So I just finished reading the A & I thread that I come visit every month or two just to make sure I'm not listed and I read something that checked my shorts in a hitch.

Why do people say, "Walk-off is better than rap?" when rap is the one that kills you and walk is something you've done since you were 1 year old?

I know that military and law enforcement drill, drill and drill again for worst case scenario. I rap from anchors every time I climb and I accept the risks. I have established a sort of mental script that has watched over me well. I always tie the ends of the rope together for instance...

Anywho...

What's your take? Do the safest thing you can?

Practice the lethal thing so that you are ready for it when and if the time comes you *have* to use it?

NOTE: I'm not looking for a holy war on which method is better. Instead I'm wondering what approach you as an individual values more? I always have trained for worse case when I climb (Don't be pedantic here. I've not listed my whole rap routine and if I did I'm certainly not going to say it's fool-proof as frankly I write in the presence of many whom I'm not even worthy to belay much less argue fine points with.)

So if given the choice do you rappel (to stay in practice) or do you walk (because it's safer)?