risking your life

[Franzl]

Here's something I've been thinking about for some time.

Under what circumstances would I risk my life for another person...whether they be a loved one...or even a complete stranger.

I know people are likely to act very differently in dangerous situations than they would like to imagine of themselves...but I'm still interested in what people say.

I mean, you hear reports every so often....about someone pulling a young woman out of a burning car..and that type of thing.

So my question: What would determine your decision on whether to put your life on the line in an attempt to save someone else?

[minionofmidas]

It would be a spur of the moment decision.

[John Dibble]

It would be a spur of the moment decision.

For people who aren't in positions like firefighters, I'd agree - that's how most people, including myself, would do it.

[Earth]

I couldn't possibly give a realistic answer, because the instances would be so, as the other poster said, spur of the moment.

[Four49]

It would be a spur of the moment decision.

Couldn't agree more.  Plus, everybody has a different view on what's considered dangerous.  You could find yourself in a situation without realizing the danger.

I once saw a guy beating the crap out of his girlfriend in front of The Wing Dome in Seattle.  So, I ran up to him and lied, saying, "Hey man, the cops are coming!"  He looked at me with gratitude and said, "sh**t, I'm packin" and took off down the street.  I never saw his gun, so he could've been lying, too.  But, if I tried to be a bad-ass and rough him up instead of bluffing, who knows what would have happened.

[Beet]

I agree with Lewis but it's also probably easier to do if others are not dependent on you.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

It would be a spur of the moment decision.

I know it would be for me.

[Smid]

I'd like to think that I'd do it, but I think you really have to be in that situation to really know how you'd react.

The story of these two guys, the self-sacrifice, is particularly touching, in my opinion:
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24383545-601,00.html

[Associate Justice PiT]

     I highly doubt that I would risk my life to save anyone else. Just being brutally frank here.

[Gustaf]

Difficult to say, obviously.

I honestly don't think I'd risk my life as in putting it at a high risk for someone I didn't know. If I wasn't aware of it or thought the risk was lower it'd be different. But if the odds were heavily in favour of me dying in the attempt I don't think I would.

If it was someone I loved it is a different matter though. I would hope I would.