* In California, from 1986 through 1998, exactly two people died from mountain lion attacks, whereas in one year alone, over 4,000 people died in traffic accidents, including 800 pedestrians. This means that your car or someone else's car is ~2,000 times more likely to kill you than is a mountain lion. (A Detailed Calculation gives the ratio as between 1,150 and 4,300.)

* Over 300 people have been killed by domestic dogs in the U.S. between 1979 and the late 1990s. This means that your family dog or your neighbor's dog is ten times more likely to kill you than is a mountain lion and hundreds of time more likely than is a coyote.

now if by "lightning" the meaning is "fast", then yes, a cougar attack is like lightning. they get you from behind, as previously described - you'll not see it coming.

imho bears are typically seen before an attack - if even for a few seconds.


that's what we carry - upwind / downwind doesn't matter. you're hoping to make a sound louder - and hopefully more intimidating - than they can. deer don't make that sound. you want them to think twice before they commit to trying you for lunch.