I have dropped my bike a couple of times, had a rear tire blowout at highway speed, and had a car t-bone me turning left. When I was young I thought helmets were pussy and the wind in your face was what it was all about. I wear a full face helmet now. For me, survival is being ultra aware of my surroundings and trying to anticipate possible traffic threats 1/4 mile ahead of me. My advice is to know your bike well enough that in a danger situation you can react automatically without thinking. Identify possible threats before they are upon you and have a plan ready if they should happen. Don't show off, it's not worth the risk. My brother-in-law slid off a sandy corner on his souped up Harley while racing some other idiots and was paralyzed from the neck down for 3 years until he died. For God's sake NEVER drink and ride! Too many have died or been seriously injured because their idea of a ride is to go bar hopping on bikes. These days I ride mostly rural roads which means more threat from deer at dusk than traffic but I have never relaxed my awareness. Ride safe, ride smart, ride sober and live to watch your kids grow up.