A Nice Reminder on How to Take Care in Using Bear Sprays
Many women are encouraged to carry around mace or pepper spray with them for protection. Although you hope that you will never use it, you may simply need to have mace just in case you will need it. However, according to a spokesman for the Colorado Division of Wildlife, the spray is only as effective as its user is wise. In other words, some people can indiscriminately spray the pepper spray into the air without a full understanding of what the impacts of the spray are, and what its effects are on people. When the wind turns in the wrong direction, the people who spray it are affected as well.
Pepper sprays are often called bear sprays since they can also keep away bears. Campers are sometimes advised to bring it, but camp rangers also recommend that making noise may be a less expensive, not to mention less dangerous form of prevention. Bears may often avoid humans because of the noise that humans make. However, pepper spray or not, it will never be advisable to approach a bear or put oneself at risk. Experts also warn people with pepper sprays never to take risks with bears simply because one has the spray to potentially protect oneself. Any approach by humans is seen by bears as aggression, and they will respond accordingly.
Moreover, bears will usually approach humans and other animals when they are looking for food. It is in these moments of foraging that humans and bears may be placed at their closest proximity, and it is these moments where people must be extra careful and exercise preventive measures. For instance, campers are cautioned to keep their camping spot free from trash and food in order to keep bears from wandering in. If a bear is found already going through food stores, ice chests, and other places where food is stored, campers are always advised never to approach the bear or try to save the food – food, after all, can be replaced.
As mentioned earlier, noise is a good way to keep out bears, and campers are advised to make noise whenever they go out of their tents or trailers. This can also be applicable especially where bears hide behind trees, waiting to get food. Bear spray may find its use in a sudden attack, or when a bear is suddenly in the area and the camper is unable to find anything in sight that may help him or her.
image credits to ucumari
Tags: bear sprays, safety