a retractable , automatic , on / off flashlight system includes a retriever having a retriever spring and a line to be retracted by the retriever spring into the retriever in a retraction direction . a flashlight has a light source , a power source and a switch connected in a circuit . the switch has an actuator connected to the line . the actuator closes the switch and turns on the light source upon pulling the flashlight and the line away from the retriever in an extension direction .