Are you counting 100% on yourself, or are you betting you life on others.......??????

**Sourdough** · 05-31-2010, 02:00 AM

Look for the assumptions........Who are you counting on.....? What are you assuming, or counting on. Really I guarantee you have made assumptions that could kill you.......look for them.

**doug1980** · 05-31-2010, 02:04 AM

I count on myself and my wife that's it. Not saying I have never counted on anyone else before or that I will not count on others again at some point. Never know what may happen.

**rebel** · 05-31-2010, 02:55 AM

Just my self. If that doesn't work, oh well.

**crashdive123** · 05-31-2010, 06:28 AM

I'm counting on my wife, and she on me. Outside of my health, this is the motivating factor in my recent undertaking. Have we made assumptions that could kill us? Maybe, but if so they are not overtly obvious. Have we made assumptions that may be false - maybe, but a continuing evaluation of things will hopefully point out any errors that have been made.

**Ken** · 05-31-2010, 07:19 AM

Everyone makes assumptions that can kill them.

I assume that the sun won't explode today. I assume that a meteorite won't crush my home tonight. I can't control either possibility or take any reasonable precaution to avoid such events, either.

I assume that a food product I have eaten for years isn't laden with botulism today. I assume that a stray bullet won't kill me as I'm driving down the road. I inspect my food before I eat it and avoid driving in certain areas, but where does one draw the line?

The odds of any fatal event happening are all different. Even if I lived a mile below the surface of the earth and employed guards and food tasters, there would be some element of risk every moment of the day.

The question is, are the assumptions I am making REASONABLE assumptions?

**Pal334** · 05-31-2010, 07:37 AM

Life is a series of Risk Management decisions. The only thing one can do is evaluate and act. Nothing is perfect, but dwelling on the "what ifs" can cripple you to the point that you will not make a decision and that is the beginning of the end

**BENESSE** · 05-31-2010, 08:08 AM

I've made a lot assumptions. Because there is so much more I don't know than I do, I have to go on making them. Hopefully, most would be educated and a fewer gut.
As far as counting on other people, it's a luxury I don't have. Other than Mr. B, that's it. And even that isn't 100% because there's no guarantee that he'll be there right when I need him. So I count on myself and try to improve my odds. The way I see it, that's about all I can do.

**2dumb2kwit** · 05-31-2010, 10:39 AM

I think the assumptions that kill more people than any other, is that the people in other cars aren't going to make any mistakes.

We've had several examples of people on this forum, avoiding serious wrecks, by seeing someone else make a mistake, in time to take action to avoid the wreck.

Not many people think of it this way, but being aware when you drive, saves lives.......likely your's and your loved ones.

**oldsoldier** · 05-31-2010, 11:53 AM

Originally Posted by Ken

Everyone makes assumptions that can kill them.

I assume that the sun won't explode today. I assume that a meteorite won't crush my home tonight. I can't control either possibility or take any reasonable precaution to avoid such events, either.

I assume that a food product I have eaten for years isn't laden with botulism today. I assume that a stray bullet won't kill me as I'm driving down the road. I inspect my food before I eat it and avoid driving in certain areas, but where does one draw the line?

The odds of any fatal event happening are all different. Even if I lived a mile below the surface of the earth and employed guards and food tasters, there would be some element of risk every moment of the day.

The question is, are the assumptions I am making REASONABLE assumptions?

Yeah have to agree with Ken here. IF were not careful anything we deal with on a daily basis could have the potential of killing us. IMHO if we are careful then that likelyhood is greatly reduced. BUT again IMO if it's your time to go then no matter what you do won't make any difference. As far as depending on anyone? The only person I will 100% count on is me. I'll trust my wife 99.9999% and my family ( Brother-in-law, sister, and a couple other family members 99.0% anyone else friends, co-workers, etc. Will have to prove themselves and then I won't trust them completely.

**gryffynklm** · 05-31-2010, 01:28 PM

All I have is my wife and myself to count on. That is assuming we are together at the time of "the count". There are a few that I have talked to about emergency philosophy. I have an idea of who is perhaps like minded but when in the midst of a situation philosophies can change. Count on them????? We'll see who stands up to be counted on. Despite my intentions and good nature today, the situation and how folks stand up to that situation will show their character and integrity, that will influence my actions. I intend part of the solution, I will not be taken advantage of. This can end up a vulnerability. integrity can get you killed when others do not operate on the principles of honesty and integrity.

I'll have to be extreamly careful of that or I 'm doomed. Error to the side of safety.

**Rick** · 06-01-2010, 07:40 AM

Clearly depends on the scenario. I may have only myself to depend on or I may have a group. I prepare the best I can based on what I perceive to be the most probable events but I don't rely on anyone or anything. When the event occurs I'll go from there. You can build all the plans you want but the event doesn't know what the plan is so it probably won't be following it.

**rwc1969** · 06-01-2010, 02:22 PM

I rely on me. If I relied on others I would have crapped out a long time ago. Sad but true. I may not make the best decisions all the time, but the decisions I make keep me alive AND WELL. The decisions others have made for me have usually ended in disaster.

Doesn't mean I won't rely on someone else if the situation presents itself, but I will proceed with caution.

**DOGMAN** · 06-01-2010, 02:51 PM

I just assume I'll die eventually. I really don't rely on anyone, but I think there are people around who are willing to help me during a time of need....probably not the people I figured would help though. Often times the ones you figure will help are busy when you need help, but other folks that you might not even know come to your assistance in your time of need.

**Sourdough** · 06-01-2010, 03:50 PM

Originally Posted by DOGMAN

I just assume I'll die eventually. I really don't rely on anyone, but I think there are people around who are willing to help me during a time of need....probably not the people I figured would help though. Often times the ones you figure will help are busy when you need help, but other folks that you might not even know come to your assistance in your time of need.

VERY True, Good observation. Sent you a free Greenie'thingie.

**trax** · 06-01-2010, 05:38 PM

Originally Posted by Sourdough

... Really I guarantee you have made assumptions that could kill you.....

That's quite an assumption. Meanwhile, what dogman said, and...I count on me.

**grizz** · 06-03-2010, 12:56 PM

I agree with Rick, it depends on the scenario, if i'm in SOCAL on fires and need to get home 600+ miles. or I'm at home and need to stay or leave. If we choose to leave and go, there are many different places to go to. I can have my BOV loaded in 15 minutes. totally self sufficent for 60 days and 800 miles or i can load food for 6 months and only worry about water. I think what gives people involved in these sites the advantage is that we are always thinking about what to take, for the different emergencies that may arise.. I have 24 months before i retire and have asked the wife that we try this just once after i retire. You know pack and go to a BOL and stay for a few weeks. I hope the fish will be biting?

**Rick** · 06-03-2010, 03:02 PM

Grizz - Let me offer up a suggestion that she will probably go for. Do just what you said but instead of keeping her out for weeks the first time make it a local hotel for the week-end. You bug out to a hotel. You can to practice your plan, she gets a week-end of maid service and the pool. Win/win. The catch? You can only use what's in your packs for the week-end. That will let you know what you missed and what you don't need. (You have to treat her to dinner, though. She'll kill you otherwise.

2nd test find some place else she would like but for bit longer. 3rd test maybe some place you like for a week.

There's no reason to toss a month on her the very first time. Work your way up and flex your plan in the process.

**Trabitha** · 06-03-2010, 03:04 PM

I'm with Crash, Hubby and I count on each other. I excel where he stumbles and he excels where I stumble. We're a team, in the truest sense of the word and trust one another to watch the others back in any kind of situation.