I simply don't buy any of the "if I use safety gear then I'll put things to the edge and/or be willing to do something stupid just because I know I can" thing.

That's ...

like saying I'm willing to crash my truck because I have insurance or because I wear a seat belt.

like driving my ATV recklessly just because I'm wearing a helmet.

like pointing my shotgun at my children because it has a safety switch.

I'd rather see people carry PLB's and be saved than not.

Its not much different with the police and fire departments... at least from my viewpoint. They spend most of the time dealing with losers, idiots, and goofballs (maybe less so for the fire dept), but I am happy to pay my taxes knowing that they will be there on the very rare occasion when I need them.