OBE is the most reported and documented type of astral projection.

When the consciousness leaves the body in this fashion it is virtually always in the here/now plane and close to the physical body.

One example of this is the familiar case where a patient on an operating table will often be able to see and hear the entire operation from a vantage point above the table and surgeons. Here the consciousness has left the physical body, but will remain close. The person in this situation has probably never experienced this before, and will not tell the non-physical body where to go - therefore it will stay close to the physical.

Another example of this kind of projection often occurs when an accident abruptly halts the physical body. Eg. a car or bike accident, where the physical body suddenly comes to a stop. The non-physical body will often carry on in the direction it was going. Hovwever, once again due to lack of other direction the non-physical body will stay close to the physical. This type of sudden halt projection can also be caused by falling off a ladder, falling in the street, fainting, etc.

In all of these cases the projection of the non-physical body is not a conscious choice, and the physical body is unconscious for the duration of the experience.

Although usually confused, anyone experiencing an OBE should not be afraid, it is a natural process - no harm will come to you, and the non-physical body will always return to the physical

We all have a conscious self and an astral self and we all astral travel every night.  We just need to learn to get over our fears so we can relax and become aware when we are doing it. 

 We recall our dreams sometimes, yet have difficulty recalling the astral experience.  The dream is the remembrance of the astral experience. The dream is like a movie our astral body is watching.  This is why we often times can't see ourselves in dreams, yet we are aware we are a part of it. 

Resolving our fears is an important step towards becomming aware of our astral experience.  No you won't get lost from your body, no someone else won't take over your body, and no there aren't demons lurking about.  Our fears can influence our experience.  Remember there is nothing to fear, but fear its self.