If you see a bear do this,
don’t run!
You might be looking at a bluff charge.
The bear might run towards you,
but at the last second,
veer off to the side.
This is the bear sizing you up.
And the last thing you want to do
is run away.
If you do,
because of its predatory instinct,
the bear will attack.
Just like dogs, bears will chase you
if you run.
The best thing you can do
is to stand your ground
by waving your hands around
and making yourself look bigger.
Once the bear takes the hint
and retreats,
slowly step away
without breaking eye contact.
Running from a bear can be deadly,
but it's not the worst thing you can do.
In this episode, we'll show you
how to avoid any fatal mistakes
if you find yourself
face to face with an angry bear.
Bears come in all shapes and sizes,
and not knowing
the difference
can put you on the fast track
to being mauled to death.
So let's take a look at the big three.
First up, the black bear.
This fuzzy guy may look cute,
but don't let that fool you.
With it’s signature straight
facial profile,
tall ears, and short claws,
the black bear can pack a punch.
Standing a mere 1.5m (5 ft),
this is the smallest of the trio.
If you come face to face
with a black bear,
be bold and aggressive.
Make yourself look bigger
and throw things if necessary.
Next, the polar bear.
This massive beast
is instantly recognizable
with its thick white fur,
and huge paws.
Reaching up to 3.3 m (11 ft),
the polar bear has a keen sense of smell,
so even if it doesn't see you,
it can still smell you.
And trust me,
to a starving polar bear,
you smell delicious.
Finally, the grizzly bear.
With its dark brown fur,
round ears, a hump
above the shoulder, and long claws,
the grizzly bear
is the most dangerous of the bunch.
Standing at 2 m (6.5 ft),
grizzly bear attacks
are 3.5 times more likely
to result in injury
than the average polar bear attack
and 21 times more dangerous
than the average black bear encounter.
Now would be a good time
to use your bear spray.
Wait.
You brought it, right?
Not packing the right equipment
is going to make your life a lot harder.
And shorter.
It’s important to bring
the right tools for the job,
and in the case of bear attacks,
the tool is bear spray.
Bear spray is essentially
a form of pepper spray
designed specifically for deterring
aggressive bears.
It contains a concentrated form
of capsaicin,
the stuff that gives chili peppers
their heat.
It causes a temporary burning
and irritation of the eyes,
nose, and throat.
This makes it difficult
for the bear to breathe, see, or smell.
Once sprayed,
the bear will be disoriented
and less likely to attack,
giving you a chance to escape.
So you should probably take it.
The good news is that bear spray
is a non-lethal
alternative to firearms,
making it a safer option
for both you and the bear.
But since you forgot it,
you took off running
and are now frantically
looking for a place to hide.
In a panic,
you look to the trees for safety.
Do you know why
climbing a tree
is one of the worst things
to do in a bear attack?
Because bears can climb trees.
What did you think was going to happen?
Since we’re stating the obvious,
now would be a good time to remind you
not to approach any bear cubs.
No matter how cute
their stupid little ears are.
Going near the cubs
dramatically increases
the likelihood of a bear attack.
Do you know what’s worse
than being torn apart by a bear?
Being torn apart by a mama bear.
If Mama thinks you're
a threat to her cubs,
she’ll skip the bluff charge altogether
and go for something
called an aggressive charge.
You’ll see this
when she opens her mouth wide
or snaps her teeth together.
Unfortunately,
it’ll be the last thing you see.
And speaking of moms,
I’m about to sound like yours.
One of the most important things
to do to avoid encountering
a bear in the wilderness
is to clean up your stuff.
Bears have a keen sense of smell
and they can be attracted
to your campsite by the scent of food.
So, it's crucial to store your food,
and your trash correctly.
All food should be kept indoors
or in a car,
and smelly items should be stored
in one smell-proof container.
Make sure your food is
far away from your tent,
and that any food scraps
are thrown away in a trash can.
It's also important
to check the wind direction.
Store your food downwind of your tent,
so the scent doesn't
blow into the area where you're sleeping.
Trust me,
you do not want to wake up to
a hungry bear.
Think you’ve got what it takes
to survive even more animal attacks?
Next,
we’re putting you up against
the most dangerous animals
of the Amazon.
Is it true this tiny frog
can kill 20 people?
Find out here on How to Survive.