The argument, as presented, that BF researchers are experiencing Panic Attacks rather than the results of infrasound is based upon flawed logic. The person proposing this panic attack argument is confusing cause and effect. I have personally witnessed clinically diagnosed panic attacks, and what people are experiencing in the field in probable close proximity to BF is way beyond this.
I will concede that in some cases, a part of the EFFECT of a particular incident of infrasound exposure, on a particular person, MIGHT be a panic attack. However, it must be noted that the panic attack, if it occurrs, is just one of several well documented and somewhat repeatable effects.
Without attributing the CAUSE to infrasound, lets look at the more common known EFFECTS that occur simultaneously during these incidents:
A) All insects, birds, frogs and other wild animals in the immediate area become completely silent.
B) Pets and/or livestock (and other large animals such as deer) become nervous and fearful, and many times will leave the area or try to take shelter, if possible. Or, sometimes will adopt a defensive posture.
C) Some, but not always all, humans will begin to feel like they are being watched and/or will feel anxiety, fear, disorientation, or other uncomfortable feelings.
D) Less common, but sometimes, a very low frequency rumbling, growling or humming is heard, or vibrations are felt in the chest and/or head.
Since these are the known EFFECTS, then, any viable CAUSE must be a phenomenon that can be shown to produce them in a documentable, repeatable fashion. The most notable characteristic of this phenomenon, or cause, is that it has an effect on almost ALL immediately visible and audible animal life. Someone having a panic attack certainly cannot, by the wildest stretch of the imagination, create this effect on the surrounding animal life.
Also, dogs very often pick up on the presence of BF before we do. When my dog starts cowering and whining, is he having a "panic attack" that then causes me and all the bugs, frogs, birds, and other animals to have "panic attacks"???? I think not!! Even more evidence that the "panic attack" logic is completely ludicrous.
So far, infrasound is the only phenomenon that I have been able to find that can produce these effects. In addition, it has now been proven that several different species of animals use infrasound for different purposes. And at least one species, the tiger, uses it for offensive purposes to stun, paralyze and disorient its prey.
It's important to note that, within a group, the feelings noted by the individuals (C & D above) are often not the same for each individual. While some may only have the feeling of being watched, one could be at the other end of the spectrum and have symptoms of shock or a panic attack.
It's also important to note that these effects do not occur during every close encounter with BF. Therefore, I believe that BF can use infrasound, at will and for specific purposes, similar to the way they use their well-known stench. Whether they use infrasound for communication or as an offensive or defensive weapon or all three, I don't know. But I do know, they can for sure turn off the stench and infrasound and travel in Stealth Mode when they don't want you to know they are there.
I've noticed that, in general, the more woods-wise a person is, the quicker he/she will notice the effects of this phenomenon, whether the person is familiar with BF or not. This is because the woodsman is much more attuned to his/her surroundings. The novice woodsman will often be completely oblivious to what is going on around him/her. Conventional Wisdom would make you believe that it would be the city-slicker that would have a "Panic Attack" in the woods, because of the unknown surroundings and lurking boogers, but that is not the case.
Anyway, that's all I have to say about that....at this point...
Kindest Regards,
Tim "Coonbo" Baker
Posted on Mar 22, 2002, 5:06 PM from IP address 209.192.3.26