Survival Tips: How to Survive a Bear Attack
If you happen to spot a bear out in the wilderness and the bear sees you, there are a few things you need to do so the bear will not charge you. Bears can attack for a number of reasons, e.g., protect territory, food, cubs, and being surprised. Talk softly, calm and slowly. You want the bear to identify you not as a threat. Back away with your arms and hands raised above your head, waving them slowly. This will make the bear think you are a larger animal and hopefully make it go on its merry way.
Do not make eye contact with the bear. It will see this as a threat. Do not loose sight of the bear as you are backing away though. You want to know what it is doing at all times.
If the bear decides it is being threatened and charges you, DO NOT RUN. Stand your ground when it is charging. Bears will commonly "Bluff" charge before they will attack. At this time continue to SLOWLY walk backwards away from the bear. If the bear continues to charge and is going to attack, lay down in a fetal position. If the bear senses no retaliation, it may see you as not a threat and leave you alone. If you are wearing a backpack, keep it on. This will help protect your back during the attack. Laying on the ground in a fetal position can reduce the level of injury sustained during the attack. If the bear decides to leave, don't get up right away. Stay on the ground and wait more than ten minutes. The bear can be off watching you waiting to see if you run.
If the bear does not stop attacking you, you need to fight back. Try to get up and be as loud and aggressive as you can. Punch for the eyes and snout of the bear. This can daze the animal and give you enough time to escape.
Carrying bear pepper spray is a good idea if you are going to be out in bear territory. This is a good defensive tool to use in this situation. When the bear is charging, have the spray ready but do not use it unless it is in range. The pepper spray can temporarily blind and choke the bear causing it to run off allowing you to escape. If this does not work, then follow the steps above.
A bear attack is a scary situation that needs to be taken seriously. Your actions can directly affect how the bear reacts. Following these steps can help your chances in coming out alive.
Published by Jason Spansel
Father, Husband. Grew up in Idaho, now living in Oregon. View profile
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12 Comments
Post a CommentIndeed! If you are allowed to carry a firearm where you are, by all means please do so! Please make this your last resort, but your life comes first! Thank you Brian.
Backpacking through the wilderness without a reliable sidearm is insanity. This article is essentially correct, but if the encounter proceeds to the point that the animal is charging you, take no further risks with your life and kill it.
let me tell you guys my bear attack defense strategy:
yes, a big grizzly bear can outrun you, but can a grizzly bear out-strafe you?
the answer is no. bipedals have an enormous advantage when it comes to strafing, or strafe-running.
the advantage is that a bipedal can quickly reverse strafing directions, from side to side, or with a center of attention, clockwise to counter-clockwise, or v-v. a bear, or four-legger(quadriped? or something), does not possess the same maneuverability.
so here is what you do: put a tree or similar object between you and the bear. if it goes clockwise, you do too. always keep the object in the middle, and naturally, stay out of a bear's claw swiping range around the tree.
with this circle chase, a bear's speed reduces from 30mph to below your own. be patient, and the bear will lose interest. i'd draw up a diagram if i could.
if it helps you picture it, let me make the example a little more extreme. if a car is trying to run you over, but there is
I'm from chechnya fighting jihad here. I fought a bear once with my travelling stick and after that was broken, my fists. I suffered severe lacerations on my face and arms and lower back as well as a broken ankle. Bears are dangers!
Thanks for the advice, I'm often being attacked by bears.
I hope I never run up on a bear, but if I do I'll have to remember your advice. Great article!
i worked in yellow ntl. park for awhile, alot of us carried whistles around our necks. the rangers claimed the bears hate the noise,never had to use it myself though. the few i seen up close didnt seem very interested at all and pretty much ignored me. great article.
I once backpacked through the Smokey Mountains and saw a bear with two cubs. They were more interested in steering clear of us than anything, but the advice you gave is pretty much the same we received at the Ranger's Office there.
makes more sense than what I'd read in a newspaper awhile back-- if a bear approaches you: "argue with it. shake your fists and yell at it"-- & it will allegedly become intimidated and back off... yeah right!!!
interesting article!
All depends on the type of bear as to how it perceives things and or why it may attack