In reply to Ridge:
> Always aim low and right of the torch Toby, works equally well on gun nuts and people with maglights ready for an over arm blow as per US cop shows...
Being a researcher, when I google anything it always feels faintly like I'm working, even if I'm not, hence now I know far more than I suspect I ever needed to about the Harries technique versus the modified FBI stance or neck index.
The disturbing thing is that in many of the 'self defence' oriented website there is a lot of serious discussion as to which of these flashlight techniques is the least likely to result in you shooting dead a member of your family in confusion over them being a "burglarizing" "bad guy". Personally, having spent about the most scared 30 seconds of my life behind a corner in my childhood home clutching a hockey stick preparing to brain the burglar coming up the stairs, I can understand this worry - particularly as said burglar turned out to be my slightly tipsy older sister trying to creep in late unnoticed. I'm sure had I been an over enthusiastic NRA card holding American she might have received two to the chest and one to the head before I had really reassessed the situation.
Hence my recommended technique would be the "hiding under the bed and calling 999 on the mobile" stance. Flashlight is optional but could be useful in the case of burglar looking under the bed. Flashing it in his face whilst screaming loudly may have the desired effect of you both running away in opposite directions.