No, it means that you can try to manipulate the circumstances in a way (move out of the harms way, putting your buddy between you and the source, etc.) that gives you a chance to live another day. If you don't have someone near you, you can't use the talent. If you have someone - you can try, but there is no guarantee that you will succeed as there is roll involved. Interesting talent that can generate a lot of tension between you and the other characters