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There are moments in life when we all take risks. It could be finally pitching a bold idea to your boss, standing your ground with your in-laws, or doing something that scares you but feels necessary. Some risks help us grow, push boundaries, and lead to great outcomes.

But then there are risks that cross into truly dangerous territory. When someone online asked, “What’s the most dangerous thing you’ve ever done?”, the responses ranged from messing with a bull to jumping into a shark tank. These stories are intense, reckless, and sometimes hard to believe. Keep reading to see just how far people have gone and lived to tell the tale.

#1

Man carrying child into ocean waves, illustrating one of the most dangerous things people willingly or unwillingly did. Pulled a toddler out of a rip-tide and back to shore at the beach when I was a teenager.

Thank God I was a strong swimmer with water-safety and basic CPR/First Aid training!

Belle0516 , Kelli McClintock Report

Multa Nocte
Community Member
Premium
1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To the people who downvote Crystal just for being alive, shame on you and grow up.

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    #2

    I visited the US a few times.

    Wouldn’t do that now.

    ParsnipFlendercroft Report

    Billo66
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm stuck here. You know it's bad when I'm grateful to have cancer. Maybe I won't live to see the end of the sh­itshow.

    Multa Nocte
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Aw, honey, still thinking about you every day and hoping you are doing better. XXXOOO

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    Maya_D
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There are places there I would love to see but at the moment, and for the foreseeable future, absolutely not.

    Greymom
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Me either. Unfortunately I was born and raised here and leaving is not really a practical option at the moment.

    Beak Hookage
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Once I would have given anything to go back there for another visit. Now the mere idea of it scares the hell out of me.

    Ellie Vanille
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Unpopular opinion maybe, but I would visit. I would'nt live there right now, but I would like to visit for 2 or 3 weeks. Either New York (I want to visit MoMa) or the East Coast (Maine, etc.). Like in every country, even if the politics aren't great, the people one meets when travelling are usually very nice.

    Sue User
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wonder if Border Patrol ( or whomever) are checking people's posts on bored Panda or just the main social media sites. Yes, I heard they are checking social media sites when entering USA, but I don't know if it's everyone, random or targeted.

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    Jane Doe-Doe
    Community Member
    17 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Does anyone REALLY want to visit America at the moment?

    Earonn -
    Community Member
    10 minutes ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Plus, I hope the USA doesn't visit us. We have oil....

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    #3

    When I was in my 20s (f), my car broke down, I was far from home and I looked through my phone and mentally checked off all the people in there, literally over 300 #s, who would not help me. In my head, I couldn't imagine one of my "friends" coming to help me in any situation. 2 men showed up and asked if I needed help. In my desperation and angst for my parents to not find out my car was broken down, again, I accepted. They were very clearly old school GDs on the Southside of Chicago. After they looked at my car they said I needed parts and that they would drive me over to the auto parts store. I got into the car. Immediately after I got into the car, I panicked. I was sitting in the front seat and the friend was sitting behind me. I didn't let on that I was extremely anxious or that I knew I had made a mistake. I just kept my fingers on the door handle and hoped for the best.

    They took me to the auto parts store. They even bought the parts, because I'm an idiot 20 something F, with no brains or money. They brought me back to the car and put the parts on and wouldn't give me their phone numbers to pay them back. The only thing I know is that the drivers name was Terry. And that was top 3, the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me and I will never forget him. He told me that he hoped that if his daughter was ever in that situation, that a man would help her just the same. Looking back I'm grateful, but do not get into cars with strangers. Things could have ended very differently.

    hip_spanic Report

    Mel in Georgia
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Most people are inherently kind. We only hear about the stories that turn out badly.

    Multa Nocte
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I am more pessimistic, but I would agree that many people are kind, a small percentage are just plain nasty, and the rest don't care one way or another.

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    T Barth
    Community Member
    Premium
    23 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When I was young and stupid, I was far from home ( lived in the foothills of Cascade mountains) and in the city doing errands and I thought I would make it to a particular gas station and ran out of gas on Interstate 5. Am parked on the shoulder and with the hazards turned on, started walking to the next exit ramp with my trusty 1 gallon gas can in hand. Its dark out and cold and there's mass traffic whizzing by me. I had only walked about 100 yards from my car when a truck pulled over. This guy had seen me and obviously put 2 and 2 together, offered to give me a ride to gas station and back to my car. And stupid me took him up on his offer. However, to my credit, I told him that I needed something from car first and I ran back and quickly wrote on some paper my name and description and make/model of truck and left it on seat. We then left to get gas and he brought me back to my car. No easy feat on a freeway. He saw my note and said" have a daughter your age" etc.Yup, was lucky.

    Robert T
    Community Member
    21 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've been on the opposite side of this. Back when I lived in the city centre, I encountered a young girl (18-21) from out of town who was trying to find the student accomodation her friends lived in. She asked me for directions. It was miles away. She'd have had a good walk to the bus stop and then try to catch a bus not knowing where to get off. So I drove her in my car. She was either really dumb, or I must have looked trustworthy! I dropped her right outside the door.

    Kelly Scott
    Community Member
    21 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I was up on Loma Prieta with my telescope, where I'd been many times before. But this time I was alone, as my Doberman had just died. A car started to go by me, stopped, and backed up. I didn't know whether to jump in my truck and leave the scope or stay. Turns out the guy was an amateur astronomer like myself and gave me a cool tip on seeing a "red" star. Knowing what I know now, though, I'd probably choose to jump in my vehicle and lock the doors. I was young and dumb in those days.

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    As humans, we make decisions constantly, often without even realizing it. From choosing what to wear in the morning to deciding when to catch the bus, our brains are always at work. Some choices are tiny and forgettable. Others are big and life-shaping, like taking out a loan or changing careers. Researchers estimate that the average adult makes around 35,000 decisions every single day. That’s a lot of mental effort. No wonder our brains get tired. And when they do, mistakes are bound to happen.

    #4

    Combat Engineer here.


    I have found and disarmed 100s of IEDs (Improvised Esplosive Device). Used Metal detectors to find land mines. Used and handled detonation cord and C4.

    Kind-Scarcity1062 Report

    Strings
    Community Member
    23 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So... if you're running, we should all try to keep up

    Crystalwitch60
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Thank you for your service 🫡

    Multa Nocte
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 day ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When I was an on-call psychologist back when we had pagers, for some unknown reason my pager was one digit away from that of the chief of the local b‍o‍m‍b squad, which always made me want to answer the pager more quickly in case it was a misdialed call for him. Luckily at about that time there was a paging service you could subscribe to that would record and transcribe your pages, and they knew what to do in case there was a misdirected call.

    #5

    Group of people wearing helmets and life jackets rafting through dangerous whitewater rapids, showcasing risky activities. Flipped while white water rafting and got my head stuck under a rock under the water because of the helmet. My dad eventually grabbed my legs and pulled me out, my life flashed before my eyes and I almost drowned.

    Imaginary-Spirit-859 , azgek Report

    Mel in Georgia
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh yikes. The kind of death in my nightmares.

    Sue User
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Which is why I will not go white water rafting even though I would like to. Wish there were " bunny" river, you know, like skiing. Where it's just splashing enough to be funny. Guess that's what water parks are for.

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    Breadcrumb.
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You learned your lesson, no helmet next time. /s

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    #6

    Nighttime view of cars speeding on a busy urban bridge, illustrating one of the most dangerous things people willingly do. When I was 19 I went to a party with 3 girlfriends and 2 guys that were friends with one of the girls. One of the guys drove us there from south Brooklyn to Midtown Manhattan.

    This guy drove 100 mph on the Belt Pkwy and BQE cutting up traffic, inches away from other cars. I’ve never experienced anything like that. The pit I had in my stomach was literally screaming at me that I was going to die. Being a dumb 19 year old I just sat there and accepted my fate. Somehow we made it. I don’t know how or why we didn’t crash. The way he was driving was like something you’d see in a viral YouTube driving video straight out of Russia.

    I found an excuse to leave early and took a yellow cab home with one of the other girls. Uber wasn’t as big then. That was the most cozy and comfy $100 I ever spent.

    I’m 29 now and realize how stupid, dangerous, reckless, and just pure evil that kind of driving is.

    Superb-Steak4052 , Helena Lopes Report

    Mel in Georgia
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Somehow I was selected to drive someone else's manual drive sports car on New Year's Eve in the city and not because I hadn't had a drink. We got to our destination, but when I think back on it, I shake my head at how stupid I was.

    Sue User
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Now that I am older and speak my mind, I often wonder why I didn't when younger. Like OP I have done the " this is bad but I won't speak up" when I was younger.

    Gunný Petersen
    Community Member
    13 hours ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Been in the same situation. Going 180 km/hour in a neighbourhood. Thaught it was my last ride. I was not the driver.

    Apatheist
    Community Member
    23 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    On one lads night out, the one at the wheel of a 3 litre Capri decided to start doing doughnuts. I never go on roller coasters because I can't handle the G-force. We survived but I suppose it must have helped that we'd already had a couple of pints.

    Breadcrumb.
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I made a new friend at work and I love her but after that first hang out, never again is she allowed to drive. I'm always driving, even if it's her car. She accepts it, she knew what she done wrong.

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    Of course, not every decision we make is a good one. Some choices work out beautifully, while others leave us shaking our heads later. These are the decisions that make you replay the moment in your mind at 2 a.m. You wonder what you were thinking. You spot the red flags you somehow missed. Regret sneaks in quietly. We’ve all been there. Bad decisions are part of being human, even if they’re uncomfortable to admit.

    #7

    Firefighter in full gear battling intense flames surrounded by smoke illustrating dangerous things people willingly or unwillingly did. Firefighter.

    I was inside a laundromat that was on fire, and a ceiling full of dryer vents collapsed on me. Imagine being covered in red hot springs and burning wood. That was pretty concerning for a while. Lucky I had a good crew.

    gunmedic15 , tongpatong Report

    Bi.Felicia
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 day ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Thank goodness they made it out, okay, physically anyway.

    alchemilla vulgaris
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    These are the real heroes. the ones who save lives, often at significant to themselves. Not those who are sent away to shoot civilians for the profit of a few. Those are brave victims.

    Multa Nocte
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 day ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think I am afraid of being caught in a fire more than any other thing. When the local firefighters ("pompiers," although there are women on the force as well) come around door to door selling their calendars, I give them all the spare change we have accumulated over the year, although one time they made me stop because it was too heavy. 😆

    #8

    Back in my younger days I was a TV news videographer. One night there had been a reported shooting in a neighborhood and by the time I got there the cops had looked around, found nothing and were leaving. I still needed footage, but the cops told me that wasn't a good idea to go down those streets. Stupid me went ahead and went on in to get some kind of video so I wouldn't get in trouble with the assignment editor.

    I immediately ran into a group of really intimidating people who asking who the hell I was, then proceeded to want me to take video of them, they took me to where the shooting had occurred, pointed out bullet holes in a house and nearby car and really helped me out. In fact, if anything happened again in that area, they would call the newsroom and let them know they wanted me to come and get footage. A couple of them I still talk with all these years later. Even though it worked out for a d*****s like me, I wouldn't recommend anyone else being this foolhardy.

    orthonfromvenus Report

    ABC NrTen FCK CENSORISM
    Community Member
    1 day ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    The asterisked word is DUMBАSS, for those wondering. Fսck the censorism.

    Multa Nocte
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    ABC NrTen FCK CENSORISM, thank you for noting that, because I was going through all sorts of words to figure out what that was, and "du‍‍mb‍‍a‍s‍‍s" was not springing quickly to mind. And I agree - fu‍ck the censorship.

    JB
    Community Member
    19 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Despite the upvotes, his post is still "This comment is hidden..." Is this a new bs feature they're rolling out where if they don't like what you say, the hide it or make it so no one can reply?

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    #9

    When I (f) was in my early 20’s, I was walking home from work and I got in a car with five random guys in a convertible. I had to sit on the middle console. A cup pulled us over and asked what we were doing, they said “taking her home” he said “no you’re not, get in my car”, and the police officer took me home.

    BeautifulTomorrow103 Report

    Multa Nocte
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Now that's what the police SHOULD be doing.

    Brendon Nash
    Community Member
    Premium
    20 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Awesome job..nice to hear positive things

    Huddo's sister
    Community Member
    12 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    About six years ago a friend of mine got into a van with a couple of guys she just met, to play Pokemon Go. When we heard about it, a group of us all old her off, but at least it was genuine and she was okay.

    Jane Doe-Doe
    Community Member
    17 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A ‘cup’ pulled you over? 🤣

    emorinelli49
    Community Member
    18 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    WAY back in the day when we hippies hitchhiked everywhere, I would often go between my home and San Francisco to Los Angeles, with my dog. On almost every ride I would hear things like “I have 9 inches “from the driver. Here I am, on the road, dirty, with a dog and this guy wants to tell me about his 9 inches.

    Often, bad decisions start with bad comparisons. Our brains love to compare things because it feels efficient. We judge value based on what’s placed next to what. For example, you might buy an overpriced item because it looks cheaper compared to an even more expensive one. Or you accept a bad job offer because it seems better than your current situation. The comparison skews your judgment. Suddenly, a poor option feels like a smart choice. Context can trick us more than we realize.

    #10

    Close-up of a powerful pitbull dog sitting outdoors, illustrating one of the most dangerous things people willingly or unwillingly did. A friend managed a restaurant, and one of his employees went to prison. He knew the employee had a bunch of dogs and lived alone; none of employee’s friends/family would take care of the dogs in his absence. I was a naive, idealistic 20something female who did a lot of animal rescue and wanted to save the dogs from starvation, so I got the address and went. It was a very bad neighborhood. I didn’t bring anyone with me or carry any sort of protection, not even mace. There were a bunch of barking pit bulls in a fenced area behind his house, and this area was only accessible from inside the house. So I climbed on top of a trash can and hopped the fence to feed/water them. I did this every night for a couple of weeks until a family member stepped in and took the dogs. In retrospect, this could have ended very badly!

    WhyAreCatsSquishy , Sergio Arteaga Report

    Riley Quinn
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It certainly could've, but imagine how you'd feel knowing those poor innocent dogs were starving. That's all the motivation it would take for me to jump a fence in a bad neighborhood.

    Heffalump
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Or you could call animal control, because this is exactly what they are there for?

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    #11

    Dental procedure showing one of the most dangerous things people willingly or unwillingly did during treatment. I went to Afghanistan a couple times because my teeth hurt and I couldn't afford to fix them

    Edit: To put it differently, I enlisted into the military because I desperately needed dental care.

    FunWrangler666 , Natalia Blauth Report

    Mel in Georgia
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Free medical care, subsidized housing, discounted goods and services, free education ... for as conservative population as the military is, there's sure a lot of governmentally provided socialism available to them.

    Michael Largey
    Community Member
    22 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Socialism to many people is any government program that helps people they don't like.

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    Riley Quinn
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Just be thankful you made it back in one piece bc the government doesn't like, uhm what did Trump call troops who didn't come back as heroes? Oh, yeah, suckers and losers. That the US allows veterans to suffer with mental illness and physical disabilities and homelessness is too big a risk for dental work in my opinion.

    V
    Community Member
    1 day ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    For a country that venerates their armed forces they really do treat them like sht

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    Daisydaisy
    Community Member
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    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wow, that's a hell of a thing to have to do to get to see a dentist! Maybe something in the healthcare system needs tweaking?

    Multa Nocte
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It needs more than tweaking, it needs a major overhaul.

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    Old Wardog
    Community Member
    15 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I enlisted mainly because I was bored. I kinda miss it.

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    #12

    Driver holding steering wheel on rainy road at dusk with large trucks passing by, showing dangerous driving conditions. Drove while dangerously exhausted and zoned out realized I barely remembered the last few miles. Scared me more than anything extreme.

    sayma_1842 , Davyd Markovskyi Report

    Mel in Georgia
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Can confirm that fighting to stay awake while driving is terrifying. And stupid. And my husband tells a story about ending up off the side of the road after an overnight trip. Just pull over and nap!

    Riley Quinn
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You're right. It's stupid and terrifying. I know from experience. Driving fatigued is as dangerous as driving drunk.

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    Smeghead Tribble Down Under
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Fkn idiot. Lucky they didn't k**l someone else.

    Multitasking is another sneaky culprit behind bad decisions. We like to believe we’re great at doing many things at once. In reality, our attention is just bouncing around. Imagine replying to emails while cooking and making financial decisions at the same time. Something is bound to slip. Details get missed. Judgment gets rushed. When focus is divided, decision quality usually drops. Being busy doesn’t always mean being effective.

    #13

    Person skydiving with a colorful parachute against a clear blue sky, illustrating dangerous things people did. Night jump with the 82nd Airborne

    NODS’s went out before the jump

    My main parachute didn’t deploy and there I was free falling for what felt like for ever not knowing how my body was positioned to pull my emergency

    So I told myself “Mom & Dad I’m sorry”, I pulled my emergency. It became tangled a little bit but I was able to rustle myself free before hitting the ground

    2 ruptured discs, nerve damage in my Knee/Ankles/Hip, concussion & a dislocated shoulder……….oh and three years to fight the VA on “not service related”.

    Czarcasm1776 , William Warby Report

    Mel in Georgia
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    NODS - Night optical devices.

    Bi.Felicia
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Holy shît, that's crazy and thankfully they're alive. As a disabled veteran, I can truly sympathize and relate with their struggles and fighting the VA. It took me 6 years of fighting to get any type of service connected disability rating/benefits, followed by another 2+ years of fighting for the VA to deem me permanently and totally disabled. It can be a long and tedious battle, fighting with Veterans Affairs for benefits sometimes. I hope that they are happy and doing well in life.

    Multa Nocte
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The US Veterans Administration comes out looking worse and worse with every post. I knew a number of fellow psychologists who worked for the VA and the stories they told were a nightmare, almost all about veterans in need who could not get adequate services. Ironically, if the US sold off some of their war machines they could take care of a LOT of their people, but you know - war contractors have to make their bucks.

    Michael Largey
    Community Member
    22 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    People not getting the medical services they needed and were entitled too. Imagine that in America.

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    Lotekguy
    Community Member
    Premium
    15 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I really wish this story were more surprising than it is. Lots of veterans have been treated coldly and unfairly by the system, and politicians who claim to support the troops don't do anything to provide what they should get after their service has ended.

    #14

    Large crocodile with mouth wide open emerging from the water illustrating dangerous things people did willingly or unwillingly. Decided to try swimming in the Everglades(Florida swampland for those out of USA), within range of multiple crocodilians, and if it weren't for my dad saving me at 6yr old, I would probably be gator chow.

    I'm also banned from SeaWorld because at 7yrs old I jumped into a shark tank because "I wanted to pet the bite fish".

    DoomedTravelerofMoon , Simon Watkinson Report

    Bi.Felicia
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The 6 year old story I definitely can see happening, but getting banned from SeaWorld at 7, for jumping into a shark tank, seems a bit fishy to me. Honestly I would think that the tank wouldn't be easily accessible by the general public and who was the kid with, who was responsible for him? I've also never heard a 7 year old refer to a shark as a "bite fish?" Sounds like a croc of shît.

    meeeeeeeeeeee
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    eh, if this is true then this person has really s**t parents

    Upstaged75
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hey SD - there ARE crocodiles in the Everglades. Look it up. The American Crocodile.

    Jane Doe-Doe
    Community Member
    17 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think that most non Americans know what the Everglades are, most countries are taught geography outside their own countries!!

    Geoffrey Scott
    Community Member
    17 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Went canoeing and swimming in a river in the Florida panhandle. Water moccasins, copperheads and yes, gators are a thing there. Was in my 20's in a group of 5 or 6. We got real lucky.

    SD
    Community Member
    1 day ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    In Florida everglades you wouldn’t have crocodiles which aren’t native to that area. They were most likely alligators. Just as deadly though.

    #15

    Cars driving at night on a dark highway lit by streetlights, illustrating dangerous situations people willingly or unwillingly faced. Had a an event that ran late so had to drive solo to a rave a couple of my friends went to. It was about an hour and half drive from our school.

    Rave finished up and we didn't have anywhere to stay or meet anyone so me and another 2 people decided to head back to school. I was driving by myself and I had been responsible in terms of not drinking but I had also only slept like 2hrs the night before finishing an assignment.

    Fell asleep at the wheel for a minute or two. Woke up to the other car blaring their horn and my cellphone ringing.

    Apparently had drifted across multiple lanes. Really lucky I didn't crash. Sleep deprivation and driving is stupid

    I have done a lot of dangerous things like sky diving, white water rafting in inadequate vessels, jumping cliffs on skis, etc. That was still the most dangerous thing.

    lonewolf210 , Brecht Denil Report

    Riley Quinn
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've stupidly driven while exhausted, but there's a big difference in doing dangerous things that put your life at peril and dragging innocent victims into it. I pulled onto the shoulder with my hazard lights on and took a nap bc my life wasn't the only one to consider.

    Then there’s decision fatigue. Making choices all day slowly drains your mental energy. By the time evening rolls around, even small decisions feel overwhelming. That’s when impulse takes over. You order takeout instead of cooking. You agree to things you normally wouldn’t. Your brain just wants relief. Decision fatigue doesn’t mean you’re weak. It means your brain is tired from working nonstop. And tired brains don’t always choose wisely.

    #16

    Scuba diver underwater near coral reef, illustrating one of the most dangerous things people willingly or unwillingly did. I knowingly penetrated a shipwreck on less than a quarter of my air supply while scuba diving. Our Dive Master didn’t clarify my danger signal and signalled me with the OK, so I thought it was going to be a very quick tour and I was being overly anxious.

    I ran out of air in the control deck by myself and had to swim a mud-occluded hallway to find him in the main hold of the ship so I could Buddy breathe on our ascent. We had to do a 5 minute decompression at 5 meters and I had to watch his BAR drop as we both drank from his tanks. I wasn’t scared going in, but I had to work really hard to take calm breaths for the whole ascent out of the wreck. Very stupid on my part to not listen to my own training and surface before penetration.

    azeldatothepast , Biorock Indonesia Report

    Mel in Georgia
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My weight belt dropped on a group drift dive (strong currents driving us along). Luckily I was next to a wall and desperately grabbed on to prevent a dangerous quick ascent until my husband noticed my distress and grabbed me. We were in the back of the group and there was no dive master behind us. Worst diving experience ever. Always go with a reputable, A+ PADI rated dive center.

    Sue User
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hat's off to you. I couldn't even snorkel in the Bahamas. Terrified of drowning. And I was a strong swimmer and once was a lifeguard.

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    Smeghead Tribble Down Under
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not enough money or chocolate bribes in the world to get me to do anything underwater.

    #17

    I used to hitchhike almost every day as a teenager. I was a reasonably attractive skinny girl. I’m amazed I lived through my teens.

    beavertoothtiger Report

    Mel in Georgia
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My friend and I, 2 young women, traveled across the US in the early 80s. No cell phones, camped out, relied on strangers' generosity at times ... can't imagine doing this now. At least we weren't hitchhiking!

    Multa Nocte
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yeah, when I lived in SLC, Utah, I moved to San Francisco (California) one summer and picked up hitchhikers along the way. I also used to hitchhike when I was a bit younger in SLC and let's see, who else used to live in SLC about that time? Oh yes, that would be Ted Bundy.

    Huddo's sister
    Community Member
    12 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My mum did this a lot in the 70s. She also picked up hichhikers, which always terrified me as a kid who was also in the car (though apparently one was our neighbour she knew, but I didn't realise).

    #18

    Massive explosion with fire and smoke showing one of the most dangerous things people willingly or unwillingly did. I have several, but this one was dumb. Friend had a body shop. We took a huge balloon and filled it with acetylene wrapped it in newspapers and stuffed it in a cardboard box. Went behind a shopping mall theater and lit it. Btw, I worked there. The resulting explosion shook the building so hard that one of the sinks fell off the wall. The cop who was security there came flying out and was all excited and wanted to know how we did it. Then he remembered he was a cop and told us not to do that again. Our ears were ringing so loud that he was hard to hear. It was days before I got my hearing back. Yes, I’m GenX.

    GypsyRN9 , Jeff Kingma Report

    Forrest Hobbs
    Community Member
    1 day ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    No. That is not how you do it. Acetylene in a balloon set off like that will just burn - burn fast, burn scary, but it (probably) won't go bang. What you have to do is fill a container with a stoichiometric mix of acetylene and oxygen (easily obtainable if you've got oxy-acetylene welding gear) and *THAT* is what gives you the big bang. A school chemistry teacher showed us one day - class demonstration, although outdoors. I too am Gen X. Oh yes, and I set a similar thing off myself two or three years later. Do not do as we did. No matter how much of a laugh you think it is, setting off explosions these days will bring the law down on your head like a ton of bricks - térrorism legislation and all that. It's one reason I'm giving no details on *how*...

    ABC NrTen FCK CENSORISM
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    ikr? It won't go bang without the proper packaging, a bit of newspaper and cardboard box wrapped around a balloon won't contain it enough for that effect.

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    Scott Rackley
    Community Member
    1 day ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    My uncle is a welder and he had a crazy story. Shop had a bunch of 8 inch iron pipe on the shop floor. Unc's coworker sees a rat run into one of the pipes. Decides to take it out with acetylene, so pumps some into the pipe and strikes a match. Don't know what he expected but he made a rat cannon. Rats at sufficient velocity can break cinder blocks.

    ABC NrTen FCK CENSORISM
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I didn't expect to read that last sentence today. Learn something new every day, I guess. 🤣

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    Past experiences also shape how we decide, sometimes in unhelpful ways. A bad experience can leave a strong emotional mark. If something went wrong before, your brain tries to protect you from repeating it. But that fear can cloud judgment. You might avoid good opportunities because they resemble past failures. Or you overcorrect and take unnecessary risks. Our memories don’t just inform decisions. They influence them emotionally, too.

    #19

    I tried swimming through an underwater cave at dusk. It would have been dangerous during the day but it was almost impossible to see the tunnel path.

    BobStockdon Report

    ƒιѕн
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I didn't know caves were lit up better during the daytime.

    Michael Largey
    Community Member
    22 hours ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You can see the light coming in the exit if you're close enough during the day.

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    Geoffrey Scott
    Community Member
    17 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Lots of 'used to be' spring divers in Fla.

    #20

    Helicopter Underwater Evacuation Course.

    I've done the course a few times, it's a job requirement. The first time I did it, I almost drowned.

    The helicopter went in the water, flipped upside down, and I couldn't undo the seat belt, I signalled to the instructor, he gave it a quick go but couldn't either. He went straight to the seat release, which he couldn't undo so went back to the surface to signal the other instructors. The entire rig was hoisted out the water with me still in the seat. The entire process was probably around 30 seconds but I've never felt closer to death in my life.

    The_Molemans_bawbag Report

    Upstaged75
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    One of my coworkers was a helicopter pilot in the Navy and she talked about this one. It sounds horrifying.

    #21

    Old car parked near abandoned buildings, illustrating one of the most dangerous things people willingly or unwillingly did. Chased a tornado in a ‘87 Ford Escort.

    rf8350 , KoolShooters Report

    Mel in Georgia
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not so scary - you'd never catch it!

    Forrest Hobbs
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Mel in Georgia: '87 RS Turbo Ford Escorts were fairly rapid. And even the lower power models could go round corners properly.

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    Douglas Gold
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm not sure if 'chased' is the right word to use here

    Michael Largey
    Community Member
    22 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Better than the tornado chasing me.

    Spark
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Did your car radio play some heavy metal or what? :)

    Bi.Felicia
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wonder how close that '87 Ford Escort got them to that tornado?

    Finally, individual differences matter more than we think. Personality, stress levels, upbringing, and even sleep all affect how we decide. Some people are naturally cautious. Others are more impulsive. Neither is always right or wrong. What matters is awareness. Understanding how your own brain works helps you pause before reacting. Better decisions often start with knowing yourself. And that’s something worth practicing every day.

    #22

    I flew below the rim of the Grand Canyon once. That's almost certainly illegal but I didn't check. YOLO!

    I crash landed a plane in a farmer's field and walked away. (different flight)

    Scuba diving I got turned around and went below the recreational dive limit (130 feet). That one was dicey.

    Got stuck in a blizzard in Canada at -40C and walked a couple miles towards the highway before I got tired and decided to lay down for a nap (farmer pulled me out of the the ditch and defrosted me).

    Weirdly still alive. I still have all my toes too.

    LankyGuitar6528 Report

    Mel in Georgia
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is one lucky, stupid person.

    Multa Nocte
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I was flying from Phoenix (Arizona) to Salt Lake City (Utah) once and as we went over the Grand Canyon, it seemed to get closer and closer and closer. I asked my seat mate about it, who confirmed it seemed a little closer than one might expect, when the captain came on the overhead and said the indicator light went out that shows whether the area where the animals on board were had enough oxygen, so they had to stay at a lower altitude and turn around and fly back to Phoenix to get the equipment checked. I was nervous, but at the same time was glad that the crew actually followed the procedures about trying to make sure that the animals being transported were being taken care of. On the other hand, I guess something horrible could have happened and that was just the story they told us. I prefer to hope it was true, however.

    Beak Hookage
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Is this person related to Aron Ralston? (The 127 Hours guy. I read the book and Ralston had been taking stupidly big risks for years before his luck finally ran out).

    Michael Largey
    Community Member
    22 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    -40C? Think how cold it would have been if it was -40F!

    Brendon Nash
    Community Member
    Premium
    20 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Stupid is what stupid do

    #23

    Nurse here. I used to work at a Level 1 trauma center in a city in the ICU. I had a patient who was affiliated with a gang and his brother came in to visit during my first shift with the patient. Patient wasn’t going to recover and the brother refused to believe it. While I was alone in the room with the patient and the brother, the brother started telling me “you better f*****g save him or I’ll slice your throat.” I was so burned out and depressed working this job that my response was “you know what? You’d be doing me a favor. I get off work at 7:30 tonight. I drive (this color car) and (this sticker) is on my rear windshield. I’m parked in (this garage) at the intersection of (this street and this street) on the 3rd level. I’ll see you then.” Management freaked out when they heard what I did and said and insisted I have security drive me to my vehicle after work. I said “nope. He won’t show.” And he didn’t.

    I also was going on a first date with someone after that shift. I texted him about an hour before the end of my shift and said “hey, if I don’t show, I didn’t ghost you. I’m probably dead.” And when I got to said date, he was very intrigued to hear the story behind that text.

    deadheadramblinrose Report

    #24

    Person wearing brown boots and a coat carefully walking on a snowy log over frozen water, showcasing dangerous things people did. Grew up on a dairy farm. I walked across the cow pond one afternoon in early March. Very little snow, maybe 35 out. Lucky I didn't break the ice.

    AdministrativePut801 , EyeEm Report

    Riley Quinn
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Growing up in a farm community, we did a lot of stupid, dangerous stuff, but the parents reinforced so adamantly to never trust ice after a warm period that none of us did. Probably the only time a group of kids actually obeyed the rules in unison.

    Chicken Mitten
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Anytime I drive through a rural farm area, I always think of all the dangerous equipment and how long it would take to get an ambulance to a remote area. Scary.

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    Geoffrey Scott
    Community Member
    17 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Buddy of mine and I were about 10 yo Was a quarry(or at least a deep pit) near the house and we went across the ice...for a minute. Broke through, of course had on heavy winter clothes and we struggled to get out and did. As an adult, I see cars, and trucks out on the lakes. Nope, don't care if the ice is 4' thick, not gonna happen.

    In life, it’s important to pause and think before making decisions, rather than rushing on autopilot. Taking a moment to reflect helps you weigh the options, consider the consequences, and separate impulse from logic. To make better choices, we must slow down, stay mindful of our emotions, and look at the bigger picture. It’s not about overthinking every little thing, but about giving yourself the space to decide intentionally, rather than letting habits or pressure dictate your actions.

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    #25

    Technician working with tangled network cables and devices, illustrating dangerous things people willingly or unwillingly did. Worked on live electric circuits. It's one of those things where if you get shocked it's like 80-90% of the time, you're fine. But that other time is where it can cause fibrillation, which can often be minor enough to not notice until you go into cardiac arrest.

    No matter what the old sparkies tell you, don't work on live circuits without proper PPE.

    eaglescout1984 , Getty Images Report

    Forrest Hobbs
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Old sparkies tell you to take multiple precautions to 1) ensure the circuit is off and 2) test to really make sure it's off and 3) take other precautions to make sure it's not going to be accidentally turned back on.

    Unicorn
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The earth-leak trip saved my life, but I certainly understand why it's called electric shock. Took me a good half hour to calm down.

    #26

    Ignored an ulcer until I needed a blood transfusion.

    Mental-Coconut-7854 Report

    #27

    This isn’t nearly as crazy as the other stories on this thread, but i dated an a*****e narcissist. can’t tell you how many times i’d had a gun or knife held to me while he was in a drunken/high stupor. it’s been 8 years since i left and i’m still working through all the mental and physical gymnastics he put me through.

    huntertho Report

    Ann Morgan
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Keep working and walking. Applaus for getting out of that relationship!

    #28

    Cleared for Visual Flight Rules, I accidently flew into cloud in a Cessna 172 shortly after takeoff from a busy International Airport.

    It was an instant and complete white out. (Imagine going down the highway in your car at 80 mph and driving into a solid fog bank wall. Except that you're in the air)

    I couldn't even see the propeller in front of me.

    My mind convinced me that I was still holding the plane straight and level as I strained to see any break whatsoever in the clouds ahead.

    It was maybe only one or two minutes before I heard the sound of the engine oddly accelerating.

    I broke my attention from the windows to look down at the instrument panel which was telling me that I was in a 30 degree banked dive. Despite no formal IFR training, I forced myself to trust the instruments instead of what my head and body were telling me, and managed to bring the wings back to level.

    Just as the tower was calling me to ask if "everything was, um, OK up there?", I spotted a hole in the clouds and the the color of lush green fields below. I pointed the plane towards it and popped right out.

    Shaken, I requested clearance to land, making for a very short trip. I learned a valuable lesson about weather flying.

    I learned later that the average VFR pilot lasts 90 seconds after flying into cloud before k*****g themselves.

    Mobile_Cloud2294 Report

    Mel in Georgia
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Always trust your instruments. We're not really made to operate in an unrestricted 3-D environment.

    Sue User
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    With all the technology, why can't we have a 3d picture of plane versus surrounding.

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    ABC NrTen FCK CENSORISM
    Community Member
    1 day ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    KІLLING, BP. Before KІLLING themselves. FՍCK YOUR STUPID CENSORIST BULLSHІT.

    John Dilligaf
    Community Member
    20 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I can beat that for sheer stupidity on my part. You accidentally flew into cloud in a Cessna 172; I purposely flew into cloud in a Cessna 172. It was one of my first solo flights just after getting my license and I just wanted to see what it was like to fly in a cloud. I picked a medium sized cloud and just flew right in. Looking back, yea, pretty stupid.

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    #29

    Cycled in London. I thought I was being sporty, frugal, efficient. It was cheaper, nicer, sportier, healthier. Lost a leg and nearly my life.

    Cherry_Darling Report

    Forrest Hobbs
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Daniel Atkins: missing lots of details. I've cycled in London quite a lot. On a bike, you're a vulnerable road user so you need to take special care. Mind you, taking all possible precautions doesn't ensure perfect safety and there are parts of London I absolutely would NOT take a bicycle. Hanger Lane Gyratory System for one. Just sayin'.

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    Glix Drap
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Must be hopping mad since that happened.

    Michael Largey
    Community Member
    22 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've got nothing against the OP's remaining leg. Unfortunately, neither does he.

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    AC
    Community Member
    22 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yeah cars and buses dont care about cyclists in London

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    #30

    Swam in a river with a quick current. Wasn’t until later we realized we were close to the dam drop off.

    Objective-Middle-676 Report

    Geoffrey Scott
    Community Member
    17 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Just in the 30 or so years we've lived here, 4 or 5 people have broke through the ice in winter and been found MILES downstream in the spring. Just 'cause there's ice, you don't step on it near moving water.

    Note: this post originally had 48 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.