By Josie November 16th, 2023
This intense video shows a man who encounters a black bear in the wild and uses bear spray to escape a potential attack.
Bear spray is a non-lethal aerosol deterrent designed specifically for deterring aggressive or charging bears.
The substance is derived from chili peppers, creating a temporary intense burning sensation if it contacts the bear’s eyes, nose, or mouth.
Bear spray is up to three times stronger than the average self-defense product.
The reason for this is that bear spray is intended to be used from a much further distance.
Its effects are temporary and non-lethal, causing intense discomfort but not permanent injury to the bear.
Bear spray significantly reduces the likelihood of the bear or the human sustaining serious injury.
In the video, wildland firefighter and nature photographer Curtis encounters a black bear in the wild.
Displaying his calm and knowledge, once the bear is close enough, he uses the bear spray to safely deter the bear.
The effective range of bear spray typically varies between 18 to 30 feet, depending on the brand and environmental conditions.
Deploying the spray too early might waste its contents, while too late might not give enough time for the spray to deter the bear.