So, I used to have 4 different LED flashlights. I use the words 'used to' because they're now all lying down in the bottom of the Erie Canal.

Okay, let me take a step back. While draining, I'll often take a few lights each with different purposes: general navigation, seeing far distances, colors for photography, etc. Also, it's just good having backup lights underground.

Carrying 3-4 different lights in pockets sucked though. So I made a 1/4" rope necklace with lightweight itty-bitty carabiners on it to easily attach the flashlight lanyards to it. The necklace was nice, easy access to all lights, no dropping them, and I could even turn on a light and just let it hang from my neck to light the area. That was going good but while climbing sometimes I'd bring my arm up, catch a light on the necklace, and it was just enough pressure to pop off the little metal ring keeping the lanyard attached to the flashlight; even with a quality light.

This happened to one while going up a manhole ladder of a MH that was in a street. The light popped off and I had to go back down to get it at the worst possible time. That was just one light. Recently I snapped off 3 lights at the same time while climbing down a cliff aided by a rope and down into the canal they went. I don't know how the hell I did it.

So, what I'm getting at here is:

Do you have any techniques or ideas for carrying a few+ lights and keeping them easily accessible without getting them tangled or fear of dropping/losing them?

I'm assuming your attaching the lanyards with the keyring style rings, right? If you are, get rid of them. If the issue is the carabiners, get yourself some tubing and slip on the clasp and slide it over the split, keeping it from opening without you wanting to open it.

Posted by wannabeotaku I'm assuming your attaching the lanyards with the keyring style rings, right? If you are, get rid of them. If the issue is the carabiners, get yourself some tubing and slip on the clasp and slide it over the split, keeping it from opening without you wanting to open it.

To clarify, it's the metal rings where the lanyard attaches to the actual flashlight. It's not a normal key ring/keychain, but that small 3/8" ring that comes with the light and lanyard. That has been my point of failure due to too much pressure pulling the light where that small ring would actually pop open.

The carabiners I've been using have been just fine. I guess it's always going to be the weakest link as the point of failure. And that means that even with quality flashlights, many of them still have this cheap small ring. It's enough for normal lanyard use. But I guess I'm not normal and carrying them on the rope stresses them too much if they get caught.

Posted by trent To clarify, it's the metal rings where the lanyard attaches to the actual flashlight. It's not a normal key ring/keychain, but that small 3/8" ring that comes with the light and lanyard. That has been my point of failure due to too much pressure pulling the light where that small ring would actually pop open. The carabiners I've been using have been just fine. I guess it's always going to be the weakest link as the point of failure. And that means that even with quality flashlights, many of them still have this cheap small ring. It's enough for normal lanyard use. But I guess I'm not normal and carrying them on the rope stresses them too much if they get caught.

I've avoided buying those lights for that very reason....I try to get ones that have bigger holes then I can fit the thinnest biner into. but these are usually pretty cheap lights anyhow so I'm not too upset when they break or I lose 'em.

I wish I could help, but I have lost too many lights to be a credible source of advice.

A spot of epoxy, or if you're GOOD, a dab of solder will keep that from happening.