Bear Safety Tips

Knowledge of bear behavior can reduce the chance of an unpleasant encounter. Here are a few guidelines you can follow to reduce your chances of having a close encounter with a bear.

If You See a Bear

1. • Do not run.
   

2. • Give the bear plenty of room.
   

3. • Do not make abrupt moves or noises that might startle it.
   

4. • Female bears with cubs or bears defending a carcass are extremely dangerous.
   

5. • Do not try to approach it for a better look or a picture.
   

If you are with other people, stand together to present a more intimidating figure, but do not surround the bear.
If a bear approaches you, act immediately to scare it away: make as much noise as possible by yelling or banging pots together

When Hiking

1. • Make your presence known, wearing a bear bell.
   

2. • Hike in groups and make noise, talk out loud or clap your hands.
   

3. • Always carry a whistle.
   

4. • Do not surprise a bear.
   

If you surprise a Bear

1. •Talk quietly or not at all; the time to make loud noise is before you encounter a bear.
   

2. •Try to detour around the bear if possible.
   

3. • If you cannot detour, wait until the bear moves away from your route.
   

• Do not run! Back away slowly, but stop if it seems to agitate the bear.

• Try to assume a nonthreatening posture. Turn sideways, or bend at the knees to appear smaller.

• Use peripheral vision. Bears may interpret direct eye contact as threatening.

• Drop something (not food) to distract the bear. Keep your pack on for protection in case of an attack.

• If a bear attacks and you have pepper spray, use it!

• If the bear makes contact, protect your chest and abdomen by falling to the ground on your stomach, or assuming a fetal position to reduce the severity of an attack. Cover the back of your neck with your hands. Do not move until you are certain the bear has left.

When Camping Overnight

1. • Never camp in an area that has obvious evidence of bear activity such as digging, tracks or excrement.
   

2. • Keep your sleeping gear clean and free of food odor and sleep at least 100 yards away from your cooking area.
   

3. • Campers must "bearproof" their food: Seal all food, as well as toothpaste, makeup and clothes worn while cooking, in plastic bags, then hang the bundle at least 10 feet above the ground and at least four feet horizontally from any post or tree trunk.

Altitude sickness

As you take in less and less oxygen you can begin to feel nausea, dizziness, headaches or heart palpitations. Never go higher should you encounter any of these symptoms. Take a rest and if the symptoms disappear, continue on. If they persist for more than a few minutes, turn back around and don’t put your health at risk.
Hydration is critical in avoiding altitude sickness. Drink plenty of water during the hike. Don’t wait until you are thirsty, by then you will run the risk of dehydration. Keeping yourself hydrated is one of the few things you can do to prevent being affected by the altitude change.
Try to get acclimated to high elevations by camping along the trailhead. Don’t climb too fast, pace your body to the altitude change.

Navigation, compass

Always carry a topographic map with you, and know how to read a compass.

Terrain, Footing and Insoles

When hiking in the mountains wear an ankle brace or comfortable hiking boots. Is important that your boots fit you well, don’t wear something that might fit too tight. Consider the fact that you might use thick hiking socks. Also consider expending a bit more for water repellant shoes, in the long run they’ll be worth it. Insoles like superfeet are good at shock absorbing, which can be a major factor in a long hike.

Hydration

This is the most important element in any hike. You can survive without food for several days in the wilderness, but you cannot say the same about water. I recommend that you always carry a water filter with you in any day hike.

You should drink 5 or 7 quarts of water a day, and avoid alcohol and caffeine, which have a dehydrating effect. Monitor your urine color, it should be copious and clear. Dark urine indicates that you are not drinking enough water

Personal safety, Hiking alone, Women

When hiking alone always let someone know where are you going and when they should expect you back. Women should not hike alone and  should not accept the company of a strange male hiker along the way. Always carry a whistle or mirror and don’t rely on cell phones as your only signaling device.

Mountain lions

Mountain lions are primarily nocturnal, but they have attacked in broad daylight. They rarely prey on humans, but such behavior occasionally does occur. Children and small adults are particularly vulnerable. To stay safe when hiking in mountain habitat make noise to avoid surprising a lion and keep children close to you at all times. Do not hike alone, especially at dusk and dawn.

What to do if you encounter a mountain lion

1. •Do not approach a mountain lion.
   

2. •Do not run from a mountain lion—running will trigger a lion’s hunting instinct.
   

3. •Do not crouch and do not turn away.
   

4. • Talk calmly, avert your gaze, stand tall, and back away
   

5. •Look as large as you can. Raise your arms and wave them. Open your jacket. Pick up your children (without bending over).
   

If attack seems imminent

1. •Unlike with bears, if attack seems imminent, act aggressively.
   

2. •If attacked, fight back.
   

3. • Mountain lions may be scared away by being struck with rocks or  sticks, or by being kicked or hit.