My husband and I went for a hike in the forest in late September when the bears start thinking about hibernating; and we began discussing the blog post titled “What Makes You Brave?” He asked me, does having a bear bell make you brave? I said, not really. Afterall, there’s a joke about when a bear hears the bear bell, he thinks it’s time for dinner. “What about bear spray?” “Yes”, I said, “that’s a little more empowering”. With bear spray I have to know how to operate the canister – the same with a bear banger. I said, “what does make me feel brave and empowered is knowing what to do if or when I do encounter a bear.” I feel better equipped knowing the bear safety tips I’ve been taught throughout the years.
Tips for Being Bear Aware
I had grown up in a small town in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Alberta, Canada; and I was no stranger to bear sightings. I remember one morning my parents were excitedly telling us kids about the bear that had climbed up on our balcony in the early morning hours! We would often encounter sightings of bears when we went on hikes, and even sometimes when we walked to school or were out in our neighborhoods. So being equipped with bear awareness tips was part of growing up. Back in my youth, carrying bear spray (or a bear banger) to school was not a realistic option, but being mindful of the other tips certainly was important. To this day, when I hike, I visualize opening up my jacket to spread it like wings to make myself look larger to any bear I may encounter, and I keep chatting as I walk along!
Be Prepared
Many hikers do carry and ring bear bells or vigorously clap their hands if they fear a bear is close by. My husband has used a Bear Bell App that clanged periodically as we walked along. This worked well as long as he had battery power on his cell phone. On a recent visit back to my home town we took a hike in the back woods, and one of the party who often hikes the mountain paths demonstrated how to use a bear banger – setting off the small flare. Once triggered, it shot off, making a loud sound, similar to a gunshot – a sound that would definitely be a deterrent to the bears.
When I walk in bear country, I have my radar on at all times. I have a heightened awareness to sights, sounds, and smells, and I keep my eyes roving to see any animal coming into my field of vision. Knowing what to do if a bear does appear, and having the right equipment is paramount to having a successful, more enjoyable, less stressful hike through the woods.
This philosophy not only applies to walks or hikes in the forest, but it carries over to those who are on a caregiving journey. Gathering knowledge and the right equipment when embarking on a caregiving journey can help reduce the stress when caregiving. Granted, it is unlikely we will encounter any bears while caregiving.
Equipping Family Caregivers
In the podcast episode called, “Equipping Family Caregivers with Strategies, Tools and Insights” we hear Denise Brown, founder of the Caregiving Years Training Academy, talk about the work she does to equip family caregivers. Denise supports individuals managing difficult life experiences through her coaching, planning and training programs. Through her work, she helps clients find hope, possibilities, and a path forward.
I also address how valuable it is to be prepared for a caregiving experience in the blog post called “Preparing for Transitions”. In that blog I list several resources that can be helpful when planning and preparing for caregiving.
Whether it’s a bear sighting or a bear encounter, a short caregiving experience or a lengthier one, the most important thing is to be as prepared and equipped as possible. That way, you’ve taken proactive steps to help keep you safe, empowered and able to thrive – not just survive. Are you ready?
I’m glad we don’t have bears where I live, but it’s good to know what to do, just like in caregiving!
Thank you Tracy – being armed with knowledge can make a huge difference in both situations!