Tips on Using Bear Spray

The following information was provided by Ellie Lamb, a bear viewing guide, bear behaviour consultant and bear educator based in North Vancouver. Ellie is the featured speaker at the Nanaimo Paddlers General Meeting on January 4, 2023:

Bear Spray Checklist

BEFORE GOING INTO BEAR COUNTRY

• Buy a 225 g (7.9 oz) bear spray canister with a label that says "for deterring bear attacks."
• Check the canister’s expiry date and replace it when necessary.
• "Practice" using bear spray so you can act quickly and know its range and force.
• Remember that:
  • Bear spray leaves the can at 100 km/hr (75 mph).
  • Bear spray can travel a distance of 10.5-15 metres (30-35 feet).
  • A canister has 7 to 9 seconds of spray in it depending on the size: a 225g can has 7 seconds of spray; a 300g can has 9 seconds of spray.
  • A charging bear can cover 44 feet per second. Generally speaking you would have to be a Navy Seal in order to have the reactions necessary to effectively deal with a situation such as this. 

STORING BEAR SPRAY

• Keep the safety clip on.
• Store the canister away from items that could crush or puncture it.
• Consider storing bear spray in a protective bear spray container. You can purchase one at Mountain Equipment Company or Valhalla Pure Outfitters. 
• Never leave bear spray in a place with extreme temperatures (either very hot or very cold), for example in a vehicle, unless it is in a protective bear spray container.

CARRYING BEAR SPRAY

• Always wear a bear spray canister on your person, in a hip or chest holster, for ease of access. Do not put it in a pack.
• Consider carrying a second can in your pack in case the first can gets used. 
• While sleeping, keep your bear spray next to your flashlight.

USING BEAR SPRAY

• Before relying on bear spray for safety, cut the zap strap on the locking mechanism. This has been overlooked in the past.
• Evaluate the wind direction if you have time, but remember that bear spray comes out of the can at 100 km/hr, so it can still be effective in wind. 
• Remove the safety clip and aim low in front of the bear so the animal runs into the spray. 
• After your index finger goes into the hole, use your other hand to hold and steady the base of the bear spray canister.
• Deploy a burst from low to high. Create a wall, but aim low for the face to start. Assess the situation before the can gets emptied.
• Deploy bear spray at a distance of about 12 metres so the bear has time to react.
• Do not run from a bear.
• Speak in an authoritative firm voice to the bear
• Use human dominance to earn the respect of the bear.

AFTER DEPLOYING BEAR SPRAY

• When the attack is interrupted, retreat.
• Move away from the contaminated area to fresh air as quickly as possible.
• Do not run, but do leave.

FIRST AID TREATMENT FOR BEAR SPRAY

• Move away from the contaminated area to fresh air as quickly as possible.
• Flush exposed skin with cold water and soap.
• Do not rub exposed areas. Instead, pat dry with a towel.
• To flush spray out of the eyes, place your head under water and open your eyes every few seconds. Do not rub your eyes.
• Do not apply lotions or creams to the exposed area.
• If the effects of the spray do not dissipate in 30-45 minutes, seek medical attention. 

FUN FACTS

• "Bear spray doesn’t supply 'brains in a can' in order to survive a grizzly bear attack, but it appears to work a lot more effectively then spraying a bear with bullets.” That is the conclusion researchers presented to more than 300 bear experts at the 4th International Human-Bear Conflict Workshop in Missoula Montana.
• The bottom line is that 98% of people who used bear spray walked away from their encounter unharmed, and none of the people or bears involved died. With firearms, 56% of the users were subsequently injured and 60% of the bears died.