I think that you may be on to something. Facing a survival situation, knowing that your life is at stake, and then coming out of it ok has got to "innoculate" you to a point; you are innoculated against the fear that, in the final analysis, is the most deadly thing you face anyway.

In the case of a gear test, I was thinking about a winter overnighter up in the mountains with just my hunting gear and my newly-revamped wilderness PSK. I would leave word where I was and would have my vehicle handy for emergencies. I would not be risking my life. But I would probably be risking a case of frostbite. Thus, I think such an exercise would have some value, at least in my case.

It bears thinking about anyway.

Regards, Vince