I checked with my friend (since I don't play in that game). Apparently his character did end up living because of the Hero Point. Every player saves their Hero Point just to stabilize. I don't know the frequency (probably as suggested, if I know the GM).How are Hero Points being awarded and spent?
It just hits me funny that this supposably well-balanced system is survivable only with "get out of death free" metacurrency. No one makes the claim that Savage Worlds is balanced, so we don't blink about Bennies in that system.