A Kung Fu Do Master -just like a real ninja- should be able to see even in the darkest of conditions... Here are 10 techniques aimed at dramatically improving your natural night vision. You can either choose to view the instructable as a 3 mins video (below), or see a written description of each of the 10 techniques:
Improve Your Night Vision - The funniest videos clips are here
1. Protect your night vision
It takes approximately 30 minutes for the human eye to adapt to darkness. Protect your night vision: do not look directly at bright objects (for instance car headlights when driving).
2. Use your peripheral vision
Use your peripheral vision rather than looking directly at the object you're trying to see. This takes practice, but it really does work well.
3. Scan
Scan the area you're looking at... Do not allow your eyes to rest in one place as they will adapt to whatever little light source there is.
4. Look for movement, shape and contour
Look for movement, shape and contour, rather than colours.
5. Light sources
If you need to use a lightsource (for instance for looking at a map) use as dim a light as possible. Place a red or blue/green filter over the light source.
6. The pirate's technique
When moving from darkness to light, and then back into darkness, keep one eye closed and the other one open. This will allow you to retain night vision in the closed eye.
It is said this is one of the reasons why pirates used to wear an eyepatch.
7. The ninja's technique
As well as some of the other techniques described in this instructable, ninjutsu teaches to get lower than the object you're looking at. This usually allows for its contours to be seen better.
8. The elite forces technique
Still taught to elite forces nowadays, this technique is based on squeezing your eyes shut tightly for 10 seconds upon entering a dark area. The effectiveness of the technique is contested, and specialists profess its main benefit is psychological.
9. The soviet special forces technique
Taught to Soviet special forces during WWII, this technique suggests to eat a sugar cube before going out in darkness, then to shine a red-filtered light in your eyes for 10 seconds.
Night vision is dependant on blood sugar levels. Carrots will not help: this is a myth resulting from British disinformation during WWII also.
10. The hi-tec/lo-tec technique
I call this one the hi-tec/lo-tec technique as it is dependant on a hi-tec object, in order to achieve a lo-tec result.
Take your digital camera or cell phone and switch it on to picture mode. Holde the screen up to one of your eyes while keeping both your eyes open. Focus on what the uncovered eye is seeing. You should be able to see more clearly.
