What To Do If An Animal Attacks You
Many athletes encounter problems with animals while out walking,
jogging, biking, hiking, camping or any other outdoor activity. Even
though an animal attach is rare, you should know what to do if it
happens to you. Bear - The first rule with bears is to not
leave food laying around if you are camping. The second rule is to
never get to close to a bear's cub. If a bear comes at you, stay
still. They are faster than you and they can climb better than
you. If the bear does attack, lie face down on your stomach and
play dead. Dog - Dogs bite more than 4-1/2 million people each
year and 16% require medical attention. If you think a dog might
attack, stay still and quiet, avoid eye contact and if he seems to lose
interest, back away slowly. If the dog does attack, do NOT run, if
they knock you down, roll into a ball and cover your ears, try to lay
face down to protect your face, try not to move or scream. If you
can stay on your feet, turn your body sideways with your arms down at
your sides, try to put a purse or jacket in their mouth and try to
stay still. Moose - Moose are a fairly aggressive animal
especially if they have a calf and they are big. If a moose comes
after you, try climbing a tree if one is nearby or hide behind a large
rock. If nothing like that is available, back up slowing and avoid
eye contact.
Mountain
Lion - Mountain lion attacks are rare, but people are seeing more
and more of them. Humans are cutting their territory down and they
seem to be living closer and closer to inhabited areas. You should
always keep children nearby when you are in an are that has mountain
lions. Captured wild mountain lions have been studied and they
seem to really watch children. Do not run from a mountain lion.
It is natural for a mountain lion to chase it's prey. Stand as
still as possible and face the animal and make eye contact. If you
have small children with you, pick them up without bending over or
losing eye contact with the mountain lion. Stand up straight and
try to look as big as possible by raising your arms or opening your
jacket. Wave your arms and speak loudly, deeply and
authoritatively. Try to make it think you might be meaner than it is.
Throw things if you can reach them without bending over. If the
cat does attack, fight back vigorously, they have been known to give up
and leave. Keep you head and neck protected, because that is the
area they try to attack. Try to remain standing. Shark -
Shark attack chances are very slim. If you do see a shark while
swimming, remain calm and swim back to shore, or to the boat, as
smoothly and quickly as you can. If a shark does attack, first try
to hit it on the end of the nose. It should leave long enough for
you to get to safety. Hitting on the nose a second time usually
does not work. If the shark does bite and has you in it's mouth,
be as ferocious as you can. Hit it in the eyes and gills as hard
as you possibly can. Playing dead does NOT work with a shark!
If the shark does release you, get out of the water as quickly as
possible, because the shark will come back. Snake - Snakes
normally slither off if a person comes near, but if you startle them or
they feel danger, they may attack. If you see one, stand still.
If it attacks, and you fail to get out of its way, try not to move, but
put pressure on the would and call for help. Make sure you know
what it looks like. If they can administer anti-venom at the
hospital, they will need to know what kind of snake it was. A
poisonous snake will cause you to become dizzy, so do not try to drive
yourself. |