First off I have seen Clint Smith's video, and I really think he is wrong. I have been meaning to email him and discuss this, as I think the practice could be dangerous as hell, but I can see where he is coming from by teaching it to the basic gun idiot.
Everyone of the posts seems to focus around seeing the target, but not one of them seem to talk about what the target sees.
About 6-8 months ago a friend and I decided to conduct a experiment. We tested some lower intensity flashlights, and the "blinding factor of tactical flashlights.
First off go get a maglight with relatively low lumans and shine yourself in the face after a few minutes in the darkness. It is just as perceptibly disorienting as a surefire.
Now I will give you the short of the test. We tested constant light, flashing light, and the same while the light was moving.
What we found out.
1. All light you produce will get you killed fairly quickly. We took good shooters and poor shooters out for this test, and even without night sights on some pistols people were scoring direct hits on flashlights with the first 2-3 rounds.
2. Strobing, or Sweeping the light is most effective, but you must move as you do this, because even a quick flash is enough to get the light or whatever is immediately behind it shot quickly.
It is amazing how many people will look at shootings from the good guys point of view but won't turn the game around, and see what challenges and help is given to said bad guy.:banghead:
If you really want some good information go to stratego arms I believe.
Lastly have a light off the weapon before you get one on the weapon. Although I haven't practiced this to much yet I have been told to have one off the rifle/submachine gun as well. Flash it at varied positions AWAY FROM THE BODY.
If you have questions etc feel free to PM me as I don't pay alot of attention to the highroad anymore.