All posts by corey@hardcoreadv.com

Cyalume Products: Made for the Military, Available for the Public


 

Cyalume Technologies is the originator of chemical lighting and the glow stick. We’ve been partnering with military forces around the world for over 40 years. Our goal is to provide the ultimate lighting solutions for the moments where failure just isn’t on option.

In any combat or emergency situation, having the proper tactical lighting can be the difference between life or death. Relying on battery powered flashlights during a mission or in the field can be a risk. Mechanical failure and battery corrosion are all but guaranteed in extreme conditions. With Cyalume Technologies, signaling, identifying and overall superior luminosity – on land, in extreme weather, or even underwater – is just a snap away.

We have an assortment of innovative products that are designed to work hand-in-hand with our military. We offer the brightest and highest quality Military rated ChemLights on the market that come in a variety of colors. These are standard issue for our US Military personnel. With a full 360 degrees of bright illumination for up to 12 hours, these Light Sticks are perfect for brightening a dark room, marking a safe zone for evacuation, rope end indicators, perimeter protection, and more. Tough enough to toss without worrying about cracks or leaks, Cyalume’s ChemLights are perfect for tactical situations where things may not always go according to plan, but where the job must always be done.

Sometimes though, it’s not all about illumination. The situation may call for a more covert operation; that’s where Cyalume’s Infrared ChemLights come in. Trusted by tactical operators around the globe and the standard equipment for the US Armed Forces, our Infrared ChemLights work just like our other Light Sticks, meaning activation requires a swift snap and shake. However, instead of producing a bright visible light, these infrared ChemLights emit an IR glow that can only be seen with the aid of night vision devices. The perfect option for night time missions, such as extraction and trail tagging, to maintain strategic dominance over your enemy.

For military personnel looking for an alternative lighting solution they can trust, or for everyday Americans trying to gain piece of mind, look no further than the company who started the industry. As with all of our ChemLights, these products meet the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) and NATO Maintenance & Supply Agency (NAMSA) specifications and are non-toxic, non-flammable, and fully waterproof.

Fishing with Cyalume

Our glow sticks are the best in the business. Whether for emergency disaster situations, camping activities, or anything else imaginable, when you need light in a snap there’s no better solution than Cyalume light sticks. With second-to-none illumination and longevity, and at a price that’s unbeatable, you can use our state-of-the-art light sticks for almost anything.

Today, we’re talking about how you can elevate your fishing experience with the use of Cyalume light sticks. When you think of fishing, incorporating light sticks may not be the first thing that comes to mind, but we want to introduce you to a few techniques that will enhance your future fishing trips and help you hook the big one.

  1. Bottom Fishing at Night
    When it comes to fishing with chum, there are two ways to go about it. The first way is when you have your chum bag connected to your boat and let the chum drift backwards, allowing you to use the lighting of the boat to attract potential fish. The other way is to utilize a weight, a special chum tool, or downrigger with your chum bag to allow it to drop to the ocean floor. Try attaching a Cyalume light stick to a viable spot near the chum to attract even more fish!
  2. Deep Sea Fishing
    Just like with bottom fishing at night, glow sticks can enhance your deep-sea fishing experience. When you start reaching depths of over 400ft, very little light is able to penetrate. By incorporating one of our top-of-the line light sticks, you’ll be able to catch the attention of more fish in the dark void of the deep blue sea.
  3. Nighttime Sword Fishing
    The next time you plan a sword fishing trip, make sure you pack your Cyalume glow sticks. The bright glow in dark waters not only attracts swordfish, but it also lures in schools of baitfish which will further encourage and test the curiosity of pelagic fish. Whether deep sea or nighttime fishing, glowsticks enhance your fishing experience tenfold.

We make the world’s best lighting solutions, guaranteed. So, whether it’s recreational use or emergency situations, you can count on Cyalume.

Continuous Innovation, Continuous Safety with Cyalume

When we developed the first light stick more than 40 years ago, we wanted to achieve a product that not only was the absolute best lighting solution on the market but the best in the world. For us to reach that goal, we needed certain boxes to be checked off when designing our product, like functionality and reliability of the product. We decided that in order to create the best functioning and most reliable light stick on the market we needed our product to not only be the brightest and longest lasting but have the ability to be non-toxic for all consumers.

At Cyalume, we can proudly say that all of our lighting solutions and products are 100% non-toxic. While the contents of our light sticks and other lighting products certainly won’t taste good, they will not harm you if you come in physical contact or accidentally ingest any liquid. However, our light sticks, snap lights, and ChemLights do contain a small, thin glass ampule that encapsulates the liquid, which could possibly cause harm if swallowed. If your child or anyone you know has ingested any glass shards, seek medical attention immediately.

Trusted by the US Military and government agencies for over 40 years, it’s no wonder Cyalume is the industry leader and a pioneer in chemical lighting solutions. We push for innovation while staying ahead of the curve for safety and illumination so users can be confident that they are using the latest, best, and safest in chemical light technology. With a lifelong dedication to quality, a vow to manufacture non-toxic products and a firm commitment to be built in the United States of America, we have secured our place as the undisputed worldwide leader in chemical light solutions.

Looking for recreational or emergency lighting solutions? Trust in Cyalume. When all else fails, Cyalume delivers.

How to Use Cyalume Adhesives & Tape

At Cyalume, although our name has become synonymous with Light Sticks, Snap Lights, and ChemLights, we didn’t stop there. Our team understands that although one lighting solution may be perfect for a certain situation, it may not always be the best fit for every situation. That’s why the brilliant minds at Cyalume went back into the lab and designed a plethora of lighting options in a somewhat unconventional form – adhesives and tapes.

With Cyalume adhesives and tapes, you have the ability to mark paths, exit areas, clothing as well as anything that will benefit from a consistent glow and reflective capabilities. Below we’ll break down our favorite options and how they can help you keep light up the dark.

  1. CyflectTM Honeycomb Tape:
    These industrial grade, glow-in-the-dark strips are the only product on the market designed to glow a yellow-green hue and reflect white. When hit with light this tape is insanely reflective, allowing for full visibility through fog and smoke and even remains reflective in wet or rainy conditions. Perfect for hallways, egress points, stairwells and evacuation routes, Cyflect Honeycomb tape goes hand in hand with emergency situations. Additionally, Cyflect tape can be used for anything imaginable, such as applying it to your child’s bike or helmet to allow for a clear visual. Of course, as with all our lighting solutions this product is fully non-toxic and non-hazardous and is proudly made in the USA.
  2. Visipad & Marking Emitter:
    Our Visipad and Marking Emitters give you the powerful glow of our industry best glow and light sticks and combines that concept with our state-of-the-art adhesives, resulting in a product that is truly effective. Designed to maximize intended visible surface area, our VisiPads and Marking Emitters provide unique capabilities for both recreational and tactical uses such as search and rescue, marking, evacuation procedures, room clearing, and identification of friend or foe (IFF). For safer night hiking and hunting, be sure to incorporate these into your party’s gear!
  3. LightShape Self-Adhesive Lights:
    These circular markers are used to provide instant illumination and can be seen up to a mile away, depending on environmental conditions. Available in a variety of colors, these lights are ideal for use in emergency situations, procedures, triage tagging, trail marking and more. With up to 4 hours of illumination per marker light, these highly versatile lights are optimal for a multitude of situations and activities you may find yourself in. These lights are also highly durable, made for low density polyethylene and phthalate free for safety, while also being able to float in water!

All Cyalume products are expertly engineered and crafted in the USA to strict quality standards. Check out the entire blog on more industry insights and tips from our team of experts!

Boating with Cyalume

We all understand that a fun day can instantly turn into a nightmare in a matter of minutes. When sailing or boating it’s imperative that you or your crew is prepared for the worst. Unlike on land, in the ocean or in the middle of any body of water, you might find yourself stuck alone without immediate help. Knowing what materials to bring and being able to rely on said materials can be the difference between life and death.

Preparation is the first step in making sure that you’re ready for a day of boating. Boaters should be up to date with all current laws and proper boating techniques before hitting the water. We never want an emergency to occur, especially out on the water where you can be out of reach. Being mindful and ready before disaster strikes is what will save you just in case the moment arises.

Cyalume offers multiple products that can help you in a time of need while sailing or boating. Our Personal Marker Lights are coast guard approved and are perfect for strapping to life vests, boaters, guests, and anyone or anything else that you want to keep a visual on. Having Snap Lights and Chem Lights on hand are also a key component in boating safety. With just a quick snap you have vivid, 360-degree lighting for up to 12 hours.

With our luminescent tape and adhesives, you can take lighting and safety even further. Place our Cyflect Adhesive tape to the rungs or steps of your boating ladder so everyone can see from afar where to swim to exit the water and where to place their feet once they get there.

On the water, there is no better solution than Cyalume technologies. Stay illuminated and stay safe when boating.

Lighting the Way with Cyalume

When the lights go out, or when visibility is absolutely imperative, you can trust in Cyalume. Our lighting solutions are the world’s most reliable and innovative, with a strict adherence to quality, ensuring that you are never left in the dark no matter the situation. We offer an extensive range of lighting solutions from light sticks to infrared products to ensure that we have everything covered.

Without fail, our products cut through the dark. That’s why we’re trusted by the US Armed Forces, government agencies, and tactical operators all over the world. Since first inventing the chemical light in the 60’s, we’ve continuously improved and expanded our brand and product line so that consumers all over the world would have specific lighting options. Not only do our light sticks and chem lights outshine the competition, they outlast them with up to 12 hours of consistently bright light. Also, our lighting solutions are always non-toxic, so you don’t have to worry about potentially harmful liquids.

At Cyalume, we offer a vast assortment of reliable and maintenance free solutions to keep you prepared and to provide peace of mind. Our Light Stations are perfect in emergency situations when the lights go out without notice, making them perfect for offices, stairwells, elevators, or even your home.

We also offer an assortment of high quality and effective signs, adhesives, markers and more. One our most popular products, Cyflect tape, is a unique adhesive that reflects white and glows green in the dark and is visible through fog and smoke. Not only that, but, unlike other reflective lighting solutions on the market that lose effectiveness when hit with rain or water, Cyaflect is always reflective when wet.

With a nearly endless assortment of lighting solutions Cyalume has you covered when the lights go out.

Cyalume is Built for You

No matter the mission, no matter the situation, Cyalume Technologies is the world leader in effective emergency preparedness plans, products, and lighting solutions. We’ve been partnered with the US Military for over 40 years, supplying our soldiers with top of line products in the harshest environments to keep them a step ahead. Although our products are battlefield tested, they are available to everyone. No matter your mission, or the industry you find yourself in, Cyalume Technologies is a company you can guarantee to achieve its goal without failure.

Top Industries that we’ve proudly assisted include:

  • Healthcare
  • Maritime
  • Emergency Preparedness
  • Transportation

Healthcare:

We understand just how critical it is to have reliable and efficient lighting and preparation supplies on hand in a moment of need. From Light Stations that improve overall visibility, to VisiPads or Light Shapes for patient identification, Cyalume has solutions to keep even the busiest healthcare facilities in order.

Maritime:

Whether in a small vessel or a cruise ship, Cyalume is at home on the water. From Coast Guard approved Personnel Marker Lights to Snap Lights for emergency scenarios on the water, our solutions last longer, shine brighter, and are totally waterproof.

Emergency Preparedness:

When failure is not an option and you’re relying on a product to potentially save your life, Cyalume is a brand you can trust. From 72-hour emergency preparation kits built to help you survive in a moment’s notice, to lighting solutions to shine through the darkest power outages, you can have peace of mind with Cyalume.

Transportation:

When roadside emergencies happen, especially as the sun goes down, it’s vital to stay illuminated. Instead of flares, which use pyrotechnic flames and can cause fires, our alternative lighting solutions provide safe, bright, and consistent light so you can be seen at all times.

Cyalume is built on reliability and innovation. Get Cyalume, get peace of mind.

Emergency Supplies to Keep in Your Car

As we’ve mentioned previously, emergencies can happen both on or off the road. The last thing you want is to be stranded without any tools to get you back on your scheduled route, especially in the dark.

Whether you have a flat tire, engine problems, or you’re stuck waiting out a storm, having an emergency supply kit in your car will help you be prepared during a potentially stressful situation.

You’ll want to ensure you have a first aid kit on hand that includes bandages, antibiotic ointment, a blanket, thermometer, gauze and tape. Try to keep nonperishable food in your car throughout the year in case you are stranded for a period of time without emergency assistance. It’s best to keep dried fruits and nuts in your car, but, if you do decide to keep canned items in your trunk then you’ll want to be sure you have a manual can opener on hand.

If you’re familiar with our products, then you’ll know our Cyalume flare sticks come with a metal bipod stand to help keep them in place on the side of the road. You’ll want to mark your surroundings with some type of flare so that your vehicle is more visible, and Cyalume products are a safe and hassle-free way to do this.

The last few items you’ll want to keep in your car are jumper cables, a tool kit, a car charger for your cell phone and emergency phone numbers in case your phone battery dies.

It’s always a good idea to be prepared in advance for any event and keeping an emergency supply kit in your car throughout the year is one of the best ways to help protect yourself should you need to.

5 Ways to Prepare Your Family for a Home Fire


2018 has seen its fair share of fires. Unfortunately, many fires do start in the home and can potentially be deadly for you or your family. It’s important that your entire household knows what to do in the event of a personal home fire so that everyone can safely remove themselves from the house as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Here are 5 ways you can prepare your family for a house fire:

1. Check Smoke Alarms Regularly: Test your smoke alarm batteries on a monthly basis and replace them each year. You’ll also want to install smoke alarms in every bedroom as well as bedroom hallways. Smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years to ensure you’re keeping everyone living in your home safe.

2. Create Escape Route Plans: Ensure your family, especially children, are aware of your escape routes from each room and where they should go once out of the house. If your home is higher than one story, you’ll want to keep a fire escape ladder close.

3. Coordinate Communication: Discuss a communication plan so all household members know who to contact if your family members cannot find one another. Speak with a friend or neighbor and ask if they can be an emergency contact point for your family members in the event of an emergency.

4. Have Practice Drills: Have yearly drills to ensure your family can practice your escape route in real-time.

5. Locate Home Fire Extinguisher: Confirm each family members knows where your home fire extinguisher is as well as how to use it in the event of a fire. You can learn more about the right way to use a fire extinguisher here. If you’re dealing with a fire that is taller than you are, you should get everyone out of the house as quickly as possible.

4 Ways to Prepare for a Flood

Flooding, like many natural disasters, can happen at a moment’s notice. Flooding is the result of an overflow of water that covers land that is normally dry. Floods can stem from storm surges, rain, snow, dam overflows and more.

You may be surprised to find out that floods are the most common disasters in the United States, which is why it’s important to research your area as well as prepare in advance if you live in a food zone. Here are 4 ways you can better prepare yourself and your family in the event of a flood.

1. Know Your Flood Risks: The easiest way to prepare for a flood is to understand the flood risks near and around your area. Your risk can range from low to moderate to high. If you’re unsure of your flood risk, you can visit FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center.

2. Have a Transportation Plan: Floods can cause a lot of damage to your home and neighborhood. Not only can they create water damage, but they can also cause hazardous transportation issues. If you do find yourself needing to drive through a flood, do your best to drive in the middle of the road as that is where the water is most shallow. Continue to watch your speed while driving in water as you don’t want to lose control of your vehicle, and don’t drive through water more than 25 centimeters deep. If possible, keep information about evacuation routes near and practice them regularly.

3. Sign Up for Your Community Warning System: Another way to prepare in advance for a flood is to sign up for a warning system. The Emergency Alert System as well as NOAA Weather Radio can provide you with real-time emergency alerts.

4. Keep Documents Sealed: If you must flee your area, remember to place all of your important documents (licenses, passports, birth certificates, social security cards) in a sealed, waterproof bag or container.

Remember to be aware of your surroundings at all times. We won’t always know when disaster will strike near us, but being prepared will ensure you’re one step ahead of these events.