Woman plays dead to survive vicious bear attack

Getty Images

Woman plays dead to survive vicious bear attack
(Image credit: Getty Images)

In the unlikely event that a bear attacks you, you'll be pleased to know that playing dead actually works in helping you escape death.

When a brown bear began attacking Jessica Gamboa on an Alaskan military base near Anchorage, she dropped into the fetal position and stayed silent and still. It was a move that ultimately saved her life.

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Jordan Valinsky is the lead writer for Speed Reads. Before joining The Week, he wrote for New York Observer's tech blog, Betabeat, and tracked the intersection between popular culture and the internet for The Daily Dot. He graduated with a degree in online journalism from Ohio University.