What would YOU do if.....
51
WWYD?
The Question:
The other day my kids and I were watching the news. There was a story about flooding in another part of the country, they showed a video of people stuck on top of their vehicle, the video was being shot via cellphone. In the video you could see other people coming into the picture to try and save the people stranded on their car.
My ten year old asked me, "Mom, why was that person taking a video? Why weren't they helping the people stuck on their car?" I thought that was a very poignant question. Although I believe it's morally and politically incorrect to ask such a question, I wanted to know how YOU would answer that question.
I answered by saying, "The person with the cellphone is an onlooker. Most citizens do not have the tools or the know-how to jump into high, rapid waters and save someone, it takes special skills to save a life." But I think it was still difficult for my kids to understand.
My question is, if you saw someone in this same predicament, stuck on top of their vehicle in quickly rising waters, what would YOU do?
My Answer:
My kids asked me what I would do and I responded with this, "I wouldn't risk my own life if I truly, honestly did not think I would make it out alive, but would I do everything in my power to assist them? Absolutely. And of course if I could foresee actually living through a major ordeal, and saving a life, I wouldn't think twice." I absolutely love to help others, that's what I've done most of my life as often as possible. But, not knowing the person stranded or anything about their life, and looking at my possible death, should I jeopardize my life? Should I not think about my own life and children first?
What would YOU do?.......
- If you saw two of your own children drowning but only had the time or the means to save one, what would you do?
- If you had to run into a burning building to save your children but only had time to save one, would you choose your own child over a step-child or would you choose the one closest to safety?
- If another sick child received your sick child's medication on accident, but was miraculously healed, while your child suffered, what would you do?
- If one of your children and their elderly grandmother were stuck on top of a car during a flood, or trapped in a burning building...which one would you save if you could only save one of them? Why?
- If you, your own mother, and your child were trapped in a iron mine an entire mile below earth's surface and there were only two oxygen masks...which two of you would use them? Why?
- If your elderly parents were both trapped in a burning building and you could only save one...what would you do? What if they've made it clear that they would want to "go" together? They've been married 65 years and one couldn't live without the other....???
- If your child and your nephew were both drowning and you were the only person there with them, who would you save first? Why?
All emotions aside, I hope ya'll don't think I'm insensitive or cruel by asking these questions. I was asked some of these by my children and I truly wanted to know how other parents, family, friends out there would answer them. I'm certainly not always right (don't tell anyone), please enlighten me with your advice and opinions on the subject. Thank you:)
PrintShare it! — Rate it: up down flag this hub
Comments
Thanks froggy:) lol...I know these are tough to answer! Thanks for reading hon, I'll be waiting for the rest of your answers:) just kidding. I do want your answers but I won't be around for most of the day today. I suppose Mother's Day is the reason it's so quiet in here..lol
Those are some very tough questions. I hope to never be in any of those situations. I would think that the response would be a decision made at that time. Very difficult but great questions.
1. If I had seen 2 of my children drowning and could only save on? Both of them would take swimming classes when they were small so that they knew the basics of treading water and how to stay afloat this would hopefully eliminate both of them from drowning. But If I had to save one or the other , I would find something to throw out to the one who is in less danger and I would rescue the one that need to be rescued first. Hopefully both would survive.
2. Again I would teach them the drop and roll as oxygen is lower to the ground. But If I had to rescue one or the other, I would guide the closest one out quickly and go back in after the second one. Step-children and your own children should be equal as they all need to be love cared for and nurtured the same.
3. In regards to the medication, if one was healed over another and I had seen a miraculous recovery from the one that it was administered to, I would ask the Doctor's to run more tests as apparently the medication that was given to my child may not be the one that would aid them with a strong recovery. It could be that my child had been misdiagnosed as some symptoms are similiar.
4. Odds are the elderly grandmother would tell you to rescue your child as she has had quite a long life. I would rescue my child , however I would seek out help immediately to try and have my elderly grandmother resuced as well before it is to late.
5. If we were trapped in an iron mine, I would give one to my mother and share the second oxygen mask with my child, if the two adults take turns using the minimal amount of oxygen and dividing it by three knowing that a rescue team is on there way down, then all should survive the rescue. Honestly none of us shoud have been down there to begin with, and we would have not gotten ourselves into trouble.
6. If my elderly parents where both trapped and could rescue only one, both said they wanted to be together and they had been married for 65 years? No matter what we would do and even though they are elderly, if you have tried to rescue them and coax them then there is nothing you can do but respect there wishes. You cannot place yourself in a bad position when you also have responsibilties at home. It may sound cruel but everyone could die , including yourself if neither is willing to budge.
7. If my child and nephew were both drowning? First, one if not both should know how to swim and I would have taken all precautions necessary as the responsible adult to make certain that neither child would be placed in this position. We can avoid many accidents and deaths if we would just take the time to think ahead. :)
Man, thought=provoking and really hard questions. What would I do, am not really sure but would probably try and save everybody.
Roni--I agree, these are tough questions that I hope nobody ever has to answer...thanks for reading:)
AE--I also agree with your answers. And let it be known that I personally didn't pick these questions because I have experience, I simply used what I know in my mind COULD happen...I wouldn't want to see anyone dying...it may be a totally different story when you're in the situation, in fact I know it is...your answers are very intelligent and should definitely be the "norm", but not all parents put their children in swimming lessons, that doesn't mean they expect them to drown, you know what I mean? lol...That sounded kind of snotty in writing but I was just making a statement that I believe to be true. But absolutely all children should take swimming lessons if necessary. Not only that but parents should role-play certain events [just in case]:) Thanks AE, it's nice to see you!
Cindy=-=I said what I had to say to answer my son at the time, but these are very tough sitatuations. Of course every situation is totally different but I just wanted to know how ya'll would answer them if you were asked:) Thanks and have a great Mother's Day!
Wow what a well thought out hub and well you cant really answer any of those questions, can only hope I am never in any of those situations. Love the new Avatar, so suits you !
Tough, and excellent questions. I will not state what I would do, like AEvans does.
I think it's exceedingly hard to answer these questions until you actually are in the situation described.
There is an old story from the Talmud (Jewish biblical commentaries) about two men lost in the desert with only enough water for one to make it to the oasis. What to do? Share and both will die? Or one will take all - thereby surviving at the price of the other. Answer ...Second option. Better for one to survive than for two to die. Who should live and who should die? Up to the two to decide.
I hate to think of things like this, Sophie's choice. I would try to break your "only one" rule. I would die trying to break it.
Jamie
Yeah, I agree with most of them - tough questions! Generally though, I think I'd go with my gut feel - what it tells me to do at that moment. Not good enough? Okay I'll come back with better answers. LOL Thanks, thought provoking hub indeed! :D
I briefly went to school for broadcasting, very early on, a journalist told us the duty of reporting the story and not being involved in the story. It was heartless and I couldn't do it. If someone needs help, I have to step in, if I can.
Time and again I have proven myself coolheaded in an emergency, yet I have never been faced with any kind of choice like any of these. I have run most of the scenarios you suggest in my head, and in most of them, I die trying to do the impossible.
Bad...lol...glad you liked the hub sweetie:) That's funny that you think my new avatar suits me....I think you're right. At first I took that comment literally (I don't have blonde hair, a tiny waist, or large breasts) lol But then I thought about what YOU know about me and you're absolutely right!! Thanks Bad, I honestly do take that as a compliment! Big hugs
Birte--You definitely looked at the situation as I did. They're extremely hard questions to answer, but like the biblical commentary you explained...why lose two people instead of one? But of course each situation is different. Thanks for reading hon. Nice to see you:)
Randy--It's so interesting how everyone looks at these questions isn't it? If children were involved, whether my own or not, I would probably die trying to save each one also. It's tough to think about but some people do have to make these decisions. Hopefully not often, but it's an unfortunate reality.
Cris--Hey you! Love the new picture...you're tantalizing us with more and more of yourself...love it! lol....thanks for your comment hon, good to see you:)
Toad--I'm with you on that one. I can't believe they expect you to report the story and ignore the situation...unbelievable! Hope you had a nice weekend:)
Tom--You're a good man! I'd like to think that most people would do whatever they could in these situations but as many of the hubbers have said, these are events that we hope to never face. I haven't dealt with anything as perilous as the situations I mentioned but I have had a couple of scary situations to deal with and I was like a machine! lol...if you'd asked me prior to these difficult situations, I probably would've thought I'd freak out and lose control, but I maintained my composure and did everything right. Of course I don't mean that in a bragadocious way but I was impressed with myself for keeping cool. Thanks for reading Tom:)
Jeeez ya mean to tell me yer not really a blonde cartoon with great breasts, my illusion of you is now so shattered lol, enjoy yer Monday my friend : )
Tough questions. Thing is, we're pondering these situations in the luxury of conjecture, with time to think and ponder. Not when we only have seconds to make a decision (or decisions) that'll affect our's and other's lives forever. I've done things in dangerous situations that I probably wouldn't have done, or would've done much differently, if I'd had time to consider *all* the options.
Bad--thanks buddy:) Nice to see you this morning!
Jama--you're so right. Thanks for reading and commenting:) Nice to see you here and hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day (I'm assuming you have children). Hugs
I would save the female, the youngest, or the healthiest in these repsective situations and the tie breaker would have to be who I love the most.
That is a very respectful answer, James. Thanks so much for reading and commenting:)
I keep a hammer, an axe, a saw, a fire extinguisher, a rappelling harness, and 150' rope or more in my vehicle and home at all times, along with a first aid kit and other items. Hopefully, my possession and familiarity of use of these items will allow me to overcome the difficulties proposed, reducing the need to make such choices.
Icono--that's a great way to prepare....good ideas! Thanks for reading!
frogdropping says:
8 months ago
MissJamie - tough Q's! In most instances, would be anything belonging me that I saved first. Instinct? Love? Morally right or wrong? Don't know. If trying to save my children resulted in the loss of my life - so be it. Re: the 1st Q - I really don't know. The Q about mother or child? Child. Ooooo this is hard!
Great hub MissJamie - I'm going away to ponder ...