I was in Jasper Canada a couple of years back and had a discussion with our guide. All Licensed guides are required by law to carry bear spray. He stated that he had had a a few colleagues hospitalized by bear attacks. He also had had some hospitalized by blow back from the bear spray. He was of the opinion that the ones that coped the bear spray were more damaged than the ones mauled. They generally stayed longer in hospital and had longer recovery periods. Canadian law prevented the guides from carrying handguns but he was quite clear as what his preference would be.