Operating under the assumption that there are no dumb questions, just dumb questioners who want to get smarter, I need to backtrack a little on the split rim thing.
What exactly is a split rim? Sounds like a 2-piece assembly that bolts together, thus requiring tube tires? How can I identify a split rim vs. a "conventional" one? I'm guessing my '65 Caravel with baby moon hubcaps has split rims, and suspect I might want to replace them, and likely the tires as well. Sounds like flats would be impossible to repair yourself, if they're that dangerous to work on.
Speaking of repairing flats, which would be easier to repair on the road - tubeless tires or tube tires on a non-split rim? If you have tubeless tires, can you find the puncture, remove the nail or cactus needle*, insert a plug and re-inflate, without removing the tire from the rim? Can you just put a tube into a tubeless tire (again without removing from the rim) and use it as a temporary fix?
*(thinking of Baja here)