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Keep communicating clearly with companions when attacked by a bear. Tell each other what you're about to do as both reassurance and certainty of actions. Stay calm and try not to shout unless it's part of your noise strategy.

Avoid leaving any person alone with the bear. The strategy should be to stick together as much as possibly, to help increase the impression of a group that is hard to part. Avoid leaving alone any individual who could be singled out for attacking.

One person can collect sticks, dirt, etc. while the other person shouts at the bear to distract him.

In particular, protect young or vulnerable people. Do your best to shield children or panicking persons who form part of your group. Keep them close so that the bear doesn't perceive them as an easy pick and do your best to reassure them to dampen down fear or panic reactions.

Dealing with an attacking bear when in a group deserves mention. Choosing to hike, jog, run, camp, or spend time in bear country alone isn't necessarily wise because there is often safety in numbers. This is why many national/state/provincial park authorities in both the USA and Canada recommend that some trails can only be taken when in a group of six or more people. If you're confronted by a bear that wants to attack you and you're with companions, they can play a vital role in scaring off the bear. More people means more noise and an impression of too many attackers versus the bear will often put an end to any thoughts of an attack. If there are only a few of you together, say two or three, the bear may not be as intimidated and may still seek to attack. However, the advantage of being with companions is that you can defend each other. For example, if you all drop down and play dead and the bear paws one of you, the other companion can start poking the bear's eyes and spraying the bear to get him to move away. If a bear is attacking you and you're with other people able to help responsibly, try the following: