What is the deal with Flashing LEDs?

[Azurerana]

Many of the headlight LEDs have a flash mode. Why?

Other than to evoke seizures, I'm at a loss. It's not like an avalanche beacon-- I doubt a caver would leave his/her light in the cave, since you're supposed to conserve your light if lost or trapped.

Speculations?

[L Roebuck]

Not my favorite caving light - but my Princeton Tech Apex blinks when it gets hot.

[Brian Roebuck]

Some of our old coon hunter lights (regular incandescent) also had a blinkin "feature". Some coon hunters told me it was useful to hit-mo-tize the coons. But I really do not know for sure?? Blinking will command attention though. Maybe it is for rescue mode (outdoor use of course).

[Sharon Faulkner]

I looked on the container of one of the last lights I bought that has a flashing option and it describes the feature as an emergency blinking mode. It did not specify in what type of emergency the blinking might be useful, though I would imagine it is for a rescue scenario of some sort.