How To Survive a Cougar Attack

Ingredients

• Alertness
• Composure

Steps

1. Be alert - Be alert at all times, especially when in dense cover. The best way to survive a cougar attack is to avoid one in the first place. (15 sec. )
2. Stay in groups - Stay in groups when in cougar territory. Lone individuals are much more at risk. (26 sec. )
3. Remain calm - Remain calm if you are spotted. Panic may send the cougar into a frenzy. (32 sec. )
4. Don’t ever try to run away—the slender, agile body of the cougar can propel it up to 35 miles per hour, far faster than an Olympic sprinter. (37 sec. )
5. Look big - Stand up and spread your arms. Making yourself look bigger and more imposing might frighten the cat away. (47 sec. )
6. Maintain eye contact - Maintain eye contact and do not turn your back—this may seem counterintuitive, but you don’t want the cougar to get the drop on you. (54 sec. )
7. Back away slowly - Back away slowly without letting the cougar out of your sight. (64 sec. )
8. Do not approach or entice the cougar! While it may be exciting to see one in its natural habitat, offering food or drink or trying to get a picture with it may provoke an attack! (71 sec. )
9. Check for aggression - Check for signs of aggression, like advancing movement, bared teeth, a fixed stare, or crouching, as if to pounce. (80 sec. )
10. Become more assertive - Become more assertive if the cougar begins to move in on you—shout, wave, throw things, and try to get to higher ground. (89 sec. )
11. Fight back - If she pounces, you have no choice but to fight back. Try to stay on your feet and be sure to protect your head and neck. (98 sec. )
12. Don’t play dead - Whatever you do, don’t play dead—this will likely cause the cougar to drag you to a private area and have its way with you. (107 sec. )
13. The cougar can jump as high as 18 feet from a sitting position. (116 sec. )