If you have any connection to social media, there's a good chance you saw a certain video that went viral last week: a recording of a man who had been mauled by a bear while out hiking in Montana.

Todd Orr was hiking a trail in the early morning hoping to do some elk scouting when he encountered a mother grizzly and her two cubs. The bear actually attacked him twice, both of which he was lucky to survive. On his way back to his car, he even recorded a short video clip of himself retelling the story of the attacks. (If you wish to read his post summarizing the encounters, click here.)

***Graphic content warning, but if you wish to see the video Orr posted, click here.

The ultimate fact is that this guy is lucky to be alive; more lucky than I can say (he knows it, too).

Despite his calm demeanor about Orr's recollection of his meetings with the sow, this tale is a sobering reminder for hikers everywhere; practicing safety measures during any and every hike is undeniably important.

Here are a few tips should you ever encounter a bear while on a hike.

1) The first and most important thing to remember is to stay calm

As intimidating as encountering a bear is, one important thing to know is that most bears actually want to avoid confrontation and most actually prefer to be left alone. Bears generally only care about protecting their young, finding food and If you do anything that shows the bear you're panicking, it might mistake you for a threat.

Speak slowly and calmly to the bear; let the bear know you are a human and not an animal of prey. Do not yell and/or scream, and avoid sudden/violent movements as these actions could provoke the bear. The more calm you remain, the more the bear is likely to lose interest and move on.

2) Follow the three golden rules of hiking.

The three golden rules of hiking can minimize your chances of all dangerous situations while hiking, including wildlife encounters, and can keep your hike safe, smart and fun. Take bear spray with you, never hike alone and never go off trail.

- Carrying bear spray can easily save your live. Bear spray is a highly powerful form of pepper spray created to deter bears. It can be purchased in back country and outdoor stores, as well as online. Use it to deter a charging bear.

- Never go off trail! I can't be anymore straight forward: stay where you are meant to be and follow the markers. Your path is marked to get you to your destination as easily and safely as possible. Does that mean you can't step a few yards off to the side to get a better view or that perfect angle for your picture? Of course not, but use your head. A little common sense can go a long way, especially on a trail. Make sure you're not going somewhere you're unsure of, and if you lose the trail markers, turn back. It's better to be safe than sorry, especially out in bear country.

3) Know what type of bear you are dealing with

Dealing with different types of bears calls for different types of reactions.

Brown/Grizzly bears tend to be the most aggressive. If one is charging you, stay absolutely still, and remain still until the bear leaves. If the bear is attacking you, keep your backpack on, lay on your stomach, cover your neck with your hands and play dead. Only fight against the bear if its attacks do not relent, and concentrate hits on it's face.

Black bears are more curious in nature than anything else, so should you encounter one, the key is to show it you aren't worth the effort. Make eye contact with the bear and yell and/shout to scare it away. Try to put yourself in a secure structure as well.

4) Keep your distance.

It can be extremely exciting to see a bear, wether you were wildlife spotting or just a happy accident. But trust me when I say that getting close to get a better picture is not worth it (I'm a photographer telling you this). The National Park Service has a rule of staying 75 yards away from bears when you site them, and there's a reason for that. If you make a bear feel unsafe at all, especially with proximity, it will likely charge you.Bear Watching, Yellowstone National Park
Photo by Karley Nugent

I took this picture with a zoom lens for my camera, while my friends shared a spotting scope, and all of us were a safe, respectable distance from these bears while watching them. Bear watching is possible from far away thanks to multiple safety options. Utilize them and keep yourself safe.

(Plot twist: there are three bears in that picture. Can you see the second cub?)

5) Do not run from a bear.

Running is the worst reaction a person can have to a bear. Fight or flight is a powerful instinct, but you have to resist it. As I said earlier: remaining absolutely calm will greatly increase your chances of a dangerous conflict with a bear. Running from a bear does two things: makes the bear want to charge you more, and forces you to turn your bear on the bear. Did you know bears can run at up to 40 miles per hour? I promise that's faster than you can. Don't try it; it's a race you won't win.Scarface, Hayden Valley, Yellowstone National Park (Summer 2015)
Photo by Karley Nugent

Don't let the fear of encountering a bear ruin your hike, or worse, prevent you from going on a hike at all. Hiking is one of the best things a person can do; it's good for your soul. It brings you closer to the world around in ways that no other activity can.

Bears are wonderful creatures, but it's imperative that we remember that they are as beautiful that they are dangerous and even deadly. When on a hike, following these safety rules can reduce chances of aggressive bear encounter. They might even save a life.

For more on bear safety, you can read the National Park Service's guide on bear safety here.

Hike hard, enjoy nature, stay safe and as always...

Happy exploring.