with it and makes your jabs stronger when you’re holding something hard in your palm. Also use the lead hand for take down defense because you wouldn’t use the flash function when you’re grappling. IMO it takes more time aiming with your right hand to blind and fire with the right

[@paulorawdogcosta3630]

Not that I have actually used this in real life, but been carrying the best flashlight on the market around me since 2010 for self defense

[@jamieniche]

I've always wondered if a really powerful head flashlight would work.

[@jamielondon6436]

If I ever were to be sold on the idea of arming up on purpose, I'd probably follow Icy Mike's recommendations - he sure knows what he's talking about!

[@huwhitecavebeast1972]

Maybe about flashlights but not about other things.

[@CoASoFi]

I’ve been slowly gifting all my friends and family O Lights for this very reason. Flashlights are OP.

[@kueyteow8663]

Make sure it's instant turbo

[@MrIsles192]

Being from the UK, carry laws are verrry strict, so i will 100% getting a torch for self defence.

[@undeadpresident]

I think that while a flashlight like that is not a bad idea, I also think that you would need something more serious for a more serious kind of confrontation. All a flashlight can do is buy you a little time at best. While that may be all you need, it also may not.

[@whoknows8223]

Agree. I'd buy my wife rather a taser.

[@undeadpresident]

@@whoknows8223 In capable hands nothing beats a gun. That's the very reason governments try to ban them. Because people can protect themselves with them - even against governments, and they just can't stand the thought of that.

[@aryeh155]

What if you punch like you would in Irish stick fighting with flashlight

[@EelcoHillenius]

'You might be in a lot of trouble... or even feel bad!' lol

[@Yt_chatEnjoyer]

Obviously if y’all watched fighttips the mouthguard is the best self defense weapon 🤣🤣

[@FrozenBranch]

8:32 is me when I wonder effective pepper spray is

[@efingrimey]

What light is it?

[@ward23]

“ 2 Guys, can he beat them off?” Mike: 😬

[@bigc5630]

"Yeah, cus before", LMAO

[@salvospeaks]

Do you know where Mike got those flashlights?

[@samuelpereira3369]

Hii You sould make a video with the french Martial arts Chanel karatebushido It would be cool 😊

[@verrufen2642]

Out of interest, how many lumens is the flashlight that icy mike recommends?

[@Psysso]

Anything upwards of 300 lumens is absolutely blinding in the dark.

[@sprk11]

Been following Icy Mike for a while, even used to dig a bit about Canadian laws vs American ideals. Mostly I wanted defense tips against bears and moose as I am more apt to be attacked by a bear than a crack head mobster want to be. And I still want to know what affect a strobing flash light has against a bear. Good to see this I'll give ya a follow and see what your channel is like.

[@avancalledrupert5130]

In the UK the law is reasonable and proportional force . You may not carry an offensive weapon. But you may improvise a defensive weapon if proportional. I carry a carpenters pencil . You can shank a man up with that if you have 2 . Shilalige walking stick is a good one aswel.

[@GabrielVargaOfficial]

Oh dang. That's clever...and sounds a bit brutal 😮

[@vico4386]

what if you tie it to your wrist so you can still wrestle

[@SamsNotTheMan]

What model are those?

[@CN901]

What brand/model is that flashlight?

[@Crunchy166]

Probably Olight

[@hatescheese]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJq9ZX1jqbWirZY thats the one he recommended a while back, I bought it, its awesome

[@revelation5577]

A rabid Raccoon once charged me at 6 am, almost day, and i had my 100 lumes service flashlight on me and the Raccoon stopped dead in its tracks. I will check this one out now

[@honigdachs.]

Never thought about a flashlight. Very interesting. I do have a knife and can use it, because crazy youthhood haha, but at my age, I'd rather not make an incredible ass out of myself and fuck up my life.

[@PBas-qq4uh]

I think here in the Uk that is actually perfect stealth weapon considering we aren't allowed any kind of weapon. We have a huge epidemic with psychotic teenagers wielding machetes swords and huge knives, stabbings and murders have gone through the roof. Material like this is so paramount in today's society I there was much wider education on it.

[@dilsonzanardi9820]

Dude just made a spiderman 2 reference

[@TheSeraphim75]

Yeah this wont work in a street fight with Stevie Wonder

[@dvof5198]

🤣 😎

[@Jake-yz3qv]

Don't piss off Daredevil

[@dirtpoorchris]

Pocket full of anthrax. Just throw it in their face and start laughing maniacally. Oh and get the anthrax booster to protect you.

[@user-qv4fp9vm8u]

LMFAO thank you

[@Crunchy166]

0:19 AYO WHAT XD

[@fux696]

😂