Well that turned out better than expected...

Having a PLB as a last resort is a great asset in the survival toolbox. Making foolish decisions and taking additional risks by knowing that it is there, is a matter of self discipline and judgment.

Similar to the discussions in the hiking solo thread. People may take more risks when hiking in a group, because they know the group can help bail them out.

Most everyone is willing to take more risk when they know there is a backup plan. The simple fact that most of us carry gear in the back country causes us to accept additional risk. At the same time, we're willing to accept some form of additional risk because we believe we're properly prepared to handle that risk.

All in all, going solo is riskier. Overall, your chances of getting out of anywhere alive is greater in a group. There are always cases where that is not the case. But they are the exception and the same may not hold true the next time around.

For the wise, it boils down to risk tolerance and what you are willing to accept. For the unwise, stupidity leads them astray. We will all have times when we make foolish actions in the spur of the moment, that may even go against our risk tolerance level. In those moments, we may get excited by the rush; however, we must also accept the resulting consequence, whether good or bad.