To find what’s happened to Michael Mosley quite anxiety provoking

indeed but it seems to throw less "curveballs" at people who plan and prepare properly.

Yes, of course, what point are you trying to make???

Like 'numpties' who smoke or over eat or over drink, they also cost thousands

In warmer climates people know how to behave when the temperatures rise above 30. Also there are warnings in media/tv advising people, especially elderly and people with some chronic illnesses to avoid going out and stay hydrated etc. The risk of heatstroke is high in extremely hot weather.

You can "reduce" risks by driving within speed limits, being aware of your surroundings, and not getting too close to other vehicles on a motorway.

You can "reduce" risks of being attacked by a male partner by being more selective as to who you choose, i.e. take notice of red flags like anger, aggressiveness, number of previous partners, etc.

You can reduce risks caused by alcohol by not drinking it at all or being aware of what you're drinking, your limitations, how it affects you, etc.

You can reduce risks associated by being overweight by being more aware of your eating habits, taking more exercise, etc.

Whether a risk is "unnecessary" or not depends on your own personal risk profile and your own lifestyle choices. But at the end of the day, you take your risks and you take the consequences.

And no, I know that it's impossible to have a "risk free" life, even if you do everything in your power to avoid risks, you could always end up with an abusive partners, or run over by a runaway bus, or suffer diabetes even though you're not overweight, or get your non alcoholic drink spiked in a pub. But you have to do what is in your power to mitigate and avoid risks to at least reduce the probability of something awful happening to you, even though you can't eliminate everything.

@godmum56
anything can happen, yes, but there are mitigations we can put into place to make it less likely.
Indeed that why I started with expierenced mountaineers with right equipment etc.

Even if we do everything possible to stay safe there is always the chance that something completely unforseen can happen

Life throws some unexpected curveballs from time to time.

The risks for those things are no where near as high as what MM did. The only reason more people die because of them is because more people do them. If everyone walked around in extremely high temperatures mortality would go through the roof especially among older people regardless of their weight.

What would you call an unnecessary risk?

I would say that driving on motorways and A roads, living with a male partner (if you're a woman), drinking alcohol and being overweight are four things that can statistically increase your risk of mortality. But who avoids all those? (I manage two out of four). None of them are strictly necessary things to do, though.

Yes, and maybe after some time has passed, his family will choose to channel it into an awareness campaign . Anne Diamond did similar after the death of her little boy.

I agree, and it's not as if it was a "normal" walk back to someone's villa on a promenade or level footpath. It was over a small mountain on rough ground which was probably going to be a challenge for much younger, fitter people in cooler weather!

anything can happen, yes, but there are mitigations we can put into place to make it less likely.

Again, as a non British person I'm a bit shocked that people think "this was just a short walk where's the big deal?", there's a reason why the Greek locals stay in the shadow during the middle of the day when temperatures are high and don't engage in cliff walking at 2:00 pm.

@crackofdoom very true. Police & coastguards, helicopter and lifeboat all called out last Thursday because some numpty had walked too far round the beach and was cut off by the tide. Can you imagine how many 10s of thousands of pounds that cost?

Ah, thanks for the correction blondie. The farmer was a proper character, put it that way 😬 "I saw 'er outside the chip shop in Lynmouth the day before she went missing!".

It is so beautiful round there- but even as a regular on the SWCP I found some of the steep drops pretty alarming!

But, to put things in perspective, people falling off the coast path is surprisingly rare, given that in so many places it's a foot wide path bordered by a fatal drop. Coastguard callouts are more likely to be triggered by people getting into difficulties on the beach. It's just sobering to remember how close we all are to potential death- every day.

They might seem fitter in their 60s but are more likely to have cardiovascular disease and be at risk of heart attack or stroke than a younger person. DH was still running a lot in his early 60s. Anyone would have said he was very fit. He then had a heart attack. As he says, running doesn't prevent blood clots and even a relatively healthy diet doesn't totally prevent atherosclerosis. It builds up and the older you are the more likely you are to have it.

Don't you understand there are differing levels of risk, probability, etc?

It is within everyone's power to live a normal life, but whilst reducing risks, i.e. being prepared, not taking unnecessary risks, etc.

FFS going for a short walk, even in hot temps, is hardly risky, he wasn't solo kayaking the Grand Canyon!

You don't know what happened, all we've been told is he laid down.

Until there is further medical investigations, we ve no idea why or if it was "wholly preventable"

You just never know when your time will be up. I often wonder where I would be now without Google maps. My sense of direction is terrible. I would never go anywhere out of my local area without my phone and adequate hydration.

I agree with many things. But I am very risk averse with the natural world. I know many people are not though. I know people who have died mountain climbing, and friends who still mountain climb. It really depends how much you really want to do these things. I take risks with other things because I really want to do them, so I think the risks are worth it.

I agree. Rather a life filled with some risk, than one of boredom. And I speak as someone who went to South America and Antarctica on my own (first time alone) at the age of 69. I was terrified, but so glad I did it!

This. Everything we do in life has some risk associated with it; some of us are more or less risk adverse. He was unlucky.

It’s that idea of never really knowing what’s going to happen- the idea that we walk such a fine line in life. If you think too much about it, you probably wouldn’t leave the house.!

I'm the opposite, the more I think about it, the more I think I should just get out there and do things whilst I still can. You're a long time dead, as they say!

I'm a big fan of "feel the fear and do it anyway" and stoic thinking.

I actually think everyone in the UK should take high temperatures more seriously. We are not used to hot weather, so do not really understand its impact.

I agree. I eat lots of delicious healthy foods and am fat. Too much of anything makes you fat.

Do you drive? Surely you're putting yourself at risk of a road accident, as well as being at more risk from harmful fumes inside your vehicle.

Do you walk or run in urban areas? Surely you're increasing your risk of attack.

Better stay inside and not take any risks then. Except that obesity and inactivity are the biggest drivers to poor health, immobility and increasing the burdens on the NHS that there are.