The tasks given to Damien weren't all life-threatening things.
Actually, the trials weren't always meant to be life-threatening.
The Gehenna Tribe was made up of a variety of peoples. Some of them had incredibly unique trades, while some worked in more common occupations that contributed to the well-being of the tribe.
Regardless, everyone had a role. When they all came together, they formed an amazingly functional society.
The trials Damien was to undergo weren't special to him. Rather, every youth who was set to enter Gehenna had to do them.
However, they already had their roles.
Their trials would be within the role they'd chosen.
They would still be extremely complex and difficult, but not every youth had to risk their life in the jungle to earn the privilege to enter Gehenna.
That was the job of hunters.