Search: escape a grizzly bear
Why: There are different rules for different kinds of bears.
Answer: The first way would probably to be to stay out of the woods and other places bears live. Otherwise:
- Avoid encounters with bears in the first place. They don't want to be near you, either. Announce your presence in their environment by talking loudly, singing, or jingling bells. Use proper food storage techniques while camping. Hike in open areas so that a bear can spot you from a distance. Leave dogs at home or keep them leashed. If you see bear tracks, take a detour or leave the area.
- Stay the hell away from it. If it doesn't see you, retreat calmly and quietly. If a bear sees you, begin speaking in a low, calm voice and retreat slowly. Keep an eye on it, but don't make eye contact. Your goal is to communicate that you are human (you can defend yourself and are not frightened), that you are non-threatening, and that you are leaving its territory.
- Stand tall. Move slowly - do not run. Speak softly. If the bear approaches you, speak more loudly, but still calmly. Wave your arms so you look bigger, but don't be aggressive. Do not crouch, play dead, or otherwise show fear, vulnerability, or submission. If it charges you, stay where you are - it is most likely bluffing.
- Recognize the kind of bear you are dealing with. In North America, there are brown bears (grizzly and Kodiak), black bears, and polar bears.
- Recognize the bear's motivations. If it is stalking you or it is night time, it probably sees you as food. Any attack will be predatory. If it has cubs, is eating, or if you surprise it, the bear will be acting in self-defense.
- Respond based on the situation:
- If a grizzly bear or polar bear makes a non-predatory attack (in self-defense), play dead. This will put it at ease. Do this only after the bear attempts to make contact with you. Lie flat on the ground and cover the back of your neck with your hands. Keep your legs together and do not struggle. Make sure the bear is completely gone before you start moving again. It may be watching you.
- If any bear makes a predatory attack, fight back. Any bear (usually a black bear) that makes predatory attacks on a human is either immature, starving, or wounded. It will be easily scared away if you hit it or scare it.
The More You Know: Don't climb trees. Bears can climb, too.
