Dying in Alaska (to live, law, cabin)

[The Homogenizer]

The people who live off the grid or in those towns on the Discovery channel, how do those people die? Does the law scoop them up and they rot until the end in a hospital, or do they typically die with their boots on?

[RayinAK]

No idea how those people die, but I can only imagine that they die like that old fellow in Robert Redford's movie, "Jeremiah Johnson." The fellow I am referring to broke a leg or something and could not walk out of the wilderness. He just sat down on a stomp and wrote a note about his rifle, which he was giving away to whoever found him dead. He just froze to death sitting on the stomp, and Jeremiah had to pry the rifle out of the old fellow's frozen hands. I imagine that some Alaskans found frozen like that would be holding a can of beer, or maybe a joint or something, while some others would be found frozen with a cell phone in their hand and a finger on texting mode.

[The Homogenizer]

Originally Posted by RayinAK

No idea how those people die, but I can only imagine that they die like that old fellow in Robert Redford's movie, "Jeremiah Johnson." The fellow I am referring to broke a leg or something and could not walk out of the wilderness. He just sat down on a stomp and wrote a note about his rifle, which he was giving away to whoever found him dead. He just froze to death sitting on the stomp, and Jeremiah had to pry the rifle out of the old fellow's frozen hands. I imagine that some Alaskans found frozen like that would be holding a can of beer, or maybe a joint or something.

Hatchet Jack.

[Moose Whisperer]

Originally Posted by The Homogenizer

The people who live off the grid or in those towns on the Discovery channel, how do those people die? Does the law scoop them up and they rot until the end in a hospital, or do they typically die with their boots on?

I'd imagine it looks something like this:

[The Homogenizer]

I'm sure that it's a hoot to die in the wilderness, but I'm wondering about dying from cancer or heart disease out there. Do people bother you, or do you just go about your business in peace, relatively speaking, until you drop?

[warptman]

Originally Posted by The Homogenizer

I'm sure that it's a hoot to die in the wilderness, but I'm wondering about dying from cancer or heart disease out there. Do people bother you, or do you just go about your business in peace, relatively speaking, until you drop?

They do have hospitals in Alaska. I'm not sure you're aware of it. You need to get out more often.

[The Homogenizer]

Originally Posted by warptman

They do have hospitals in Alaska. I'm not sure you're aware of it. You need to get out more often.

I'm certain that Alaskans have reading comprehension also, but that doesn't mean that you have to use it, obviously.

The question, however, is related to being bothered by others. If I stepped onto my porch here and was obviously ill, I would certainly have an ambulance at my door in minutes because some busybody would intervene, and the state might move to take away my freedom of choice-- religious zealots, no doubt.

I've been considering Alaska as a final stop. I'm not near death, but if it's my last stop, I want to make sure that I'm going to die the way I want: free of annoyance.

[brokencrayola]

I am guessing there are people that get hurt in the woods and die because they cannot get to any help. There are probably some that die of hypothermia, or get killed by an animal. I would guess there are plent of people that have died by themselves in some remote place and found at some point. As far as cancer or something that does kill you instantly, there are hospitals. There are always people that refuse treatment (like chemo) and wish to live out their last days where they are comfortable and happy.

[The Homogenizer]

Thanks for the info.

[True Hivernant]

I lived out in the bush for 17 years and found two of my nieghbors dead during winter those years. One was 62yoa and died of a heartattack while sitting on his couch one evening after spending the day cutting firewood at -25F. I found him two days later when I dropped by to deliver his mail. Pulled up to the cabin and immediately new something was wrong as no fresh footprints in the snow and no smoke from the chimney. He was frozen solid as the temp had dropped to -35F. The second nieghbor, I found dead on the frozen river next to his snowmachine and sled that was loaded with firewood. He was 56yoa, high bp, etc, and had a fatal stroke.

I had a pulmonary embolism 3 years ago, nearly died from it. Took 7+ hours to get me out of the bush by atv, jetboat, ambulance and medivac to Anc.