Several companies offer bear spray as a defensive measure against wild bears. Bear attacks on humans are relatively uncommon given the number of visitors to public areas where bears are encountered. Humans are quite defenseless as a species and any physical defense we can muster must include some tool. We do not possess any strength, speed, claws or teeth capable of protecting us against a wild animal as large as or larger than ourselves.
In the one-on-one fight between a bear and a human, the human is the definite underdog. We have no effective natural defenses like speed, strength, claws or powerful teeth and jaws. Our only advantage is our intelligence and the tools we can make and use. Without our tools we are soft, slow and easy to kill - ideal prey.
The active ingredient in bear spray is Oleoresin Capsicum, the heat producing component of hot pepper. This is combined with a liquid propellant to provide distance. Bear sprays have the same effect on bears that mace and pepper spray have on humans. A face full of bear spray causes temporary blindness, eye pain and breathing problems.
Oleoresin Capsicum is the active ingredient in almost all bear sprays. It is the heat producing component in hot peppers concentrated well beyond natural intensities and mixed with a liquid propellant. The effect on bears is the same as the effect of mace or pepper spray on humans. A load of spray in a bears face will cause eye pain, temporary blindness, and breathing difficulties. In almost all cases a well placed face full will stop a bear attack long enough for the intended victim to escape. HowStuffWorks.com reports 98% of bear spray users get away uninjured. (http://adventure.howstuffworks.com/bear-spray2.htm)
Bear spray's effectiveness relies on some very important points. Bear spray, like any defensive weapon, will not defend you from stupidity. The absolute best way to survive a bear attack is to steer clear. Keep your senses active. Look and listen and be aware of your surroundings. If a bear is near you need to know it so you can avoid it. We do not have a great sense of smell; our hearing is limited; and compared to many animals we are almost blind. We do have intelligence and combining it with active observation becomes our best natural defense.
Humans do not have instinctive abilities to use the tools we develop. Be it a tree branch, a gun, or a can of bear spray we get better with our tools through practice. When a bear crashes through the underbrush you will not have time to read the instructions on your bear spray. Even though bear spray is much easier to use than a handgun effective use requires practice.
Take time to read the instructions at home, well before going to bear country. Be sure you understand the instructions and recite them until you have them well imprinted on your mind. Practice with your bear spray at home. Learn to draw it quickly and how to aim it. Spraying yourself probably won't keep the bear away.
Select the right tool for the job. Bear sprays will not fit nicely in your purse and a mace pen is not a bear attack defense. Bear sprays are intended to stop or deflect bear attacks - they are not deterrents. The presence of bear spray will not prevent an attack and threatening a bear with a bear spray container is meaningless. To stop a charging, angry sow you have to fill her face with as much spray as you can. When the bear stops or turns it is time to relocate quickly. Waiting around to see what happens is not recommended.
Author Resource:
Learn more about bear pepper spray . Stop by Karl Umni's site where you can find out all about bear spray and what it can do for you.
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