“Sunday afternoon I used to be attacked by a mom Grizzly defending her cub. It was essentially the most violent factor I’ve ever skilled. I’ve skilled being shot at, mortared and IED explosions. I’m a disabled Veteran within the Military reserve.” -Shayne Patrick
An unimaginable story of survival by 35-year-old Shayne Patrick who was mauled by a grizzly bear in Grand Teton Nation Park on Might nineteenth. Shayne revealed the next account from his hospital mattress the place he’s recovering from his accidents. That is his story in his personal phrases:
SHAYNE PATRICK:
I’ve thought lengthy and onerous about how I might share my story about my encounter with a feminine grizzly and her cub.
Let me preface this with how a lot I really like and respect wildlife. Anybody who is aware of me, is aware of this about me. In reality, the second factor I mentioned to the park rangers was please don’t kill the bear, she was defending her cub. What occurred up on Sign Mountain was a case of fallacious place fallacious time.
Sunday afternoon I used to be attacked by a mom Grizzly defending her cub. It was essentially the most violent factor I’ve ever skilled. I’ve skilled being shot at, mortared and IED explosions. I’m a disabled Veteran within the Military reserve.
I used to be strolling via the woods on sign mountain seeking to {photograph} a Nice Gray Owl. My spouse and I had realized that this was a scorching spot for the species and I used to be hopeful I’d see one. I instructed my spouse I might be again on the parking zone in a single hour.
On the time of the assault about 1.25 hours had handed. At this level I knew she can be getting nervous so I made a decision to B-line it again to the automotive utilizing my GPS in my cellphone. On account of poor service I might solely see the parked identification on the GPS and my present location.
I began to stroll quick to that location. I had a very uncomfortable feeling. I used to be breaking branches, singing and speaking to myself aloud. These are one thing’s that may assist forestall a “shock encounter” with a brown bear.
I used to be strolling via a thick wooded space in a valley. I over got here a function within the slope to my proper and I seen a brown bear cub operating up a hill about 50-70 yards in entrance of me. I knew this wasn’t good, I unholstered my bear spray and noticed the mom bear charging. I stood my floor, shouted and tried to deploy the bear spray however as I did she already closed the hole.
When she pounced I opted to show and provides her my again and I laid down within the inclined place on my stomach and braced for the experience, interlocking my fingers behind my neck to guard my vitals. The primary chew and slash was on my again / proper shoulder.
I screamed. She then turned, stepping on my again. She bit considered one of my legs, choosing me up and slamming me on the bottom a number of occasions.she bit every leg from my buttocks to my interior knee about thrice every. The ultimate time I screamed once more. Then sadly however happily turned her consideration to my head. I consider she went in for a kill chew on my neck.
I nonetheless had my fingers interlocked and my arms defending my carotid arteries. I by no means let go of the bear spray can. As she bit my fingers behind my neck she concurrently bit the bear spray can and it exploded in her mouth. That is what saved my life from the preliminary assault. I heard her run away, I appeared up and immediately ran in the other way up a hill.
As soon as I put far between me and the bear, I tried to name my spouse. It didn’t undergo, so I texted “attacked”. She known as me again and I instructed her what occurred as I utilized improvised tourniquets to my legs. At this level I knew that I didn’t have any arterial bleeds and I simply wanted to sluggish the bleeding in my legs.
I laid alone within the woods gripping my knife with my again to a tree simply hoping the bear wasn’t to return. By the cellphone name with 911 the helicopter was capable of triangulate my location because the spotty service wasn’t giving us an correct location. At this level my legs have been not likely working
As soon as the helicopter noticed me I attempted to crawl to a clearing so they might attain me simpler. Presently the primary ranger confirmed up and began his evaluation. Hypothermia was one of many greatest considerations at this level. I used to be alert and responsive.
They area dressed my wounds and airlifted me out of the woods. They lowered me into the parking zone close to sign mountain and loaded me on to the ambulance the place they transported me to St. John’s hospital in Jackson, Wyoming. I underwent a fast surgical procedure to scrub and staple wounds and fight an infection.
The primary factor that saved me alive in the course of the assault was studying and understanding what to do within the occasion of a bear assault and being ready with the bear spray. Although I’m not positive if I acquired to spray any on the bear, having it on me and holding it in my fingers whereas defending my vitals 100% is the one cause I’m telling my story now.
Secondly, although unwell ready for a medical emergency (I at all times have an IFAK on me however this was meant to be a brief stroll within the roadside woods so I solely introduced my small day pack, Bino harness and fanny pack). Although I’ve had many CLS lessons within the military and I do know stopping the bleeding is among the most essential fundamentals my spouse was on the cellphone serving to discuss via utilizing what I had on me. I minimize my again pack straps, digicam straps and used my fanny pack straps all to make improvised tourniquets to sluggish the bleeding.
Sadly my legs each had a number of puncture wounds. On this second, I accepted on that small hill prime that I very effectively might die. I recorded a brief video telling my those who I cherished them.
The largest shoutout to the Jenny lake rangers who saved my life too. The Teton SAR are thought of one of the crucial elite SAR teams in NA and I used to be so grateful they have been there to assist.
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