IMPORTANT: This page is only to meant to be used as a reference.
Please be sure to read our full instructions on how to use bear spray, and bear safety at:
30 Second Video | Bear Safety | How to Use
Pro Tip: Screenshot this page so you’ll have it in case you are in areas without cell service.
Please note that spraying the canister, no matter how little, will result in a Usage charge.
IMPORTANT:A can of bear spray has around 9 seconds of continuous spray. Do not spray into the wind if possible. Doing so will cause the cloud of spray to come back at you. (This isn’t a fun time)
STAY CALM. If it’s far away from you, or hasn’t noticed you yet, slowly back away and put as much distance as possible between yourself and the bear. Rethink your hiking route to avoid the bear.
If the bear is nearby and has noticed you, STAY CALM. Attempt to back off slowly, talking in a non-threatening voice. If the bear approaches DO NOT RUN! Begin yelling aggressively at the bear and stand your ground. Get your bear spray ready.
Wait until the bear is 30-60 feet (2-4 car lengths) away from you before using bear spray. Follow the directions above on how to use your bear spray.
Stop using your bear spray if the bear gets within a few feet of you as you’ll risk being affected by the spray. If it’s a black bear, prepare to fight back. If it’s a brown bear, get ready to play dead. (“Black fight back, brown get down”).
IMPORTANT:DO NOT play dead before a brown bear either makes contact with you or is about to make contact with you. Many brown bears will use “bluff charges” to try and intimidate you. These aren’t real attacks but can turn into a real attack if you play dead too soon.
Brown Bears (aka Grizzly or Kodiak Bears):
Black Bears (aka… Black Bears):
IMPORTANT:DO NOT try to identify bears solely on color. While that may work a majority of the time, it won’t work every time. Brown bears and black bears have a lot of fur colors that overlap.
Image provided by Montana FWP
Keep cans out of overly hot (120°F/50°C) environments, such as an enclosed car, as this could cause the spray to discharge (or explode if kept on your cars dashboard). Cans kept in temperatures below freezing (32°F/0°C) could suffer from decreased spray range before warming up again. If bear spray is cold warm up with body heat ONLY.
Keep orange safety clip on lever when not in use.
Bear spray can be used against anything that poses a threat to you and has lungs and eyes. However, how well this will work will depend on the animal species you are encountering. We specifically only offer advice on bears.
First aid instructions can also be found on the can of bear spray.
Stay calm and leave the area where the can was discharged, as a cloud of spray may remain in the air.
Hold eyes open and rinse slowly with cold water for 15 to 20 minutes. If you wear contact lenses, rinse for 5 minutes before removing and then continue rinsing. If water is not available, blink eyes repeatedly and DO NOT RUB.
Any affected skin should be gently and thoroughly washed with soap and cold water. Contaminated clothes should be removed and also washed. Pat skin dry, do not rub, to avoid further irritation. Do not apply skin products to affected area until the spray is washed off and irritation has stopped.
Get to fresh air and monitor breathing. Try to take slow, calm, and deep breaths.
Rinse mouth and have the victim drink water if conscious. Never induce vomiting.
It will take about 45 minutes for the effects of bear spray to begin to wear off. If during this time, the victim exhibits chest pain, cold sweat, or shallow breathing, or if they are an asthma sufferer, seek medical attention immediately.
