I think this is a lucid dream?

About two years ago, before I found out about any of this lucid dreaming, I had a really gruesome dream.

Me (Sean) and three friends (Jack, Zain and Isaac) were driving this jeep in this snowy forest and we came upon a crater in the ground. So of course we all got out to have a look at this rocky crater, we climbed down into it eventually and stood in the bottom of it (It was about 50 meters in diameter). So we're standing at the bottom of it and then suddenly we look up and see this massive polar bear standing up the top of the crater with blood covering some of his fur. It jumps down into it so the four of us run and begin to clime up the other side. Zain and Isaac are closest to the top then me, and finally Jack who gets caught by the polar bear. I try to help him but it just rips him apart so I get out of there with the other two, Zain runs of towards a forest and me and Isaac run back to the jeep. As we get to it we see the polar bear running after Zain and disappearing in the forest. So we try to get the jeep started and it won't, so instead we just hid in the car. Eventually the bears back again and it’s just bashing the vehicle, Isaac and I are so scared until it finally stops. He looks out the top to see were it is and the next thing the jeeps window screen wipers are right through his head and his skull is all smashed and there’s blood. I, being so scared, hide under the steering wheel and next thing it starts jumping on the bonnet and crushing the space I'm in. I can't get out because I'm stuck and all I see is all this blood pouring out of me and pooling on the ground.

That’s where it ends.

Like I said this was before I knew about Lucid Dreaming and this was one of the most realistic dreams I have ever had. I was in control of where I went and was able to communicate with my three friends.

Doesn't sound like a lucid dream. A lucid dream is a dream in which you are consciously aware that you are dreaming. It sounds like while you had control of the dream, you didn't know that it was in fact a dream, at least not on a conscious level. Is this correct?

Dream control and lucidity are two separate phenomena. It sounds to me like you experienced the former.

Thx for your help... so how would you recommend relizing it is a dream. Sorry I'm a bit of a noob to all of this, just discovered it today!

maybe you should read a bit the tutorials section especially about reality checks(RCs).

basically there are things that you can do in your dreams that you can't in real life and so supposedly you realize its a dream. I usually try to count my fingers. If I don't find five or I am unable to count then its a dream. Another cool one is to pinch your nose shut and then try to breathe through it.

its a good idea to do the RCs occasionaly in waking life so you get used to them and maybe habitually you are going to try them when dreaming.

there are several other techniques though.

oh and welcome. LDing may be one of the best things that you can learn in your life. seriously.

Aww, bless you, that is a really scary dream, just reading it made me feel uneasy. I hope you don't have to go through another experience like that.;)

Lucidity is being aware that you are dreaming. Voluntary control is derived from this awareness.

This will certainly be a learning curve but read this:

Overview of all lucid induction techniques

I hope I can get the hang of it soon... Tring the FILD technique tonight.