Are You Prepared?

If you encounter a bear

    * Do not make direct eye contact, which is an act of aggression.
    * Stay calm. Immediately pick up small children.
    * Make noise, yell, clap hands and throw rocks to scare it away.
    * Raise your arms or jacket to make yourself appear as large as possible.
    * Never approach a bear.
    * Do not turn to run. Back away slowly.
    * If you are attacked, fight back, kick, scream and yell.
    Source: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.

For more information, go to: www.wildlife.utah.gov/bear/pdf/bear brochure.pdf

Hi everyone…Here are 2  separate articles regarding the death of an 11 yr. old boy..killed by a bear in American Fork. 

I think what I learned from this sad and tragic story is that whenever you are camping, and sleeping outdoors, someone should keep watch all night while the others sleep. I wonder if the dad had a flashlight to grab immediately and was not wearing flip flops but sneakers so he could run fast..could he have found the bear quickly and scared him off…or fought him off?

Wildlife encounters: Develop and learn strategies for survival
http://www.sltrib.com/ci_6188978
Tribune Editorial
Article Last Updated: 06/20/2007 06:59:42 PM MDT

Human beings are smarter than the average bear. As such, we have the ability to not only survive encounters with Utah’s black bear population, but to avoid them.
    Sadly, it didn’t happen this week. A rogue bear, likely searching for food, ripped through a tent Sunday night and dragged away a Utah County boy. The body of Samuel Ives, 11, was found about 400 yards from the family’s primitive camp site near the Timpooneke Campground in American Fork Canyon. It was the first fatal bear attack in Utah history, and hopefully, if officials develop sound policies and outdoors enthusiasts exercise sound judgment, it will be the last.
    Apparently, the policies, or their execution, were lacking. The boy was the second person attacked by the same bear on Sunday. Some critics, including Gov. Jon Huntsman, say nearby campers should have been warned. Others say the campground should have been closed immediately.
    In hindsight, it’s hard to disagree with those arguments. And it’s worth noting that since the mauling, two campgrounds in Utah have been closed after bear sightings.
    But this is not meant as criticism of the U.S. Forest Service or the state Division of Wildlife Resources for the way the situation was handled. What happened happened. Now it’s time to take steps to see that it doesn’t happen again.
    We can expect increasing conflict between humans and bears. As we
increasingly encroach on bear territory, and as prolonged drought forces bears to forage farther for food, interaction is inevitable. But deaths are not.
    Utahns need to be taught how to avoid bears, which follow their noses to food sources. Keep a clean camp. Wash grills and dishes. Store food in air-tight containers inside your vehicle. If you see a bear, make noise. Back away slowly. Never run, or make direct eye contact, or get between a mother bear and her cubs.
    Likewise, state and federal officials need to review and renew public education efforts. Warning signs and instructions should be posted at campgrounds and park entrances. Educational pamphlets should be circulated.
    And wildlife officials need to update their policies for dealing with bears that wander into public places, as Huntsman has wisely suggested.
    Humans can learn from their mistakes. Bears cannot.

Utah Boy Dragged From Tent, Killed By Bear During Camping Trip
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,283834,00.html

AMERICAN FORK, Utah  —  An 11-year-old boy was dragged screaming from his family’s tent and killed by a black bear during a Father’s Day outing in the Utah wilderness.

The boy, his mother, stepfather and a 6-year-old brother were sleeping in a large tent Sunday night in American Fork Canyon, about 30 miles southeast of Salt Lake City, when the stepfather heard the boy scream “something’s dragging me.”

The boy and his sleeping bag were gone. The cut in the nylon tent was so clean, his family, who was not identified, first believed the boy had been abducted, U.S Forest Service officers said.

Wearing flip-flops and without a flashlight, the stepfather searched frantically for the boy and then drove a mile down a dirt road to a developed campground.

“He was pounding on my trailer door. He said somebody cut his tent and took his son,” said John Sheely, host of the Timpooneke campground, who alerted authorities by driving down the canyon to a pay phone.

The boy’s body was found about 400 yards away from the campsite, said Lt. Dennis Harris of the Utah County sheriff’s office.

Authorities said the bear, as much as 300 pounds, probably was the same one harassing another group of campers in the same spot before dawn Sunday. Kurt Francom said his son, Jake, was kicked in the head through a tent wall.

“It could have been my boy,” said Francom, a school custodian.

Wildlife officers shot a black bear Monday and flew its remains out of the Wasatch Mountains for tests to confirm that it was responsible for the fatal mauling. The officers used 26 dogs to track the bear’s scent, shooting and wounding him. The creature wandered around wounded until officers shot and killed him several hours later, said Lt. Scott White of the state wildlife agency.

Authorities said the death was Utah’s first fatal attack on a human by a black bear. It follows reports of several bear sightings during spring and occurred just hours after other people in the same primitive campsite likely encountered the same animal.

“Truly a tragic event,” said Jim Karpowitz, director of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. “Events of this type are extremely rare in Utah.”

The attack occurred in American Fork Canyon, a popular camping destination with elevations as high as 11,000 feet.

“When it’s hot and dry like this, bears are short of food,” Karpowitz said.

In May, officials reported black bears in Provo Canyon and Park City, including one that ripped through a screen door at a cabin where residents had burned food and opened windows.

Officers killed that bear because it showed no fear when biologists tried to scare it away with firecrackers, the wildlife agency said.

In July 2006, a black bear bit the arm of a 14-year-old Boy Scout while he slept in a tent, also in Utah County. The female bear returned to the campground and was killed.

Black bears, which are found in 27 states, are “generally less aggressive than other bears and don’t prey on humans,” said Stewart Breck, a wildlife biologist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Fort Collins, Colo.

The typical human-bear conflicts involve bears breaking into homes or cars.

“But it’s not breaking into a tent and killing,” Breck said.

Hello! Last week in church as I was mentioning it is important to know what to do if you are going to be attacked by a bear, someone mentioned that we need to be extra careful of rattlesnakes now…it is rumored that there is a larger than usual population.  These are the “mojave greens”.  They live under those bushes in the desert.  My husband saw one once on the running track at Hook Jr. High.  He was looking straight at it, yet he could hardly see it because it blended in so well with the ground. I remember a fe w years back, a teacher in Apple Valley was bitten by a rattlesnake in his yard and he died from it.

I found some good information…. which you will find below.  I was impressed by the advice given on many sites concerning this danger:  Keep a lookout! Eyes and ears alert!…as you walk in the desert! We are advised also to check out our yards before we let the children out to play in them. 

Also…a nake can strike so fast, you may not at first even realize you’ve been bitten. 

OK…Here’s my research:

This is one of the most dangerous of rattlesnakes in the Mojave Desert. Its venom, which it uses to immobilized its prey and defend itself, contains both nuerotoxins and hemotoxins. Nuerotoxins affect the nervous system and hemotoxins affect the bloodstream. It looks similar to the diamondback rattlesnake, having diamond shapes with white edges along its back. It’s color varies from green-gray to yellowish tones. Adults range from 2-4 feet in length. The creosote bush, found in the 2,000 to 4,000 foot elevation is its primary habitat and they feed primarily on small rodents. It is not one to go looking for trouble. Neither will it run when trouble comes. It is surely a snake better left alone!
http://www.nps.gov/archive/moja/mojaansn.htm
““““““““““`
In the deserts of California, the Rattlesnake can prove a troublesome opponent.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/203849/surviving_the_bush_treating_a_rattlesnake.html?page=2
 

Let’s BEE KNOWLEDGABLE!

Here are some common sense tips to help you avoid having to deal with an angry swarm of killer bees:

http://phoenix.about.com/cs/desert/a/killerbees01_2.htm

Africanized Honey Bees: Do’s and Don’ts

• DO check around your house regularly for bee colonies. Check storage sheds, dog houses, meter boxes, flower pots, trees, shrubs, and crevices. Seal cavities and crevices.

• DO keep pets and children inside when using lawn mowers, clippers, blowers, or any other equipment that makes noise or could inadvertently disturb a bee hive.

• DO be careful moving or cleaning up debris or items that have been lying around outside the house.

• DO install a cover over the chimney when not in use.

• DO notice if you see a few bees coming in and out of cracks in walls, utility boxes or other enclosed places.

• DO have an escape plan in mind if a bee attack occurs.

• DO wear light-colored clothing. Not only around your home, but when hiking or visiting unknown areas.

• DO NOT pen or tether animals near bee hives.

• DO NOT wear floral or citrus perfumes or after shave lotion when doing yard work or hiking.

• DO NOT try to remove bee hives without professional help. To get assistance, check your Yellow Pages for Beekeepers, Bee Removal Services, Bee Supplies or Pest Control Services.

• DO NOT panic every time you see a few bees in some flowers. Bees are very important and productive insects (when they are not attacking!) which is why there is no wholesale program for destruction of bees.

If A Bee Attack Occurs

Even if you follow all the above mentioned tips, a bee attack can still occur. Here is what you should do:

• Quickly get into a house, car, tent or other enclosure. Close any doors or windows.

• Do not jump into the pool. The bees will wait until you surface for air to attack.

• If you are attacked by bees, run away. Don’t play dead or swat at the bees. Most people can outrun the bees, but you might have to run a few blocks.

• Protect your face to prevent stings to the eyes, nose and in the mouth. Bees attack where carbon dioxide is expelled. Facial stings are much more dangerous than stings to the body. Pull your shirt over your head if no other protection is available.

Summer vacation is about here and some of you will be out camping this summer. This month I’d like to turn your attention to camping safety and also address the issue of  BEARS.

Here are several good articles on the subject. Please read carefully and discuss with family memebers:

Camping and Woods Safety 

 http://www.kidshealth.org/kid/watch/out/woods.html

Mountain Bikers Guide to Safe Riding in Bear Country

Mountain biking is becoming increasingly popular in the Rocky Mountains, and with this popularity comes both added risk and increased responsibility. Mountain biking is dangerous due to the fact that the bikes move both fast and quiet. Also, the nature of the activity requires that most of the cyclists attention is on balance and control, and less is available for watching for bears. Cyclists need to take a more active approach to being bear aware. Here are some tips.

        Use a noise maker on your bike, such as bells. You need to make noise, especially because bikes move very fast and exceedingly quiet. Bells are a start, but using your voice is an even better noise maker.

      Watch for bear signs. If you suspect a bear may be in the area (based on food plants or signs), leave the area if possible, or at the very least, make an excessive amount of noise.

      Avoid riding downhill at a high rate of speed. Should a bear suddenly appear, you will have less opportunity to react if you are moving quickly. This is especially true on winding hills where bears may be feeding around the next corner.

      Avoid riding trails that are lined with seasonal food sources. This includes trails that pass through avalanche slopes in the spring, as well as those that go through patches of buffaloberry in August and early September.

      Ride in groups. This will increase your noise level, and also ensure that there will be someone to assist you if necessary.
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The following list includes the worst case scenarios for bear encounters. These are situations that all hikers and mountain bikers would like to avoid.

    Bears that have become addicted to garbage and human food. Once bears become accustomed to human food and garbage, they become drawn to areas of human occupation. This may include backcountry campsites far from urban centres. A history of poor backcountry garbage management by backpackers can add backcountry campsites to a bears regular forays.

      Bears that have first year cubs which go up a tree. In this situation, the female may not leave the area, but rather will defend the cubs. The sow may attack quickly if you are within its comfort zone. Be ready with your bear spray, and be prepared to climb a tree if possible.

      Bears with second year cubs that may participate in a bluff charge. Again, this can be a very dangerous situation as you are now dealing with multiple bears. While this is very rare, it would allow the family to protect a kill site more effectively.

      Bears defending a kill site. Bears are very aggressive when protecting a kill site. Learn to watch for signs of kill sites such as large accumulations of ravens and other scavenging birds or animals.

      Predatory Encounters. While this is a rare situation, and generally refers to predatory attacks by black bears, this can be a very serious encounter. Since the bear is hunting you as prey, you must be prepared for an imminent attack. The bear may circle you, slowly moving in closer and closer until it decides whether to attack or not.

What do you do when you meet a bear?

Whenever you travel in bear country, you have to accept the basic reality that you may encounter a bear. The tips on these pages will help reduce the likelihood of meeting Master Bruin, but at the same time, you need to be prepared for what to do when the unexpected occurs.

If you are in open country, use binoculars to scan the horizon to look for bears. In more forested landscapes, be sure to make lots of noise and keep a mental inventory of climbable trees (just in case). Remember, black bears are agile climbers, and grizzlies have also been known to climb short distances up trees. To be safe, you should look for trees that will allow you to get at least 10 m (33 ft) above the ground. Don’t forget that bears can charge at 50 km/hr (30 m.p.h.). You’ll need some time to climb that tree.

Situation 1 - Bear has not detected your presence and is more than 100 m (350 ft) distant.

Don’t announce your presence if the bear has not seen you. If possible, retreat slowly and give the bear plenty of space. If you have the opportunity, you should retreat and leave the trail to the bear. If you must continue, back off a short distance, and give the bear time to leave the area. You should also do a wide detour quietly and quickly downwind to avoid problems. 

Situation 2 - Bear has detected your presence, but is more than 100 m (350 ft) distant.

Your goal here is to act in such a way as to allow the bear to identify you, but to also let it know that you are no threat. Speak calmly so that it knows you are a human (their eyesight is quite poor). They will often quickly give ground to you once they identify you as human. If the situation permits, back away slowly, keeping a close eye on the bear. Otherwise, you may wish to detour around the bear, but in this case, detour upwind so that the bear can get your scent. Keep talking calmly. Waving your arms may help it identify you as a human.

Situation 3 - Bear has detected you and shows signs of aggression

If you have followed the advice listed above, hopefully you have a bit of distance between the bear and yourself. You’ll need to
      Assess the situation.  Are you dealing with a black bear or a grizzly? Are there cubs involved? Are there climbable trees nearby (and do you have sufficient time to climb them)?

      Do Not Run. You can’t outrun a bear so don’t even try. Despite rumours to the contrary, black and grizzly bears can outrun a human on ANY terrain, uphill or down. People will tell you that you should run downhill when chased by a grizzly. This is simply a myth - don’t try it!

      Try to retreat slowly. Back up slowly and try to put more space between you and the bear. Talk calmly so that it can identify you as human, and slowly back up. Keep your backpack on as it can provide protection if necessary. Don’t make direct eye contact, but keep a close look at the bear as you back away.

      Climb a tree if available. If you have enough time, and the bear continues to move closer, take advantage of a tall tree to climb. Remember, black bears are strong climbers as well. Grizzlies have also climbed short distances up trees after people. You want to get at least 10 m (33 feet) high to reduce the chance of being pulled out of the tree. Even though some bears can come up the tree after you, the hope is that they will feel less threatened, and thus less likely to chase you up the tree.

      If the bear charges you. Bears will often bluff charge before attacking. This is designed to allow enemies to back down before the bear needs to actually make contact. It evolved as a way to prevent encounters with enemies and it may provide you with an opportunity to back away.

      Use your pepper spray.  This is a last resort. Pepper spray is only good at very close range (5 m or 15 ft). Wind will reduce this effective range even farther (and may blow the spray back into your face). If the bear approaches within this range, point the spray at its eyes and discharge the contents. Hopefully, this will either disorient the bear to allow you to escape, or at the very least deter it from attacking. Once you have partially discharged a canister of bear spray it should be discarded. While the spray may deter attacks, the smell of pepper can act as an attractor.

      Black Bear - (or any bear that is stalking you) makes contact. If the attack escalates and a black bear (or any bear that appears to have been stalking you) physically contacts you, fight back with anything that is available to you. Black bears tend to be more timid than grizzlies and fighting back may scare the bear off. In addition, if a bear is stalking you than you are in a predatory situation and fighting back is your only option. This also applies to any attack at night as these may also be considered predatory in nature.

      If a grizzly makes contact. As above, if you believe the bear to be stalking you, fight back with everything you have. In general though, playing dead in a daytime grizzly encounter tends to reduce the level of injury sustained by most attack victims. Many grizzly attacks are defensive in nature, and playing dead may show the bear that you are not a threat. Keep your backpack on as it will provide added protection. The best position is to lie on your side in a fetal position. Bring your legs up to your chest and bury your head into your legs. Wrap your arms around your legs and hold on tight. You may also lie on your stomach, backpack on, and place your hands behind your neck to protect that vulnerable area. Do not play dead until the last moment. Staying on your feet may allow you to dodge, or divert an attack.

      After the attack. Once the attack has ended, remain patient. After a few minutes, try to determine if the bear is still in the area. If the bear has moved on, you should make your way towards assistance as quickly as possible.
 

(Note from Joan: I learned from Jennie Loveland, who heard an excellent lecture on bears given by a world renowned bear expert while on a trip to Alaska, that a grizzly bear will not eat you right away..he will drap you somehwere and partially cover you with leaves…so you can rot a little bit before he digs in…he will lumber off.  You need to be calm, play dead, while he is dragging you and covering you. Be sure he is a long way off (a mile?) before you stir and run away to safety.)

Hi sisters…and others…

May has also been a “too busy” month and I just realized I never posted Scenario #7 and Here I am ready to share Scenario #8 !

OK…Scenario #7 deals with First Aid knowledge and skills…along with a little know how to prevent some injuries.

The information I passed out in church was this:

You are with someone (it could even be yourself) who is in immediate need of medical healp and a hospital or doctor is not available for quite a while. Hopefully you were able to dial 911 on your cell phone, but if you are out of range for this, you will need to act quickly to help the person in a medical crisis.

At this point, it is too late to prepare. You either have the know-how or you don’t. So the best preparation is to have a working knowledge of BASIC FIRST AID and you do that by PERSONAL STUDY-TAKING A RED CROSS FIRST AID/CPR CLASS or other classes offered by professionals. Knowledge of drug interactions and use of herbs for certain medical conditions is also important.

Since most of us have access to computers, we can do searches on the Internet to get started on our quest for this knowledge.

DO not forget to call on divine assistance. There are many stories out there about people who have prayed for help and have been given instruction and strength to do things they previously did not have the ability to do..

In Victorville…AMERICAN RED CROSS, High Desert Chapter, is at 16248 Desert Knolls Drive, Victorville, CA 92392 Phone 760-245-6511. It’s website www.arcHighDesert.org will tell you their schedule of classes, etc.

There are other companies that offer first Aid training/re-certification online. One is www.profirstaid.com

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Also, I had a handout about Lightning…and how to avoid getting struck…

(A good maxim to teach the kids: “When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors.“)

If you plan to be outdoors, check the latest weather forecast and keep a weather eye on the sky. At signs of an impending storm–towering thunderheads, darkening skies, lightning, increasing wind–tune in your NOAA Weather Radio, AM-FM radio, or television for the latest weather information.

When a thunderstorm threatens, get inside a home, a large building, or an all-metal (not convertible) automobile. Do not use the telephone except for emergencies.

If you are caught outside, do not stand underneath a tall isolated tree or a telephone pole. Avoid projecting above the surrounding landscape. For example, don’t stand on a hilltop. In a forest, seek shelter in a low area under a thick growth of small trees. In open areas, go to a low place, such as a ravine or valley.

Get off or away from open water, tractors, and other metal farm equipment or small metal vehicles, such as motorcycles, bicycles, golf carts, etc. Put down golf clubs and take off golf shoes. Stay away from wire fences, clotheslines, metal pipes, and rails. If you are in a group in the open, spread out. Keeping people several yards apart.

Remember–lightning may strike some miles from the parent cloud. Precautions should be taken even though the thunderstorm is not directly overhead. If you are caught in a level field or prairie far from shelter and if you feel your hair stand on end, lightning may be about to strike you. Drop to your knees and bend forward, putting you hands on your knees. Do not lie flat on the ground.

Persons struck by lightning receive a severe electrical shock and may be burned, but they carry no electrical charge and can be handled safely. Someone who appears to have been killed by lightning often can be revived by prompt action. When a group has been struck, the apparently “dead” should be treated first.

The American Red Cross says that if a victim is not breathing, you should immediately begin mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, once every 5 seconds to adults and once every 3 seconds to infants and small children, until medical help arrives.

If both pulse and breathing are absent, cardiopulmonary resuscitation–a combination of moutn-to-mouth resuscitation and external cardiac compression–is necessary. This procedure should be administered only by persons with proper training.

Victims who appear only stunned or otherwise unhurt may also need attention. Check for burns, especially at fingers and toes and next to buckles and jewelry. Give first aid for shock. Do not let the victim walk around. Send someone for help. Stay with the victim until help arrives. Be prepared.

A Red Cross first aid course provides excellent instruction on how to render aid to a person who has been struck by lightning.

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM: Winds more than 57 mph or hail 3/4 inch or more in diameter.

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH: Severe thunderstorms are possible.

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING: Severe thunderstorms have been sighted or indicated by radar