I've been having a problem with my companions recently, it's really... weird? Basically when roaming the wastes I'll be checking some ammo boxes or what ever, not paying attention to my buddy then when I turn around he's gone. After a few seconds of my spinning in a circle looking for them I get the message that they have died. This has happened twice so far, first with Jericho then with Butch. Once I got Butch it said that Jericho returned to Megaton (even though I blew it up and he 'died'). I'm too worried to go get another companion out of fear this will happen again. Does anyone know what's wrong? :cryvaultboy:
EDIT: I've never seen their bodies or watch them die.

Not a glitch. Sometimes they'll wonder off because they were spooked by something. Then somehow gotten themselves killed. Happens to dogmeat a-lot. Get Fawkes; he is easily seen, can take a crap load of mini-nukes and can take on 3 Behemoths.

Okay thanks. It's still really weird to lose track of them for one second and then they die. but what about the message about Jericho reappearring in Megaton? I'd check but I blew it up :nuke:

If you want to keep other followers alive its best to give them good armour and a decent weapon. Without these they can easily die against just about anything. Like mentioned fawkes is very good but if you sneak a lot its best to get Charon. As you rank up though certain followers will be god like strong to the point that its hard to kill them yourself.

That messege about Jericho is a glitch, I do remember another member saying they had the same messege pop up with RL-3 even though the robot had died.

I've noticed a few times when i lose track of one of my allies if i just retrace my steps i often find the white tick mark that says where they are, most of the time it's not really them wandering off they just have a difficult time following exactly behind me so they try to find a different way to get to you, it mostly happened when i drop off of rocks or go into narrow spaces bewteen trees or rocks, most of the time Dogmeat can follow easily but Fawkes will need to find an alternate route.