Guild Wars 2

I find myself the target of random damage that just about one shots me a lot. The first boss in the 40 and 45 level dungeons one shots me at least 2 or 3 times without telegraphing the damage. The snipers 1 or 2 shot me. The bosses often kill me in a hit if I’m below 85%.
I am using air and water CDs every time they are up to blind and put distance between us, as well as stance dancing in shields and blinds but it just seems like there is to much damage in a single shot.
I see people saying they are the last to die, but when I play people just say "get used to death you ele’s are always getting one shotted " while they Res me . Are you guys playing way below your level?

Tldr : subject question …

Make a 2nd set of gear with Vit/Toughness.
Then pray to take less damage, though we have the lowest HP pool I think, so it might just be better to have 1 person in your group ready to rezz you and go for damage.

I have been trying to go staff and stay as far back as I can. Now that I’m 45 it keeps me from getting one shot in AC story. But now that I am moving up, it seems like they have shots meant to take out my defenses specifically. (The snipers have a 4 shot attack, all my shields last for 3 shots, the bot in the beginning shoots 4 missiles not 3, his AoE lasts 7 seconds not 5….)
I like the focus off hand stuff, I think I am going to dump everything I can in earth and got D/F. I am not sure how it will work out being that much closer, but I am hoping that the defense it gives will work as a better trade off.
Its embarrassing dying every pull to be res’d only to die again right away.
What are the standard set of traits to carry for a D/F Ele? Something to start with and maybe personalize from there?