There is a 20 page protocol on the testing procedure.... yeah, its the federal government! But, its a good thing with more and more people going into bear country.
Here's the gist of the live bear test-
"Live grizzly bear testing will be conducted as follows:
Testing personnel will prepare containers by placing an appropriate attractant (i.e., food item) inside the container. Containers which do not rely on an odor-proof barrier or liner may also have an attractant (i.e., honey, peanut butter, fish oil, etc.) applied to the outside of the product.
Testing personnel will ensure that containers are closed and securely latched, knotted or padlocked, as appropriate.
Products will be placed inside the bear enclosure and bears will be allowed to interact with the containers. Products may undergo contact by a number of bears of various sizes and with varying levels of experience with containers.
Testing personnel will monitor and video all product testing. Photos and video footage will be archived by the IGBCfor a period of five years after testing.
Products will remain in the bear enclosure and accessible to bears until breached or until a total of 60 minutes of “bear contact time” has been reached (or until bears lose interest–see “Special Testing Procedure for Metal Products” at the bottom of this section). “Bear contact time” is defined as biting, clawing, pounding, rolling, compressing, chewing or scratching by the captive test bear(s). Please note that licking does not count toward bear contact time.
A container will be considered to have been breached if it is rendered non-functional, or if the hinges, seams, lids or doors are torn, bent or broken and the bear gains access at any of these points at any time during the test. For garbage containment products, gaps, tears or holes of 1 inch or less are allowable. For food storage products, gaps, tears or holes of ¼ inch or less are allowable.
Bear contact time stops if product is taken into the water feature/pond (applies to coolers only).
If the product is not breached (see definition above) within the required 60 minutes of bear contact time, it will be considered to have "passed" the live-bear test."
model!
