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

[Glasto73lover]

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.!

A close family member died suddenly and tragically a decade ago - literally dropped dead at home age 48 - something went pop in their head. So you genuinely don’t know when your time is up.

It’s that idea of a chain of consequence that can go so horribly wrong too- people always say ‘oh but you could get hit by a bus’ - stuff like this actually makes me really anxious. So many what ifs.

For Michael Moseley - a chain of probably inconsequential decisions may have led to his death- not having a phone on him, choosing to undertake a walk that in the U.K. is nothing but in that heat, was devastating and probably caused his death.

It makes me anxious that I won’t know if I am making those decisions - am I making sense? I think as I have got older, I have become more anxious and risk averse (thanks menopause) and as a result, you could end up not leaving the house. How do you choose a sensible approach? Not too much risk but some!

But I also want to live my life too!! I guess I find incidents like this quite difficult!

I guess always having a phone, not undertaking walks in intense heat in an unfamiliar place etc are the common sense points that will come out of this tragedy.

Aibu to find it anxiety provoking tho?!

Risks mean different things to different people. Many people fail to assess the impact of accumulated risks from eating badly or lack of exercise. It is these accumulated risks that ultimately kill more people in the UK than accidents or risky hobbies. The BHF estimated that over 30k people died from obesity last year and this is likely to be an underestimate as it is linked to so many diseases.

Isn’t it the case though that heatstroke is more detrimental to the person In their 60s than their 40’s however fit you are as the central nervous system starts to deteriorate in your 60s.

@GingerbicciesPlease Our temperature regulation depends on our autonomic nervous system. This deteriorates as we age. Being fit is good at any age. It does not eradicate all of the impact of getting older.

@Goldenbear sorry we cross posted.

Expierenced mountaineers with all the gear and know what they are doing and dont take chances have accidents and die.
Dog walkers who are a couple if times a day on the same route can trip and fall.
Inexperienced unfit people can make it to the top of Hellvelyn with no issues.

The lady that said she sticks to the same route, could easily slip and bang her head. She may be on the same route but nobody goes past and dh doesn't know anything is wrong because she within her normal walking time.
Anything can happen to anyone even if you have prepared well.
Shit hapens as some may say.

Is just a roll of the dice what happens to you.

Yes but actually I wasn’t entirely sure as not a medic but you have said the same so I think it is the case.

Central thirst receptors also deteriorate with age - starting in the 50s - so that older people are more prone to unknowingly becoming dehydrated because they don't feel thirsty in the same way

The problem is that in our minds, we are still much younger in how we think of ourselves than our bodies have aged (if that makes sense?). So many people would happily think they could cope with doing potentially risky things, based on getting away with doing such activities at a much younger (decades!) age. But in one's 50s, 60s or 70s one might come a cropper, as did poor Michael Mosley.

Yes but equally people are quick to assume that not eating well is all upfs and Twix.

In reality a lot of the most delicious foods ( I’m thinking oozy upf free cheeses - vacherin! Yum! - creamy truffled gratins, Armagnac soaked sponge with chocolate delice topping etc) would for many people give a Greek salad a run for its money without a upf in sight. I’d pick a salad over a twix or McDonald’s any day. But over a truffled porcini risotto… not so sure …

Mine have in my forties. I definitely notice not getting thirsty.

I'm from a mediterranean country and during summer we don't plan outdoor activities under the direct sun during 12 noon and 4:00 pm, we stay indoors or in shadowy places just chilling, and it's not because we're lazy, there's a strong reason for that. If it's not safe for us (olive skin toned people) with bodies used to high temperatures I don't want to think the effect this has on a British man who is not used to it, specially at 2:00 pm when the heat is at it's strongest point, it's utter madness.

Wow, I'd hate to be an old man being analysed on Mumsnet. Going for a walk whilst on holiday is not usually considered such a terrible crime.

The 'same route' risk mitigation is an interesting one, given that lone female runners are advised to vary their route to protect them from would-be attackers. When there are competing risks associated with the same activity, it's not as straightforward.

Ultimately MM was a clever man who normally gave topics a lot of thought.

Something has happened that has disrupted his decision-making - probably heat, or feeling poorly, or politeness/feeling he couldn’t tell the hosts the beach was minging and boring him or whatever - and he’s made an error of judgment.

We all do, all the time. Fortunately we normally get away with it. Unfortunately he didn’t.

It’s just very sad and I’m not really sure anger etc it’s fair - though it may be natural to a degree.

The story sadly reminds me of the lady who did a solo hike in America a few years ago. She went unprepared. She nipped into a bush to do a wee, stood up and couldn't find the path again. She was found dead about two years later and about 150 metres from the path. That story didn't add up either.

@TwixOwl could you explain what you mean by "That story didn't add up", please? Do you mean you think she wasn't really lost?

It's not a crime by any means ( it's perfectly legal) while it's totally fine for anyone going for a walk alone in a shadowy area on the south of France it's quite risky in Greece under 40 degrees and in a cliff area while carrying no phone. Maybe a young person with no health issues would have been fine but an older man who is not used to high temperatures with health issues is playing Russian roulette.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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!

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.

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.

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"