Corax_latrans's Link
Thought this was relatively well done. Interview with a guy who survived multiple maulings; handgun training tips with a “Firearms Expert” (if any specific credentials were offered, I missed them) and bear spray training from some Parks people whose job description appears to include training their co-workers in how to react to (and survive) Bad Bear situations.
It sounds like the guy who suffered multiple encounters with the bear must’ve had the bad luck to be retreating in the same direction as the bear, so their paths kept crossing and she felt the need to attack each time, not breaking off until she was convinced that he was Most Sincerely Dead. Ironic that he was carrying Spray AND a sidearm and what saved him was just plain being tough enough to keep himself together enough to keep on playing dead until she bought the act.
Seems to me that what the guy (Clay) who made the video learned was that (despite what he thought he knew coming in) he just didn’t have the hand-gunning skills to get multiple quick, aimed shots off with anything heavier than a 9mm and that his chances are better with additional training with Spray.
And what I gathered from the interview with the mauling survivor (and which fits with evidence from other maulings) is that Spray may stop an attack but it won’t necessarily prevent a follow-up. I had always assumed that a Sprayed Bear is a ‘Fraid Bear, but it seems that they recover from it quickly enough that it’s not one & done by any stretch. Knowing that could save you a real beat-down.
So if you were ever to find yourself in a high-risk/post-confrontation situation, it seems like keeping your Spray in one hand, your sidearm in the other (if you have one) and your head on a swivel would be the best option until you’re sure that you’re absolutely in the clear.
He learned before he had to use his weapons that his skill is at .01 on a scale of 100. Which is a good thing.
What I take away is always have a lanyard on your handgun. It’s to easily stripped from your rig or hand in a mauling.
Great line.
I think that line could be applied to marriage, child rearing, starting a business, investing, self defense and legal confrontations, out-smarting trophy class game and yes, dealing with dangerous game.
Reality has a way of cutting through all our illusions.
Hit the spray with the weak hand in a Support position for the dominant hand with the sidearm coming up. If spray doesn’t turn it, drop the can and start shooting.
Definitely an option requiring several thousand reps so it’ll happen on autopilot should the need arise.
Worst thing about spray (JMO) is that the bear has to inhale a lungful of it before the message sinks in, and if you wait to see if the spray has achieved the desired effect, you're liable to be out of time for more than 1 or 2 shots.
So teaching yourself how to get a cloud out there in front of the Lead kinda makes sense. I would expect that a bear which can no longer see nor smell its intended victim would be feeling a lot less confident once the handgun started “biting”‘ it from an unexpected quarter. Seems that they might know when the odds have flipped. Gotta know when to fold ‘em.
And to Jay’s point: while you might feel better carrying, the difference between Thinking you’re ready and KNOWING that you’re ready is an enormous gap.