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Originally Posted by OMG!WTF!
I don't think there is much in the way of actual research, Anecdotal evidence at best. It would be hard to determine if a bear would have actually followed through with an attack if the bear spray hadn't been used. Bears aren't super aggressive towards people and often just bluff charge or huff and puff to get their point across. We've had several of these already this year in Kananaskis but no attacks. A guy in Montana named Todd Orr was attacked and filmed himself all mangled afterwards. He says that he gave the bear a really good full on spray but she just blasted through it.
The number one thing you can do to ease your mind in the mountains is get a Spot or InReach gps tracker and emergency device. You can set it to contact a person if your car breaks down or you lose your keys. I used it once cause a porcupine ate my tires and my contact person showed up and gave me a ride home. The message is I need your help but not emergency help. It's funny, the one time I could have used it for actual emergency help I completely panicked and forgot I had it. But I think they are being used an awful lot this year. Like over a hundred rescues since June.
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I think Spots and InReaxh are going to have a negative affect overall on outdoor safety. I think it will lead to more inexperienced people doing longer and more committing trips because they can “ get help” if they need it. It will also lead to emergency services being tied up in rescuing people who are uncomfortable but not in a life threatening situation.
I’m interested to see studies on it as it becomes more popular. I think the most important thing to make yourself feel comfortable is plan ahead. If I sprain my ankle and can’t walk this is what I will do.