It is interesting to see the tussles between pilots on this thread and shows the differences in training. I suspect that DFC is ex military - certainly his comments reflect my own experience (I am not military but fly with ex military pilots and crew). Military pilots have a much better handle on the risks that flying may present than do civvy pilots. They are also much better at thinking ahead, risk assessing and updating plan b. So in that context I think DFCs comments are valid. I can understand the stance taken by IO540 and one or two others, but reading between the lines, these guys are flying several hundred hours a year and are very current at class G IFR flying. But they are not representative of the average private flyer.
So back to the original post, for the average ppl by far the best option is to recognise the warning signs and turn back early. No IMC, no landing in a field, no fancy aerobatic turns. What is it they say about good pilots? Something about never getting into the position where they have to demonstrate their superior skills.