What We Will Cover

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Light Science Made Simple:

Understand lumens (total light output) vs. candela (focused intensity). Learn how spill vs. throw affects threat ID, search work, indoor clearance, hallways, and outdoor distance engagements. Compare real-world beam patterns, color temperature, and how photonic barriers work in smoke, fog, rain, and tinted windows.

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Tactical Advantages of Candela:

Penetrating power for long hallways, vehicles, and outdoor environments; ability to cut through other lights; improved PID (Positive Identification) at distance. How high-candela lights disrupt an aggressor’s vision, force head turns, and break visual tracking.

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Tactical Advantages of Lumens:

Flood patterns for room dominance, rapid area checks, tracking multiple subjects, and maximizing peripheral assessment in tight indoor structures. Learn how high-lumen spill helps you maintain situational awareness without over-penetrating small rooms.

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Grip, Activation & Switching:

Thumb vs. index activation, momentary vs. constant-on, pressure switches, handheld vs. weapon-mounted techniques (Harries, FBI, neck index, modified Rogers). Pros/cons for armed security, home defense, and concealed carry.

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Movement in Low Light:

Angles, slicing the pie, barricade use, backlighting hazards, silhouette management, and using shadows to your advantage. Learn safe step patterns and how to avoid washing your team with light.

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Target ID & Shoot/No-Shoot:

Processing unknown contacts, distinguishing weapons vs. non-weapons, identifying furtive movements, and integrating white light into your decision-making model. (Not legal advice; Oklahoma-context examples included.)

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Light Over Light Strategies:

How to defeat opponent flashlights, understand photonic barriers, employ strobing properly (when appropriate), and avoid common mistakes like blinding your own team or reflecting off mirrors/glass.

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Contested Environment Drills:

Room-entry lighting, hallway approaches, vehicle approaches, outdoor perimeter work, and subject compliance using illumination. Includes force-on-force low-light threat ID with inert tools.

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Equipment Selection:

Comparing lights from 300–5,000 lumens and 5k–100k candela. Weapon-mounted vs. handheld selections for pistol, rifle, and duty belts. Battery types, chargers, and runtime considerations for operational environments.

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Approximate Length

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8 hours core — fundamentals, drills, and practical light-use exercises.

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Outcome

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Certificate of Completion in Tactical White Light Operations.

Graduates will demonstrate safe and effective use of white light for:

• Threat identification
• Movement and angles
• Defensive manipulation
• Gear selection
• Lumens vs. candela application
• Reducing liability through positive target ID and controlled use of illumination

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(Every student that attends this certification course will be awarded 8 Hours of CLE Learning Hours)

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What to Expect Logistically

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Prerequisites:

None. Basic firearms familiarity recommended but not required for handheld-only classes.

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What to Bring:

Government ID, handheld light (and WML if applicable), spare batteries, belt/holster (NO live ammo in the training area), eye protection, long sleeves, closed-toe shoes, notebook, water.

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Provided by Us:

Low-light range lanes or indoor structure sets, photonic barrier stations, vehicle mockups, mirror/glass drills, fog/smoke machine (when available), training weapons, and scenario props.

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Assessment:

Coaching throughout, graded threat-ID lanes, handheld and WML manipulation tests, and a short knowledge quiz on lumens vs. candela advantages.

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Age:

18+ (or under 18 with guardian waiver for civilian groups).

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Safety Rules:

Strict no-live-ammo policy inside structures, mandatory eye protection, range safety plan, EMS briefing, staged IFAK and AED.

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Why It Matters

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Most real-world encounters happen in low light. The difference between a bright light and a tactically effective beam can mean the difference between identifying a threat or a family member.

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Understanding lumens vs. candela allows students to:

• choose lights that fit their mission
• defeat photonic barriers
• dominate rooms without overexposing themselves
• identify weapons quickly and lawfully
• reduce liability through proper positive identification

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Students leave with repeatable, real-world lighting tactics that integrate seamlessly with firearms skills, movement, and defensive decision-making.