speculatrix:

I think the trick to surviving as a 'red shirt' is to avoid 'away missions' as much as possible, so as to keep a 'low profile'. If you simply *have* to go, then no more "I will just go over there by myself to investigate that strange sensor reading on my tricorder". That is simply *asking* for trouble! And make sure your phaser is set to 'kill' (not 'stun'), and have your finger on the 'fire' button, just in case!