Chapter 7: Surviving a Brown Bear Attack in Alaska
We knew the risk when we entered the wild—but nothing prepares you for the silence that comes right before a brown bear charges."
In Chapter 7 of How to Survive Against the Odds, a chilling real-world story unfolds in the backcountry of Haines, Alaska. A hiker—thinking he’s doing the right thing—raises his voice to warn off a bear sow and her cub. But this wasn’t just any bear. This was a brown bear freshly awakened from hibernation, and she wasn’t bluffing.
Within seconds, the encounter turns violent. The bear charges. There’s no time to run (and running is the last thing you should do). What follows is a brutal mauling that could’ve ended in death—but didn’t, thanks to proper first aid, a satellite communication device, and the will to live.
Lessons from the Chapter: Bear Survival Is About Preparation, Not Luck
This chapter pulls no punches. It teaches critical wilderness lessons rooted in recognition, reaction, and recovery. Here's how you survive a bear attack—and what gear might just save your life.
🧠 Know Your Bears
Different bears, different behaviors. Understanding how to react depends on knowing what you’re up against:
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Black Bear: More likely to bluff charge or climb trees. Make noise, stand your ground.
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Brown/Grizzly Bear: More aggressive when surprised or with cubs. Avoid confrontation, back away slowly.
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Polar Bear: Apex predator. No bluffing. Always treat as a lethal threat.
📍In this story, the brown bear wasn’t just defensive—it was angry and groggy from hibernation, which made it unpredictable and explosive.
🐾 Warning Signs of an Imminent Attack
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Ears pinned back
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Loud jaw-popping or teeth clacking
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Yawning (a stress response)
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Huffing or woofing
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Pawing at the ground
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Direct eye contact while swaying side to side
DO NOT RUN. That triggers their predator instinct. Instead:
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Make yourself appear large.
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Speak calmly.
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Back away slowly unless attacked—then fight back if it's a brown bear.
🛠️ What to Carry in Bear Country
No single item will save your life—but the right combination of gear might. Here’s what we recommend:
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Bear Spray (and know how to use it fast)
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Firearm appropriate for large predator defense (check local laws)
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First Aid Gear – ideally carried in a Gnome Chest Pack or loaded into your Kakamora or Mothman Pack
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Garmin inReach or other satellite communicator – used in this story to get evac support
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Trauma Kit with bleeding control gear and pressure dressings
🦍 At Squatch Survival Gear, we make modular loadouts for just this kind of scenario. Chest packs keep trauma kits accessible. Backpacks like the Mothman and Kakamora carry big loads comfortably when you’re miles into the backcountry.
🩸 After the Attack: First Aid with the MARCH-E Protocol
When you're bleeding and broken in the wilderness, minutes matter. Use the MARCH-E protocol:
M – Massive Hemorrhage
Stop heavy bleeding first with tourniquets or pressure dressings.
A – Airway
Make sure the airway is open and the person can breathe.
R – Respiration
Check for chest injuries. Use chest seals if the lungs are compromised.
C – Circulation
Treat for shock, elevate legs if safe to do so, keep the victim warm.
H – Head Injury/Hypothermia
Watch for signs of head trauma and keep body temp stable.
E – Evacuation
Use a device like a Garmin inReach to get help fast—like the survivor in this chapter did.
Final Thoughts: Don't Just Respect Nature—Prepare for It
What saved this hiker wasn’t luck. It was preparation. The right gear. The right mindset. And knowing that when the wild turns on you, survival favors the equipped.
Don’t wander into bear country unready. Know your enemy. Train your response. Pack with purpose.
Recommended Gear:
🦇 Mothman Backpack – Rugged EDC Pack Made in the USA
🎒 Kakamora 3-Day Pack – For Extended Backcountry Trips
🩺 Gnome Chest Pack – Keep Trauma Gear Within Reach
🧰 Advanced Trauma Kits – Built by a PJ, Ready for Anything