When you visit or explore a new area in a national park, you should be aware of certain safety precautions from natural dangers before you go. Choose one of the places below (or one that interests you) and use the Internet to learn more about the area. What should visitors do or take for safety reasons as they visit this area? What natural dangers from animals, the terrain, or the weather conditions might be present? How should you respond to each one?
Hi, I’m Randall. And, uh, one of the fun things about being out in nature is, of course, seeing beautiful things, but you want to be careful, especially here in Utah. From time to time, you might run into a black bear, and if you do run into a black bear, there are several things you should do. First of all, just make yourself look really big . . . wave around your arms. And as you’re going along trails, it’s best to stay on established trails and make a lot of noise. Even if you’re by yourself, maybe singing, making noise, but if a bear does attack you, and again, I’m speaking of a black bear, and again, you need to know your bears, you should try to fight back. Punch it in the face, do whatever you can do to get away. And uh, hopefully, you can survive, but bear attacks are very, very rare here in Utah. You just want to be careful and know your surroundings.
Culture Note: Randall’s general description of bear safety in Utah does not apply to all situations, types of bears, and even all areas in which you might be traveling throughout the United States and the world. It is always best to consult with local experts to find out the best precautions before you travel.