Right, most cougar attacks are done from behind and lightening quick. Bear spray, pepper spray, knife, firearm are only as effective as the ability to access said item when attacked. The best weapon is to not be alone and aid the victim by using a large branch or rocks to beat off the attacker.

Even groups are subjective to cougar attacks. In several instances in California a cougar was attacking mountain bikers, always going for the last person in the group. i believe this happen two times with serious injuries to the victim before the cougar was killed. One bikers death was attributed to the cougar and had been solo.