VSSL took a standard camping flashlight and realised there was a lot of space to be saved by replacing the traditional bulb with a series of low energy, high output LEDs. The resulting light offered better battery life from far less batteries – opening up a lot of storage space in the flashlight’s tube.
Rather than lopping off half the handle, VSSL decided to create a series of flashlights and pre-load the handles with survival gear that has been specifically developed to fit neatly in place of the batteries.
The Supplies VSSL Flashlight (pictured above) contains: A dual mode (static and SOS) LED ‘flood’ beam lantern light, illuminates a large area (batteries included), an oil-filled compass, a 4 hour pure Canadian beeswax candle, a razor blade, 6 Aquatabs® water purification tablets, a wire saw (high tensile, 60lb working strength with handle straps), an aluminium beadless emergency whistle, waterproof matches, Tinder Quik® fire starters, fishing Gear, a signalling mirror, marine grade rope (250lb breaking strength), reflective trail markers, P38 military GI Type can opener, first aid supplies and a VSSL priorities of survival and instructions.
The First Aid VSSL Flashlight (pictured immediately below) contains: A dual mode (static and SOS) LED ‘flood’ beam lantern light illuminates a large area (batteries included), an oil-filled compass, an emergency whistle, 2 BZK-based antiseptic wipes, 2 isopropyl antiseptic wipes, 1 alcohol free cleansing wipe, 1 soap wipe, 1 triple antibiotic ointment, 2 cotton pads (2” x 2”), 4 knuckle bandages, 8 butterfly bandages, 12 regular bandages, 4 Ibuprofen tablets, 4 Aspirin tablets, 4 safety pins (2 small, 2 large), 1 pair of tweezers, 1 single sided razor blade, 1 roll of medical tape, 1 roll medical gauze tape, and 1 pair of nitrile gloves.
The Shelter VSSL Flashlight (pictured second below) contains: A dual mode (static and SOS) LED ‘flood’ beam lantern light, illuminates a large area (batteries included), a temporary polyethylene tent, a 20’ rope, and an oil-filled compass. The tent reflects up to 95% of radiated heat and can also be used as a first aid blanket to prevent/counter hypothermia, with its reflective surface being ideal for visibility.
Articles that Ben has written have been covered on CNN, Popular Mechanics, Smithsonian Magazine, Road & Track Magazine, the official Pinterest blog, the official eBay Motors blog, BuzzFeed, Autoweek Magazine, Wired Magazine, Autoblog, Gear Patrol, Jalopnik, The Verge, and many more.
Silodrome was founded by Ben back in 2010, in the years since the site has grown to become a world leader in the alternative and vintage motoring sector, with well over a million monthly readers from around the world and many hundreds of thousands of followers on social media.
