Managing risks and problems underway

I am often asked how I manage risks on my rowboat. My appreciation of risk balances the likelihood of encountering a given threat and its impact on my safety. I do not lose sleep over a high impact event that is unlikely to happen, for example, which allows me to focus on what matters instead of letting my imagination run wild, paralyzing me with fear.

A similar level headed approach is necessary if one has to remain in a problem solving mindset to persevere while remaining self reliant. Before committing to any adventure, I visualize the experience in advance, running scenarios about what may go wrong then prepare accordingly. In a way, this is a process of elimination.

For example, I can think of what may break and have replacement parts or dedicated repair kits or I would have to do without. Building redundancies in my kit may save space and resources in this case.

Appreciating lurking dangers and having mitigation strategies in place is critical to my safety. Remaining vigilant and recognizing problems early gives me added time to seek solutions. I am always cognizant that being surprised with a problem that I cannot solve, would doom my chances. If I discover a problem early and I was prepared to handle it, then I would have hope, the situation would remain manageable.

This is where checklists become very useful. A maintenance routine which includes checking critical equipment or rigging and verifying that the bilges or holds remain dry, keeps my boat afloat. Available tools and parts are a function of my foresight during preparation. Prior training may provide the knowledge to bolster my improvisational skills to maintain a sense of control over my destiny. Experience and creativity save time while implementing a reasonable solution.

I would hate to see the problem and have little solution, which would test my abilities to arrange an orderly retreat while feeling foolish about it. Depending on the severity of the problem, the manner and timing of the retreat would determine my survival.

Unaware and unable is my no-go zone. My goal over time is to shrink that toward the 0x0 corner as best that I can.