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Short of taking a pepper blast to the face and wasting the product, I just have trust that this product is effective; and hope that I never need this, and that it works if I do! I live in Ohio, so I’m generally unlikely to encounter a brown/grizzly bear. (Southeast) Ohio has a sparse population of mountain lions and black bears. …but we certainly got coyote packs. I rarely see them, and I know enough about them at this point to appreciate how well they keep to their “wiley” namesake; frankly I like and admire them. I hear them yelp and howl quite often on hiking/camping trips. I have a dog (Bel Mal). People tend to think that their domesticated dogs will protect them, and I believe that my dog would fight to protect us, but his presence and nature more so invites animals to him and me…and he’d fail against bear, mountain lion, or a coyote pack. I generally carry a sidearm, especially if I’m in the outdoors…Somewhat for the four-legged predators, somewhat for the two-legged. …but for either, I’d rather use this, given the option. And in the research I’ve done, bear spray is the better tool for grizzlies and other predators for quite a few reasons…but it’s not infallible. Whether bears, cats, or coyotes, use this first…and carry a sidearm as a backup. ;) Air Horn: I suppose that the air horn adds another level of deterrent…or maybe they include the air horn as an audible signal for help if the bear spray fails, yet you still live! (Three short blasts…don’t waste can pressure on a full SOS!). Yeah, animals don’t like loud noises…bears, big cats, and even my dog runs and hides from loud bangs, pops, storms, etc. So if: 1. you are astute enough to see the animal first, and 2. have time to deploy the horn, and 3. have the bear spray AND the firearm on the ready...then by all means, honk-honk! Just know that this is the “long distance”/non-ballistic deterrent! (but so is a warning round!) Other: I received only a bear canister and an air-horn canister...no holsters/carry-sleeves included. Sabre sells (and I ordered) a holster (with a chest strap) separately for the bear-spray canister. Not sure about holsters for the air-horn. Bottom Line: Bear spray seems to be a viable and preferred deterrent over firearms for predatory animals…but keep the firearm on-hand just in case. The air horn is a nice longer-range deterrent…and also has signaling uses. So all in…good kit. A holster, at least for the bear spray, would’ve been nice though...especially that without it, folks may opt to keep the canister "time-inaccessible" in their packs. Read more

I’m happy to say I haven’t had to use it bc I haven’t had an encounter with a bear but I have tested its spray power and it shoots a solid 25-35 ft depending on the wind. Have not used the horn that came worth the kit Read more

Haven't used the bear spray, and don't know if it would save me, but I have used the horn. It is insanely loud. Don't try it indoors! I was hiking pretty deep in wilderness and stopped next to a loud stream to each lunch. I used the horn once to warn any large animals in the area that I was there. Read more

I feel more confident walking with these by my side. The horn was used multiple times within the deep woods and I never saw a bear. I did hear one before I blew it though. Read more