You’re the master of your boat and a keen weather forecaster; you’ve got local knowledge and a bushel of experience; your gear is tough and smart. You don’t wear a silly orange life vest or a red clown nose.
So much for hubris. Ask old fellahs and bluewater shellbacks just how they felt at the moment they realized that order had failed and adrenalin arrived. They felt exactly what you’ll feel when your confidence evaporates with the sound of a shroud parting or the smell of smoke.
Ancient Persian shepherds took their sheep and their provisions over rushing rivers on rafts of blow-up bullock hides.