High Risk Behavior

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Silversnake, May 10, 2012.


  1. Silversnake

    Silversnake Silverback

    Is high-risk behavior consistent with prepping?

    I saw the article about the girl with flesh eating bacteria and it prompted this thread. She went for a zip line ride and now had lost a leg and is likely to die from this. Even if she lives, she will have huge medical bills for this. Then, if SHTF, she is a liability (although loved by her family).

    All this for a zip line ride.

    I had a talk with the wife a month or so ago about the need to be careful as preppers so as not to get injured, disabled or permanently slowed down.

    I am 100% for freedom of grown adults to decide what to do with their lives, but as a prepper, it seems unwise to take needless risk (especially for entertainment) when the consequences can be so severe physically and financially impacting of one's preps and life. We all know to take good care of the generator, vehicles, firearms, animals, etc. but then some will not take care of themselves and they end up being the weakest link in their preps. This is even more important when one considers the others who are going to rely on the prepper (kids, spouse, parents, etc)

    Activities I would have to seriously weigh the risk include;

    Riding a motorcycle, especially without a helmet
    Bicycling without a helmet
    Smoking
    Immoderate alcohol consumption
    Working around the property (twisted ankles, PPE, etc)
    Not holding the handrail going up/down stairs
    Non-use of Eye/Ear protection when indicated
    Aggressive driving
    Driving when fatigued
    Immoderate carb intake (diabetes)
    Skydiving

    This is not a flame on anyone who smokes or rides a motorcycle or had diabetes. I just felt this was something I needed to do some intraspection on and thought some others here may find it useful.

    Don't get me wrong, I am not afraid of these things. During my time in the Middle East, I have willingly done some extremely risky things for my brothers in arms. For me, this is about taking care of my most important prep...me.
     
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  2. Brokor

    Brokor Live Free or Cry Moderator Site Supporter+++ Founding Member

  3. Tracy

    Tracy Insatiably Curious Moderator Founding Member

    [LMAO] at your High risk list. Looks like just another day to me ;) ('cept skydiving - can't get me out of a perfectly good airplane :D).

    I'd LOVE for my kids to try and convince me that working around the property was high risk (though I'm sure they'd try ;)).


    Really... Sometimes too cautious can be dangerous, too.


    Gotta' have balance. seesaw


     
  4. BTPost

    BTPost Stumpy Old Fart,Deadman Walking, Snow Monkey Moderator

    We deal with Risks every day of our lives.... Only an Individual can decide what Risks are acceptable for them, in any situation. Others can have "An Opinion" but it is just that, An Opinion, and should NOT be used to beat someone else over the HEAD with because theirs is different. Many folks would say My LifeStyle is Risky... Well It IS, No Doubt there... but I accept those Risks, and weigh them against the quality of my Life, and the CHOSE to live here, 2 hours from the nearest Medical Help. Risky for Citified folks who like to be able to call 911. I choose to deal with these Risks on my own, and if I Screw Up, I will pay the price for my choices, Period. I never had a Bicycle Helmet, in all the years I have been alive, and I never had one, for the many years I rode my Motorcycle, either. Yes, I laid my Bike ove,r a few times, and had a road-rash a few times, as well, but those were the risks I had decided were acceptable at that time in my life. I had a career in the PowderMan Biz, while I was in college. Very risky Occupation, but it paid for my education, so it was an acceptable Risk, that I took to get an education. I fly in small airplanes, ALL the Time, It is part of the risks of living where I do. I accept those risks as part of my Lifestyle. What risks we take, are up to us, individually, and NO ONE has a lock on what the future Holds for anyone.... ...... YMMV.....
     
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  5. Silversnake

    Silversnake Silverback

    I agree with Tracy and BT as far as quality of life versus risk balance. Just sitting in a chair has risk. We all have to balance it for ourselves as individuals. I appreciate various ideas on it, that's why I brought it up.

    Tracy, as far as working on the property, I love ours and work on it daily with some potentially hazardous stuff. The one time this really bit us in the butt was when I was being stubborn lifting rocks and such near the pond and herniated my back and tore some ligaments in my spine. Happened last May and I lost a whole summers worth of hard work. I could do the small stuff, but the heavy work was out of the question.Another time was when the wife wasn't paying attention and stepped wrong off the porch, twisted her ankle badly and was maybe 50% functional at best for a few months. She would have been better off had it just fractured. There was some overlap with those, so we were both broke for a while.

    If we had to bug out or perform any other vigorous activity for catastrophes during that time, we would have been up a creek.

    Since we are talking about personal choices, my personal choices are to use reasonable risk management measures to mitigate as much as possible, but still do what I need to whether it is have a good time or get work done.

    Some of the things on the list were to evoke lively dialogue. Glad to see it worked.
     
  6. Redneck Rebel

    Redneck Rebel Monkey++

    Getting out of bed is high risk for me. I got shot at again just Tuesday night, 6 shots at me right behind my own house. 2nd time this year I've dodged bullets.
     
  7. Brokor

    Brokor Live Free or Cry Moderator Site Supporter+++ Founding Member

    I am now certain you live in a bad neighborhood.
     
  8. Clyde

    Clyde Jet Set Tourer Administrator Founding Member

    And I though Dragonfly needed to move!
     
  9. tacmotusn

    tacmotusn RIP 1/13/21

    Damn, y'all hoot and holler and carry on like y'all was wild or somethin' all week long where y'all is at. We usually only hold such truck on weekends here bouts. Such goin' ons would probably cause what little hair I got left to turn white. I might have to take a scalp or three if I lived where you do. Stay safe n don't let the local savages sneak up on ya. Y'all got a good dog don't cha? If ya don't ya aught to get a good strong mean one.
     
  10. Seawolf1090

    Seawolf1090 Retired Curmudgeonly IT Monkey Founding Member

    "High risk behavior"..... it can mean not eating right, getting no excercise, getting fat and in bad health.
    My situation til a month ago.

    Now I feel the best I have in two years - eating right, cutting out the bad stuff, reassessing my storage dietary needs for SHTF day, getting out and DOING.....
    I am losing weight, no longer"'huff & puff", and am looking towards getting to feeling the best in five years, then ten, then....?
    It'll take awhile, but if I can get a couple years in like this, then a quick Bug-out would be possible. Right now, no.

    I do ride a motorcycle too - in Tallahassee traffic, that's definitely 'risky'. Those danged college kids do NOT see motorbikes, or the fat old duffers on them. :rolleyes:
    I'm buying into a private hunting lease, so I don't have to risk getting shot in the forest by some bubba with more ammo than brains. Mitigating some risk there!
     
  11. chelloveck

    chelloveck Diabolus Causidicus

    I understand where SS is coming from....

    I understand where SS is coming from....and where the risk takers are coming from.

    From SS's perspective, a SHTF / PAW environment represents a paradigm shift that is a game changer in the business of survival. In an environment where there is less of a chance of having medical/surgical facilities / resources available to patch up / revive people who have participated in activities which are inordinately risky, in comparison to the advantages and benefits of said risky behaviour. A world where antibiotics / medications may not be available to heal or arrest disease would give cause for some people to reassess risks and try and minimise harm.

    I get the other side's points of individual liberty and acceptance of personal responsibility for the consequences of their actions, responsible or irresponsible, and the fact that it is impossible and impractical to control individuals to protect them from their own stupidity or unbound fearlessness. As Tracy points out, overweaning cautiousness can sometimes be as hazardous when boldness and an acceptance of some risk is what is required to get oneself out of a dangerous situation.

    For myself, I am a reasonably cautious person, though I have from time to time engaged in risky activities (firefighting / parachuting / abseiling / bodyboarding in extreme (for my level of competency) conditions / preparing demolitions / military training). As I get older and (arguably) wiser, I tend to look at what I do with a more critical eye in terms of risk management and harm minimisation. As a parent, I have tried to teach my sons to use judgement in evaluating risks versus gains in what they do, and as a leader in a group it is beholden upon me to exert my influence to inculcate the importance of risk management and harm minimisation in activities that the group are engaged in. If individuals in the group are taking risks that are a danger to a group that I am leading, then I would have to consider whether I ought to continue my membership of that group or whether the group can afford to carry the kind of risk takers that would endanger the group.

    I have no difficulty wearing personal protective equipment...doing so has probably saved my life a few times....wearing a seatbelt in a high speed head on collision (other driver's fault), wearing helmet and leathers on motorcycle (my error-riding too fast for conditions), wearing a bicycle helmet (hit by SUV at a pedestrian crossing). I often carry a first aid kit with me, either so I can give first aid, or so someone has the material means to give me first aid. I also tend use risk analysis when doing an activity that I am unfamiliar with that seems to have some inherent risk involved. I do what I can to defer being given a Darwin Award...it just means I get to enjoy life and a longer relationship with my children and grand children than if I were an adrenalin junkie chasing the next ephemeral recreational adrenalin hit.
     
  12. Brokor

    Brokor Live Free or Cry Moderator Site Supporter+++ Founding Member

    That was harsh, dude. If you make me cry I will never forgive you. [hissyfit] Besides, playing it too safe is just [haay]


    :D
     
    Tracy likes this.
  13. larryinalabama

    larryinalabama Monkey++

    I GOT SOME SAD NEWS FOR ALL YOUR FELLERS AND FELLEROOETTS,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
    WERE ALL GONNA DIE............
     
    Cephus and oldawg like this.
  14. BTPost

    BTPost Stumpy Old Fart,Deadman Walking, Snow Monkey Moderator

    Yep, You can count the folks, that have got off this rock, without dying, on One Hand.... If you believe the Book.... If not, then No One has done it..... ..... YMMV....
     
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  15. TailorMadeHell

    TailorMadeHell Lurking Shadow Creature

    Let me see... I eat red meat, eat sausage instead of bacon, smoke cigs, drive, walk the street sides, shop in high crime areas sometimes, have to get off the ground of heights of about 12 feet at times, am in the military, have sex sometimes, get migraines and have bouts with high blood pressure occasionally. Those are some high risk behaviors to some and not so to others. As Jim Morrison once said, No One Here Gets Out Alive.

    I have heard that life is like a rental car. At the end of the ride, you can bring it back in the same good condition that you got it in, and unfortunately you don't get the deposit back. Or you can bring it in on three blown tires, muffler hanging loose, engine screaming, windshield cracked and show everyone you had a good time. The choice is entirely yours. I understand the being careful, though you can't lock yourself into that mindset where you are being too careful. Some people actually suffer mental problems about that concept.

    As stated many times in this forum and other good places on the net, preppers prepare, that's what we do, though you cannot prepare for every eventuality. Be careful to avoid injury, though don't forget to have some fun. And that is my two cents.
     
    Brokor likes this.
  16. Redneck Rebel

    Redneck Rebel Monkey++

    Just was shot at again. Bout 10 shots while standing outside my friends store from about 12 feet away. Was looking at my phone and all hell broke loose. Ducked and ran inside, ordered the gates closed, meanwhile everyone is laughing and trying to tell me it was fireworks. Got pics of some casings, look to be .380's another guy in the lot was wounded and a car with a baby in the back was shot up badly
    IMG_20120510_204129. IMG_20120510_204053.
     
  17. chelloveck

    chelloveck Diabolus Causidicus

    1. If you cry, it's because you choose to do so...nothing to do with me...and forgiveness..... is for those who give a damn! (which I don't) ; )

    2. Playing safe doesn't necessarily mean not taking risks. It just means that the costs and probable negative outcomes of the risk, on balance needs be outweighed by costs and probable benefits of the risk . There's little to lose and much to gain by manipulating the odds in your own favour...I'd rather live prudently and enjoy my life longer...than imprudently acting without regard for my own health and well being and unnecessarily foreshortening it. Except for vampires, there's not much enjoyment to be had inside a pine box six feet under. Better a limp wrist than a wrist stiff with rigor mortis I think. But if you think differently...go for it! lol
     
  18. chelloveck

    chelloveck Diabolus Causidicus


    You sure you aren't living in Beirut, Baghdad, or Kabul??? I take it that the clothiers where you live sell suits and dresses made of kevlar and ballistic nylon! : O
     
  19. Brokor

    Brokor Live Free or Cry Moderator Site Supporter+++ Founding Member

    I was joking Chellovek.
     
  20. chelloveck

    chelloveck Diabolus Causidicus

    As was I Brokor...well....mostly lol

    When I think of some of the things that I have done...in and out of uniform...it's a wonder that I'm still living. Having come close to dying a couple of times, it puts a slightly different perspective on high risk behaviour.

    Thankyou Brokor....our sallies at each other on the subject have put me in mind of a book by Laurence Gonzales called "Deep Survival: Who Lives, Who Dies, and Why". Risk taking and the perception of risk is an element of survival that Gonzales discusses in some depth.

    Deep Survival: Who Lives, Who Dies, and Why: Laurence Gonzales: 9780393052763: Amazon.com: Books

    Laurence Gonzales on Deep Survival | Laurence Gonzales | Big Think
     
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