Doing Dangerous Things Carefully
Embracing Life's Challenges: Why Living is Worth the Risk. by Damien McCloud
Here at the SpinOut Waterbike Experience, we like to say that we "do dangerous things carefully," We say this because we want to enlighten our riders that this activity can be dangerous if done in an unsafe way, and to help ensure that our customers have a fun and enjoyable experience, we minimize their chances of accidents or injuries by making a plan, knowing our equipment, the weather, the water conditions, wearing our safety gear, abiding by established rules, practicing good technique, and always paying attention to our surroundings
The experiences we have before we die are what make us feel alive. Many believe that by pushing ourselves to places where we are anxious or scared, we are challenging ourselves to evolve personally, physically, mentally, culturally, professionally, and nationally. We challenge our thoughts, feelings, emotions, and physical abilities every day, and we feel that is the whole reason why we are here.
To just exist is not enough, and success or failure is also not the point; what really matters is that we learn from these challenges and evolve. Change is the only constant, so it's essential to get better or die. Understanding the risks we face in our daily activities and from different causes can help us make informed decisions about how to live our lives. Although the odds of dying from these activities are relatively low, it's crucial to comprehend the risks we face and take steps to mitigate them.
The Unknown:
One of the most significant challenges in life is learning to embrace the unknown. Whether it's trying something new, taking a risk, or facing a difficult situation, the fear of the unknown can be paralyzing. However, it's important to remember that the unknown is also full of possibility and opportunity. By embracing the unknown, we open ourselves up to new experiences and growth.
Struggle brings value:
Living is worth the risk because it allows us to experience the richness of life. There will be challenges and struggles along the way, but these very challenges make life worth living. The moments of joy and happiness that we experience are made even sweeter by the struggles we have overcome.
Deepen your connections:
Furthermore, living is worth the risk because it allows us to connect with others. Life is about relationships, and by taking risks and putting ourselves out there, we have the opportunity to form deep, meaningful connections with others. These connections provide us with support, love, and a sense of belonging that enriches our lives.
What is your purpose?
Living is also worth the risk because it allows us to fulfill our purpose in life. Each of us has a unique purpose and calling, and it's up to us to discover what that is. By taking risks and pursuing our dreams, we can live a fulfilling and meaningful life.
Life is full of challenges and uncertainties, but it's these very challenges that make life worth living. By embracing the unknown, connecting with others, and fulfilling our purpose, we are able to live a life that is rich, meaningful, and full of joy. So take the risk, embrace the unknown, and live life to the fullest.
Statistics:
The most surprising contrast between all risky activities highlighted below is the vast difference in their likelihood of causing harm or death. For example, the risk of dying from shark bites or bungee jumping is relatively low, with odds of 1 in 11.5 million and 1 in 500,000, respectively. In contrast, the odds of dying from the flu or heart disease are much higher, at 1 in 63,000 and 1 in 6, respectively. This demonstrates that some of our perceptions of risk can often be skewed by our emotions and biases and that it's important to consider actual statistics and data when evaluating risk.
Activities and Causes of Death:
Death is inevitable, but it's not something we like to think about too often. By examining the risks associated with different activities and causes of death, we can make more informed decisions about how we live our lives. In this article, we'll explore the odds of dying from various activities and causes, presented in ratio format to help you understand the risks better.
Stand-Up Paddle Boarding and Kayaking:
The US Coast Guard's (USCG) 2019 Recreational Boating Statistics report indicates Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) is a low-risk activity that has become increasingly popular in recent years. There were still 5 fatalities and 51 injuries related to SUP Boarding in the US in 2019, translating to odds of about 1 in 4.4 million of dying while SUPing. And there were a total of 141 kayaking accidents that resulted in 167 injuries and 23 fatalities in the United States. The odds of dying from kayaking accidents are low, which also translates to the odds of about 1 in 111,000.
Boating Accidents:
Boating accidents can happen for various reasons, such as operator error, mechanical failure, or bad weather. According to the US Coast Guard's 2019 Recreational Boating Statistics report, the odds of dying in a boating accident are about 1 in 342,000.
Surfing:
Surfing is another low-risk activity, with the odds of dying while surfing estimated to be about 1 in 17 million, according to the National Safety Council.
Skiing and Snowboarding:
Winter sports like skiing and snowboarding come with some inherent risks. The National Safety Council estimates that the odds of dying while skiing are about 1 in 1.4 million, while the odds of dying while snowboarding are about 1 in 3.5 million.
Mountain Biking:
Mountain biking is an exhilarating way to explore the outdoors and stay in shape, but it's not without risks. The National Safety Council estimates the odds of dying while mountain biking is about 1 in 2.5 million.
Road Biking:
Road biking is a popular activity, but it comes with some risks, particularly if you share the road with cars and other vehicles. According to the National Safety Council, the odds of dying while road biking are about 1 in 4.3 million.
Walking and Running:
Walking and running are two of the most popular forms of exercise, but accidents can happen. According to the National Safety Council, the odds of dying while walking are about 1 in 250,000, while the odds of dying while running are about 1 in 150,000.
Food Poisoning:
So you find a sketchy restaurant is the only place open at 2 am what are the odds I will get sick and die? Food poisoning by eating contaminated food containing harmful bacteria, viruses, or parasites is, in most cases, mild and resolves on their own. However, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), some can be serious or fatal. The odds of dying from food poisoning are about 1 in 3 million.
Heart Disease and Cancer:
Heart disease and cancer are the two leading causes of death in the United States. The National Center for Health Statistics estimates that the odds of dying from heart disease are about 1 in 6, while the odds of dying from cancer are about 1 in 5
Stroke:
A stroke is a severe medical emergency that occurs when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted. The odds of dying from a stroke are about 1 in 24, according to the National Center for Health Statistics.
Flu:
Although the flu is a common illness, it can be serious, particularly for vulnerable groups. The odds of dying from the flu are about 1 in 63,000; according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the flu is responsible for hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations and tens of thousands of deaths in the United States yearly. Most people who get the flu will recover without complications; however, young children, elderly adults, pregnant women, and those with underlying health conditions may be at a higher risk for severe illness or complications.
Shark Attack:
Shark attacks capture the public's imagination, but they're actually quite rare! According to the International Shark Attack File, the odds of dying from a shark attack are about 1 in 11.5 million.
Quick Stats & References:
Things that could kill you: Ordered from least likely to most likely.
From Shark Attack: 1 in 11,500,000
Commercial Flights: 1 in 11,000,000
SUP Boarding: 1 in 4,400,000
Road Cycling: 1 in 4,300,000
Snowboarding: 1 in 3,500,000
Mountain Biking: 1 in 2,500,000
Skiing: 1 in 1,400,000
Boating: 1 in 658,000
Bungee Jumping 1 in 500,000
Sleeping: 1 in 500,000
Walking: 1 in 250,000
Running: 1 in 150,000
Sky Diving 1 in 101,083
Flu: 1 in 63,000
Helicopter Crash: 1 in 11,000
Food poisoning: 1 in 3,000
Driving a car: 1 in 103
Stroke: 1 in 24
Surfing: 1 in 17
Heart disease: 1 in 6
Cancer: 1 in 5
References:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). National Vital Statistics System. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/deaths.htm
International Shark Attack File. (2021). Statistics
https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/shark-attacks/statistics/
National Safety Council. (2021). Odds of dying. https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/all-injuries/preventable-death-overview/odds-of-dying/
National Geographic. (2019). Shark Attack Odds
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/2019/07/shark-attack-odds/
National Transportation Safety Board. (2021). Helicopter accidents. https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Pages/aviation.aspx
US Coast Guard, Odds of dying…: Recreational Boating Statistics 2020 (https://uscgboating.org/library/accident-statistics/Recreational-Boating-Statistics-2020.pdf)
CDC: (2021). Fatality Stats https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/deaths.htm
Forbes: (2017). Plane Crashes https://www.forbes.com/sites/niallmccarthy/2017/07/05/your-chances-of-dying-in-a-plane-crash-are-still-one-in-11-million-infographic/?sh=57b1eabd5a5d
Live Science: Helicopter Crashes https://www.livescience.com/why-helicopter-crashes-are-more-deadly.html
National Safety Council. (2021) Driving.
https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/overview/introduction/
National Safety Council, Injury Facts, 2021 edition: Odds of dying in sleep: https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/home-and-community/suffocation-and-sleeping-occupations
Australian & New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 2005. "Bungee jumping injuries and fatalities in New Zealand: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1467-842X.2005.tb00205.x