What To Do If You Accidentally Use Bear Spray On A Person

Given that bears are expanding their range and bear attacks are on the rise in the U.S., it is more important than ever to ensure you have a canister of bear spray when adventuring outdoors. While the intent of products like SABRE Frontiersman bear spray are meant to provide protection against an aggressive bear charge or attack, they also pose a danger to humans. Although bear spray is not considered to be a lethal weapon to bears or humans, getting accidentally sprayed with it can cause severe pain and injury. So, if you are carrying bear spray, it is important to know what to do if you accidentally use it on a person — be it yourself or someone else.

Unfortunately, there is no way to completely offset the effects of bear spray, which typically take about 45 minutes to wear off. However, there are steps you can take to minimize the pain and suffering and reduce the potential for additional injury. Until then, the best things to do are move to an area where there is fresh air to breathe — away from the lingering cloud of bear spray. Then, completely and repeatedly rinse eyes with fresh water. Remove contact lenses and any clothing that may be saturated with bear spray. If possible, it is recommended to wash with soap and water, continue to rinse with freshwater, and avoid rubbing, which can actually heighten the effects.

Bear spray is a form of pepper spray. It works by irritating the eyes, lungs, and nasal passages of any animal — including humans — that come in contact with it. The ingredient that makes it so irritating is capsaicin, which is found in chili peppers. This is the same ingredient that it is utilized in self-defense sprays such as mace. However, the typical bear spray contains around three times as much as the average self-defense spray. Additionally, bear sprays are oil based, which makes it much harder to rinse away. This is why soapy water is typically necessary to remove it from skin, clothing, and other items.

If a person is hit with bear spray, they typically will have an extreme burning sensation on their skin, as well as in their eyes, throat, and nasal passages. They may also become severely congested and have difficulty breathing. In some instances, it can also cause temporary blindness, which is obviously a serious risk if you are in the wilderness. While most of these symptoms are temporary, taking a dose of bear spray to the face can cause long-term problems such as respiratory issues, eye damage, and chemical burns. So, if sprayed, it is important to rinse the substance away as quickly as possible.

In order to reduce the risk of being sprayed, it is important to know how to safely carry bear spray, as well as how to use it. While it does need to be accessible, bear spray should be kept securely fastened in a holster on either your hip or a chest strap with the safety lock on. If you must use bear spray, make sure you have a firm grasp on the canister and are pointing it at a known target before removing the safety and discharging.