Bet ya have to wear hardhats too, huh? Reflective vests will be next...

I'm confused, you're sitting in a Suburban and you're worried about animal attacks?

Why not simply drive away? The only animals that can outrun a vehicle are the cheetah and the greyhound, neither of which are too likely to be found along any railroad tracks in North America.

Or am I missing something?

John E

Well, if one smells food inside, a lowly black bear can take the door off of just about any vehicle made in a very short time. Ask anyone who has seen the pictures posted in Sequoia National Park (for one)...

A 12 ga. flare pistol sounds promising. At close range, I imagine it would pack a pretty good punch.

There are studies that suggest that pepper spray is actually less likely to provoke a bear.

Maybe a supersoaker filled with ammonia or tabasco?
Relatively non-toxic, easily obtainable, and easily explainable-"I came to work directly from a pool party..."Can't claim that a squirt gun is a fire hazard.

Fastest land mammal in the world is a cheetah, they top out at approx. 60 mph. 2nd fastest is a race trained greyhound, they can accelerate up to about 45 mph in 2-3 strides, bears can move faster than an human can run but they can't run faster than someone driving a car, particularly a car with it's doors locked and windows rolled up. Presumably you drove the vehicle to wherever you're sitting, presumably you can also drive it away, why in the world would a person willingly engage a bear or any other critter for that matter, when they can drive away?

Not trying to be difficult, I just don't see a problem.

Not to mention that using a road flare as the means for defense means that you're going to be within arm's reach of your opponent. Why get so close when you have a steel encased movable box to use?

John E

'Specially if you do what LEO's do, at least the smart ones. Once you get to your destination, you back into whatever location you want to park. You have all the time in the world when you are parking, but you might need to get moving in a hurry, and you can do that much faster if you are already pointing out...

Having done work of this sort, the "call of nature" comes to mind ...

Ok, that's one thing that might cause someone to get out of their car. I find it a little hard to believe that a person couldn't take some very basic precautions before exiting the vehicle to help ensure that no bears are around and waiting to attack.

Things like blowing the horn for a few minutes, make other noises, etc.

Sorry I just don't see the problem, no offense intended to the original poster.

John E

look at that police car's picture...