no fear of death

runmikeyrun · #1 12-24-2011, 01:13 AM

I realized today that I have no fear of death. I have always done reckless things- street racing motorcycles, dirtbikes, been a firefighter since I was 18. I honestly am not afraid to die. I don't like getting hurt, coincidentally I am VERY safety oriented and careful (something the fire service has taught me) but when it comes to doing dangerous things I'll think about how doing something can cause me to break a leg, etc but I never ever think about being killed. It's not that i'm reckless and do things without thinking them through, on the contrary I usually think things very far ahead. I am just not afraid to be killed.

This summer I was hit on my motorcycle. I was rear ended and knocked off the bike, and the car that rear ended me stopped about a foot from running me over. I seriously just calmly stood up and starting taking pictures of the wreck (others had already called 911). The driver was so freaked out, and I wasn't shaken, upset, or nervous in any way. I've been in many other precarious/dangerous situations and always felt calm cool and collected. I find this strange.

I don't know, is it just me or is anyone else not afraid to die?

Sublab · #2 12-24-2011, 01:52 AM

From what you're saying I gather that you've simply got a healthly atitude. You say you're always careful and the risks you take are calculated ones. Not being afraid of death probably enables you to keep your head cool in certain situations, rather than having angst, which could affect your judgement.

I won't say I have the same fearlesness you have, but I've been in a serious car accident a few years back. The car went off the road in a bend and flipped several times over. I remember everything, never screamed or paniked. When the car stopped the first thing I did was check myself and my friend beside me, and found that our friend in the back seat had gone. The blood was rushing through my brain but I kept absolute calmness and attended in the best possible way to my friend who had gotten thrown out of the car and was laying by the side of the road. Right up until the ambulance guys drove him to the hospital I helped out where I could, never losing my nerve.
In the Himalaya I felt the same calm when climbing down ravines or crossing fast flowing glacier rivers on just a few branches.

Did the tests for entering the fire departement in Brussels a few years back, a few months after the accident, but I blew it on the swimming test. Have become a certified industrial climber as an alternative, but rigging jobs are sparse around here...

Wouldn't worry too much if I were you.

Jazz Ad · #3 12-24-2011, 02:54 AM

I'd say you haven't been close enough to death to fear it.
The main function of fear is to keep you alive. It's rather useful.

::::BASSIST:::: · #4 12-24-2011, 03:23 AM

Death is just sleeping without dreaming. Nothing to be afraid of. Leaving loved ones behind is the part I dont like.

Simo98 · #5 12-24-2011, 04:13 AM

To be honest, I am probably more excited about death than fearful. I'm not in any hurry to die, but when it happens I'll try and make the most of the experience. As far as I know, you only get one shot at it.

Skitch it! · #6 12-24-2011, 04:31 AM

I don't know, I've known quite a few guys who don't think much about it, very dangerous risky stuff. They are not non-calculating, just super confident they can could pull it off. They know their own limitations and are aware of their abilities, they just don't have 'the fear'.

jabsys · #7 12-24-2011, 05:00 AM

I don't fear death, I've done plenty of stupid things on bikes and death has never been something I've thought about. I guess it's because being dead is the end, you don't know the difference after, being paralysed or banged up is what makes me evaluate the risks before doing something.

::::BASSIST:::: · #8 12-24-2011, 05:09 AM

I remember playing a gig with my Grandfather at a retirement home. There was a young guy there who couldnt have been more than 20, who lived there. He had no control of his body below his neck and needed constant care.

His situation was due to a motorcycle accident.

Living like that scares me alot more than death.

Relic · #9 12-24-2011, 05:31 AM

Not afraid of it at all. I faced it before myself and it kind of put a lot of things into perspective. The only thought of it that's rough for me is missing my kids grow up and such. Other than that? 'Aint nothing

thumpbass1 · #10 12-24-2011, 06:20 AM

I know I took many risks in my youth. I escaped a few incidents where the proverbial Grim Reaper was tapping at the window so to speak, but I shook it off as being dumb luck, or maybe some act of divine providence for fools to be philosophical about it. I really didn't come to grips with the notion of my own mortality until I got diagnosed with a treatable, but incurable heart condition at age 49. I'm 55 now and I'm grateful for each new day. I have accepted that I will die someday and maybe sooner than I'd hoped for myself. I don't fear death itself so much, but rather the notion of a prolonged dying process. Anyways life is a gift folks, so enjoy it to the fullest.

**Staccato** · #11 12-24-2011, 06:37 AM

There's no guarantees when driving a car, or motorcycle. Your luck may run out-next time...

One relative was flown by helicopter to the hospital after a motorcycle crash, and another carries a card to show the TSA (airport security scanners) before flying, it shows the various metal parts in his body that hold him together since multiple motorcycle crashes.

Blind Rat · #12 12-24-2011, 06:54 AM

I have been close to death many times,I have seen death on the roads it scares me not.
I look forward to the rest I am tired.

.

sandmangeck · #13 12-24-2011, 07:45 AM

I don't fear death, I'd just rather it stay away for awhile as I've got 2 kids, and a lady to take care of.

Datsgor · #14 12-24-2011, 09:00 AM

I am not frightened of dying, anytime will do. I don't mind. Why should I be frightened of dying, there's no reason for it,
we gotta go sometime.

**Eric Perry** · #15 12-24-2011, 09:40 AM

I'm afraid of pain. I couldn't give two craps about dying.

**pacojas** · #16 12-24-2011, 09:54 AM

i understand what you're saying OP! every close call i have i simply brush myself off and continue on. i have been through some crazy high risk adventures and have even thought i was dead momentarily, but it's the people around you that suffer.

OP,..
would you sacrifice your life to save another?

mellowinman · #17 12-24-2011, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Datsgor

I am not frightened of dying, anytime will do. I don't mind. Why should I be frightened of dying, there's no reason for it,
we gotta go sometime.

You stole my answer.

Datsgor · #18 12-24-2011, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mellowinman

You stole my answer.

.......

Time Monkey · #19 12-24-2011, 03:53 PM

I'm not afraid of death so much as I'm afraid of how God awful this world would be without me.

Jay2U · #20 12-24-2011, 06:25 PM

I think death is like being switched off. No backup battery, no reboot, just unplugged without further function. I don't have any problem with that, but dying slowly, fighting for my life is what I fear.