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4 Ways to Defend Yourself Against Wild Animals

4 Ways to Defend Yourself Against Wild Animals

November 29, 20143868Views

There are many stories about humans being attacked by wild animals while enjoying the outdoors, but most people never think about an attack happening to them. That’s why it’s important to learn how to defend yourself against wild animals if you plan on adventuring outdoors.

Bear Defense
Photo by mana5280/Unsplash

Knowing how to defend yourself against wild animals is a vital skill for any outdoor enthusiast. The following guidelines will provide information on the skills needed to survive an attack.

Lie With Your Nose To The Turf

In some rare cases, particularly during a bear attack, you may find that you are unable to defend yourself against wild animals. If this should ever be the case, curl up in the fetal position or lie face down on the ground. Usually, the animal will bite only a few times and then leave. Try not to yell if bitten, as this will notify the animal that you are not dead after all.

Fight Back

If attacked by a black bear, a shark, a crocodile, or a cougar (also known as a mountain lion or a puma), you must fight back. These animals are aggressive and violent and are not easily fooled by their prey playing dead. Fight back with whatever weapons are at hand — stones, sticks, fists, or feet.

Target areas include the eyes, the chin, the throat, the back of the head, and the lower abdomen. Attacks should be rapid and devastating, with primary focus on incapacitating the animal.

The animal’s limbs are secondary targets. Severing the brachial artery in the foreleg is often easier than cutting the animal’s throat, and will cause the animal to drop in a short span of time.

Roaring Lion Feature
Photo from Süheyl Burak/Unsplash

Be Intimidating

If you notice the animal stalking you and you are unable to walk away, make yourself as intimidating as possible. If you are wearing a jacket, raise it above your head. Yell, make a lot of noise, and stand your ground.

Run Away

The only time you should run from a wild animal is when you are certain you can make a getaway. If your assailant is a crocodile, an elk, or a moose, you can easily climb a tree to escape.

Featured Image from Süheyl Burak/Unsplash