You raise a good point. While I generally wouldn't change my behavior or the type of trips I take, I might be willing to do more things solo than I otherwise would. The existence of a PLB therefore perhaps increases my risk taking -- if you count solo trips as per se risky.

Interestingly, there have been studies that have reported that groups are more likely to have accidents in the wilderness. Some of it may be due to peer pressure. Some of it may be due to "I'm with a group; I feel safe" thinking.

In other words, the idea that solo travel is in and of itself more risky isn't necessarily true. The idea that it's safer to travel with a group assumes that the individuals don't relax their vigilance when they join a group, a poor assumption.

HJ