Purpose of this thread: Discuss the practicality of a civilian carrying glow sticks (if you must, "ChemLights") on a chest rig.
Background: I've spent a lot of time backpacking, and I do use glow sticks extensively for this activity. One of my favorite applications is for marking my camp site at night. I've done a few night-hikes where I've gone (with a companion) a couple miles from camp with nothing except some water and an emergency blanket. If we had not left a glow stick on a low-hanging branch at our camp, there would have been no way we would have found our way back during darkness.
In longer hikes that get pretty far from civilization and frequented trails- I'll often keep three in reserve for signaling in case of emergencies. (As I'm sure many here know, a triangle of fires, etc. is a distress signal.) I've also found they're great for looking around inside my backpack where a bright white LED at that close range would ruin my night vision.
What I am considering, though, is if they are really that useful on a chest rig? The military applications which we all know of don't seem to apply to my situation that well- In a scenario where things have gone so medieval that I've gotten out a chest rig, I kind of doubt I'll be getting air support.
In fact, chances are I'd want to be as low profile as possible- and lighting myself up like Christmas tree at night probably isn't the best way of doing that.
So, do you carry glow sticks on your chest rig? If so, why? I have plenty around that are in my backpacking gear- but so far am not seeing the benefits of putting them on my chest rig, but maybe I am missing something since they seem to be quite prolific.
Bookmarks