National Park Service warns not to push your 'slower friend' down when running from bears

Note: It doesn't say anything about your "faster friend" nor "non-friends"...

https://nbcmontana.com/amp/news/offbeat/national-park-service-says-not-to-push-a-slower-friend-down-when-running-from-a-bear-nps-cheeky-advice-black-brown-grizzly-bear-safety-unpredictable-behavior-deadly-critical-injuries

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Thinkerbell · 41-45, F

Friend or non-friend, if they run faster than you, they might push [i]you[/i] down,
in their haste to escape from the bears.

Actually, I think I read somewhere that it is a mistake to try running from wild animals; it arouses their chase instinct, and they can run faster than you can. It said to freeze, and try backing away, very slowly.

Viper · M

@Thinkerbell Yeah, running away admits that you are the prey and excites their predator instincts including chasing, biting and eating instincts.

So if you can... hold your ground... if they charge and you don't run, then their charge might become a false charge, and they mentally try to figure out why the hell you aren't afraid and why you aren't running.

You can also try to make yourself look as big as possible, some suggestion raising your arms.

Of course, if they don't stop and the charge is a real charge, then you might be screwed... but you might be screwed if you run too... so better to try to hold your ground.

Also, if they don't notice you, keep quiet and slowly back away. If they do notice you and are coming your way, you might try to make an extremely sudden loud noise that they are not used to (even loud cell phone noises might work, of a loud gun or fireworks or something.

Also, don't upset or go near venomous snakes.