Tourists Survive Encounter With Grizzly Bear By Remaining Calm And Not Screaming

It sounds like a simple thing to do, but if you were confronted by a giant apex predator like that, would you be able to hold your nerve?

If you watch the video, you can see the gigantic Alaskan bear wandering past the group, who just stand by and don't overreact to the situation.

It's that coolness that the experts have said could have saved their lives.

Of course, if you start going wild and screaming, there's a good chance that the bear will get spooked as well, and then all bets are off.

The experts say that the group did exactly what they're advised to in the National Park Service's protocols by just remaining calm, not screaming or running off, and speaking gently to it in order to show them they mean no harm.

Also, let's not forget, these bears can shift. Running away is no guarantee you're getting away.

The bear - as you can see in the video - has a few visible scars on it, as it appears to have been fighting with another bear right before it encountered the humans.

As the bear walks back and forth, the seaplane captain who had brought the tourists out can be heard to say 'hey big boy' and 'hey bear' in a gentle voice to keep the situation as cool as possible.

The video was shot by 44-year-old Cara Siciliano, who said: "I currently live in Fort Myers Florida and when I am not chasing my next adventure I am a real estate broker in Florida Massachusetts New York and Rhode Island.

"I was travelling with two other couples and my seaplane captain when we shot this video in Katmai Park in Alaska.

"Honestly, I am amazed I did not seem more scared, my first reaction was to look up at the sky and make sure that I was good with God, and to pray, and then I hit record on my phone."

She paid special tribute to the plane captain, who she said kept everything quiet and under control.

Cara added: "My seaplane captain said he walked that trail 1,000 times and has never seen anything like it!"

The National Parks Service protocol for bear encounters explained: "Stay calm and remember that most bears do not want to attack you; they usually just want to be left alone.

"Bears may bluff their way out of an encounter by charging and then turning away at the last second.

"Bears may also react defensively by woofing, yawning, salivating, growling, snapping their jaws, and laying their ears back."

"Continue to talk to the bear in low tones; this will help you stay calmer, and it won't be threatening to the bear.

"A scream or sudden movement may trigger an attack. Never imitate bear sounds or make a high-pitched squeal."

There you have it. Sounds as if they dealt with the situation remarkably well.