There's two types of survival mechanisms:

1) How to not die *most* of the time.
2) How to never die.

I assume you don't need to *never* die - you just want reasonable protection, so here are some suggestions:

1) Build a hiding spot list. When I have to go AFK for a couple of minutes to smoke or something like that, I don't just log out or leave myself out in the open. I have hiding spots on every continent, near every town most of which have qualities like - airforms can't see me, I can't be gaunted, there's no real reason for people to pass through. Underwater is good for most of the above - there's very many underwater rooms in non-underwater areas that almost no one has any reason to go to. As a result I can go AFK quite often and not die.

2) Know who is around. I'll change my tactics if some types of thief/assassin/ranger types are around.

3) Consider being a hiding type. It's pretty hard to condie a transmuter, ranger, thief or assassin that isn't out constantly looking to brawl. Have a good idea of who is around that can see you and if they're trying to follow you around for some reason assume they are hunting you.

4) Carry teleport/word of recall on you at all times. Ragers is not a cabal for people who don't want to con-die. Learn where you can at least get teleport for free and save word of recall for when you really need it.

5) Avoid eastern road. In all seriousness, avoid it, if there's another equally easy way to get somewhere. The hunting sphere of death is north road, Galadon, eastern road, Hamsah, Weald, East Dairien (by the Inn), the fields north of the crossroads and Tar Valon (or whatever that city is called now). Don't hang around those places afk. Don't hang out in Galadon at all. Don't hang around your cabal. Basically, if you don't have a group, don't just randomly hang out in the open. I don't get gaunted because I go underwater a couple of times to piss the conjurer off losing their gaunt then they stop trying to gaunt me. Cabals like fortress are sort of really, really bad to hang out in by yourself due to the lack of summoning protection and lack of distance where you can see enemies approaching. Hanging out in the Fortress is just asking for a group to walk up and summon you out and bash you to death.

6) If you didn't start the fight, flee. If you're not planning on fighting, set your wimpy to 50%. Set an alias to quaff teleport and use it if you can't outrun your enemy.

7) If they are not your ally they are your enemy. Don't do something like walk into a room with a bard you don't know, or a necromancer you don't know. Assume everyone who isn't your friend is trying to kill you. That's pretty accurate most of the time.