Currently residing in Rochester, New York, Joseph “Joe” Vessecchia previously served as an account executive at Quick Base, where he was responsible for software sales for the company. Joseph “Joe” Vessecchia is presently working on completing an MBA in finance at the University of Rochester in order to pursue a career in finance. Away from work, Mr. Vessecchia enjoys hiking.
One of the potential dangers of hiking is encountering a bear in the wild. Knowing how to behave if you encounter a bear can help to prevent injuries and possibly even save your life.
Firstly, it is important to speak in a calm voice and avoid running away, since this can provoke a bear to chase you. How the bear behaves will determine your response. If the bear is not moving towards you or moves away from you, back away slowly but don’t turn your back to him until you are certain you are safe. If the bear is advancing towards you, he may either be bluff charging you or planning to attack you. In this case, you should stand your ground and wave your arms above your head while continuing to speak in a steady voice.
If a bear is displaying aggressive behavior such as pointing his head and ears downwards, snapping his teeth, or opening his mouth wide, an attack may be imminent. In this case, bear spray may be an effective deterrent. However, if the bear continues to attack, your subsequent actions depend on whether the animal is a black bear or a grizzly bear. The best way to ward off an attack from a black bear is to fight back by hitting the animal in the face until it relents. However, if a grizzly bear is attacking you, it is better to play dead by falling onto your front side and protecting your face and head with your arms to show that you are not a threat.
Joseph Vessecchia 