Risk Management Magazine

Todd Orr is a lucky man.

After being attacked not once, but twice, by possibly the same bear while hiking near his Montana home, the 50-year old drove himself 17 miles to the nearest medical facility for treatment and to alert authorities.

I always considered myself a good swimmer. Growing up in Michigan, I began swimming in Lake Superior at an early age and swam in pools, lakes and oceans all my life. One fine day on a beach in Hawaii, however, changed my view on my swimming abilities.

Running a boat on Alaska’s rivers can be dangerous — even more so if you don’t know what you’re doing or are unfamiliar with the area.