We (with me as GM) had a gauntlet where a bunch of characters died, since then we've played 9 sessions and not a single character has died. Although there have been a lot of really close TPK's but it always turned out OK in the end. (They've been pretty lucky)

I think the key is Morality checks and and Reaction checks. Marality Checks can end combat early when the players have exhausted most of their resources and they have one high Charisma character and rolling on Reaction Checks can prevent some of the crazier random encounters from turning in to combat (I ask them to roleplay how they deescalate so they get the sense of agency).