If you are spending time in bear country, carrying bear spray is essential. Sometimes Hey Bear! isn’t enough to stop a curious carnivore and you might need a backup plan. And if that is the case, you’re going to want to know how to use your bear spray.
How does bear spray work?
Bear spray is made of chili pepper extract — capsaicin. Capsaicin irritates the eyes, the skin, and the respiratory system, producing a burning sensation. You know how you shouldn’t rub your eyes after cutting jalapenos?
This stuff comes in a canister which you spray at a charging bear. Think of bear spray like a spicy hairspray.
But does bear spray actually work?
Bear spray is estimated to be at least 90% effective in deterring aggressive bears. Unlike a firearm, bear spray is a non-lethal deterrent.
Despite its efficacy, it is important that you are still being mindful in bear country — the best way to avoid a bear attack is to avoid the bear in the first place. Hike in groups, be careful when it comes to food storage and waste disposal, and make lots of noise.
Does bear spray work on other animals?
Yes! It also works on other animals that you might encounter on your adventures, such a moose, mountain lions, and wolves.
How do you choose the right bear spray?
Does bear spray expire?
Make sure you choose a canister that’s intended for use on animals. On the canister, it should say something like “bear spray” or “bear deterrent”. You want to choose one that has a capsaicin concentration between 1-2%. The smallest cans (225 grams) can typically spray a distance of 10 metres for 10 seconds.
It is important that you check the expiry date on your canister before heading out. The bear spray can lose its potency, the canister can lose pressure, and the mechanisms can fail. It feels wasteful but be thankful when you throw out your bear spray because you didn’t need to use it.
Is bear spray the same as pepper spray?
The difference between the two is their strengths. Pepper spray is intended to subdue a human, whereas bear spray is stronger and more suitable for a bear.
How do you carry bear spray?
For it to be effective, it needs to be accessible. If you run into a bear, you probably won’t have time to dig through your backpack. Keep your bear spray in a hip or chest holster so it is easily accessibly by your dominant hand.
Make sure to clip the zip-ties around the nozzle once you get home. You won’t want them there if you need to use your bear spray.
Everyone in your group should carry their own bear spray. You never know if you are going to be split up and it is always better to have more and not need it than vice versa.
When should you use it?
Bear spray should only be used as a last resort and is not effective unless you are in close range.
If you haven’t been noticed…
If the bear hasn’t noticed you, start backing away from the bear without turning around. Once you are away from the bear, find an alternate route and check periodically that nothing is following you.
If you have been noticed…
If the bear notices you, stand your ground without being threatening. Talk to the bear in a calm, firm tone. For the most part, they don’t want anything to do with you either and hopefully they will leave.
A curious bear might stand up on its hind legs. Continue to talk calmly and firmly and avoid making direct eye contact as it could be interpreted as a challenge.
If you have been noticed and the bear seems aggressive…
Signs of bear aggression include huffing, smacking the ground, and popping their teeth. Raise your voice and make yourself big. Try not to appear fearful.
A bear might do a bluff charge, where it charges but veers off. The bear might not be kidding around though — there is no guarantee that it’ll veer.
If the bear starts to approach…
Bear spray is only effective if the bear comes within range. Don’t spray until the bear is 10 metres (30 feet) away or closer. If the bear hasn’t come into range yet, stand your ground and don’t retreat.
Once the bear comes within 10 metres, it is time to use the bear spray.
If you don’t notice the bear until you are within 10 metres…
You might not notice that bear in the bushes until the last minute. If it hasn’t noticed you, back away. If it has noticed you, use the bear spray as quickly as possible. You need the it to start working before the bear actually gets to you.
How to use bear spray:
- Remove the safety clip.
- Hold the canister with both hands for stability.
- Aim slightly downward toward the bear’s face and upper body.
- Spray directly at the bear in short bursts.
- Continue spraying until the bear retreats
Click here to check out this video from Parks Canada showing how to use bear spray.
What do you do afterwards?
Hopefully the bear will run off. If it doesn’t, continue to back away, keeping your eyes on the bear, until the bear can’t see you and then run in the opposite direction. Check behind you periodically to make sure the bear isn’t following you.
What happens if the bear doesn’t stop?
- Grizzly Bears – Grizzly bears will either attack because they are defensive or because they see you as prey. The best thing to do is play dead. Lay on your stomach and cover your neck. If the bear flips you over, flip back on to your stomach. Hopefully the bear will no longer see you as a threat and leave.
- Black Bears – If a black bear attacks, you must fight back. Use any weapons you can find, like sticks and rocks. Go for the face and make lots of noise.
What happens if the bear gets your friend?
You know what they say — you don’t need to be faster than the bear, you just need to be faster than your slowest friend.
Just kidding.
If this happens, spray towards your friend and the bear. It is going to suck for your friend but the alternative is worse, and this is probably the only situation where someone is going to be thankful that you sprayed them with bear spray.
What if you get sprayed?
I’ve never had to use bear spray but I did leave it in my hot car one time and it leaked all over my hiking backpack. When I went to take the backpack out of my car, I noticed that it had a big stain on it. I didn’t know what would leave a red stain on my backpack, so of course I touched it.
Just getting it on my skin was enough to understand how it shooting out of a canister at 100 kilometres per hour would deter a bear.
The next thing I did was throw the backpack into the sink, hoping that the red stains would come out with dish soap. This was a horrible idea because now I had bear spray juice splashed up to my elbows. I was furiously switching between washing the backpack and my arms. Twenty minutes later, the burning sensation still hadn’t subsided.
In the end, I threw out the backpack.
How do you perform bear spray first aid?
Follow the first aid instructions that are written on the bottle. Don’t forget that bear spray is oil-based and is going to transfer between you and the things you touch.
- In the air – If you discharge bear spray inside, move outside immediately. If you are outside, move away from the contaminated area.
- On your skin – Wash your skin with soap and pat dry. Avoid rubbing your skin and avoid touching your eyes, even after washing.
- In your eyes – Flush your eyes by pouring water over them and blinking repeatedly for 20 minutes. If you don’t have water, blink as much as you can. If you wear contacts, remove them and throw them out. Avoid rubbing your eyes.
How long does it last?
It should start to go away in 45-60 minutes.
How to get it out of fabric?
They say a couple cycles in the washing machine can get rid of bear spray, but after my backpack experience, I don’t know if it is worth it. Even if you finally get the pain out, you might not get the stain out. Ba dum tss.
If you are going to try anyway, handle the materials with gloves on and wash them separately from other things.
A few other things to keep in mind…
How do you properly store bear spray?
Make sure that you keep the canister out of extreme temperatures and away from things that could crush or puncture. It is important to keep in mind that the contents are pressurized and you want to prevent the bear spray from losing pressure (pressure = sprays farther) or leaking out. DO NOT LEAVE IT IN YOUR CAR.
How do you properly dispose of bear spray?
You shouldn’t throw it in the trash or try to recycle the canister. Take it to a landfill or a hazardous waste drop-off and have them dispose of it for you.
Can you travel with bear spray?
- If you are driving across the border – You can bring bear spray into the US without restrictions. However, it needs to be approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency to come into Canada
- If you are travelling by plane – You cannot bring bear spray, even if it is packed in your checked luggage.
Are there legal restrictions?
In Canada, bear spray canisters cannot exceed 500 grams and need to clearly indicate that they are for use with animals. It is illegal to possess for self-defence and you could get charged for carrying it in urban areas where it isn’t necessary.
It’s empowering to know how to take care of yourself in the wilderness. The best way to survive a bear attack is to avoid it all together, so make sure you are taking other precautions. Respect the wildlife and it will respect you back. Let me know your thoughts below.
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