Would you risk your life to save someone else?

United States
February 16, 2013 1:27am CST
This is a very broad question, I'm aware. There is a million scenarios one can think of as far as risking their life for someone else. But specifically.. would you risk your life to save someone else that YOU DIDN'T KNOW? If you had your family present with you and it was you and your family's lives being risked to save someone you've never seen before/never met, could you do it? Could you go through with it and make a drastic split second decision or could you let the other person die? If you choose to let the other person die, how would you be able to live with that decision for the remainder of your life knowing that you could've possibly done something? #LateNightThoughts
4 people like this
12 responses
@else22 (4317)
• India
17 Feb 13
I would be lying if I say,yes,I would.I would rather like to say,being the only bread winner of my family,it would be difficult for me to risk my life to save someone although I would like to do so.I am not afraid of dying,but my concern for my family that is fully dependent on me would prevent me from risking my life.However I would try my best to ensure that 'someone' is saved.
2 people like this
• United States
17 Feb 13
Very honest of you, indeed. There is not too many people who would openly admit that and try to play the nobler card. I respect you for that and with the situation at hand, your family would greatly miss you if anything like that were to occur and they would experience a great loss. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!!
• United States
19 Feb 13
You're right.. it is a very hard question indeed. I'm not so sure whether I'd be able to risk my life and die to leave my 4 year old daughter behind and alone. It would definitely have to be a serious situation with a person I presume to be a good person. If it were a child.. I could not let a child die.
@else22 (4317)
• India
18 Feb 13
Thanks.Sometimes a question strikes my mind.My first duty is towards my family- my wife,my kids and my sisters one of whom is a widow and the other unmarried by choice.I have two kids,a son and a daughter.My widow sister has a daughter.I am responsible for looking after all of them.If one day I see someone going to be killed by some armed anti social elements,then it automatically becomes my duty to save him.Both are duties.Which one should I discharge?I am confused.Someone is going to die before my eyes.How can I look the other way?On the other hand,there is my family waiting for me.A puzzling question.I am confused.
1 person likes this
@eagletrek2 (5499)
• Kingston, New York
16 Feb 13
Yes I would even for a stranger Look at all the vlountre fire people Today that do it.
2 people like this
• United States
17 Feb 13
You're absolutely right! I didn't think about the many disaster volunteers, firefigthers, police and rescue squad personnel who risk their lives daily for people they've never seen/met. Great perspective. Thanks for sharing!!
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
19 Feb 13
Not only would I do something like this for another person, it is actually something that I've done before. You see, my mother and I were going to Cincinnati for a concert and we saw a motorcycle accident happen right in front of us. I stopped my car on the busy interstate and got out of the car to tend to the needs of the young man that had been on the motorcycle. Looking back at it, I was putting my own life in danger but then again, if I was ever faced with this kind of situation again, I would do the same thing again.
1 person likes this
• United States
19 Feb 13
Wow!! I bet that was exhilirating yet scarily dangerous for you! But, I bet that young man was very appreciative towards you for your noble deeds and also very grateful that you were there to save his life! I couldn't imagine NOT helping in a situation like that, unless it were very life-threatening. Blessings come to those like you. I have never been in such a situation.
• United States
19 Feb 13
Thanks for sharing!!
• India
16 Feb 13
Risking your life is something more than anything. But even if i have to then i would love to risk it for my loved ones, My mom dad.
1 person likes this
• United States
17 Feb 13
I would risk my life for my mom, dad, daughter, sister, cousins, grandmother, aunt, boyfriend and a few other relatives, not very many and it definitely wouldn't be everyone in my family either. However, I would maybe think twice about risking my life for a stranger. What about you?
• India
16 Feb 13
It depends to the scene and what is the matter there that somebody is in troble and I have to save him or her? if that is accident so I will try my best to make some help if I will not be able to do it alone. but if that is something like terrble fight between men then I will not risk my life but call police, maybe it is because I am female and not that much strong enough to see bad things. but I will try to make any help on my posibility. and it is so great if somebody can make his or her life into risk for saving another life.
2 people like this
• United States
17 Feb 13
I have been CPR/First Aid certified and I have a little medical experience, I can swim.. but I cannot help in extreme physical conditions.. I would definitely have to seek help for that person. Thanks for sharing your views!!
@tyleremy (170)
• China
16 Feb 13
It depends on what kind of situation is.For example,A man who doesn't know anything about swimming felt into a lake and he's calling for help,I will not jump into the lake to save him, cause I know nothing about swimming just like him,but I will call other people around for help.
2 people like this
• India
16 Feb 13
If the person at risk is someone dear to me, say a parent, child, brother or sister, definitely I wouldn't think twice before going in to save the person concerned. Its a natural, automatic response, and I'm sure this would apply to most people.
1 person likes this
• United States
17 Feb 13
Of course we would save our families if possible and given the opportunity. However, would you save a stranger? Thanks for commenting!!
@Daisy_22 (1229)
• Philippines
16 Feb 13
Being a martyr is not common nowadays.It's better to let someone hurt than to be hurt.However I can't still applied that principle. The good moral values and ethics I've learned from my parents are much more important than everything.With that question, if saving other people and would mean risky my life is the good and right thing to do then why not?
1 person likes this
• United States
17 Feb 13
Yes dependent upon the situation, one's religious faith and adrenaline lol almost anything can be accomplished. Thanks for sharing!!
@Janurmas (642)
• Indonesia
16 Feb 13
It depends on the person. I would like to risk myself if my family members need my help. But, I would not risk myself if a stranger need my help which if the accident likely risking my safety or life. I am willing to help people, but I also have to consider about my safety. I want to live any longer, and still there are many people need my life, not my life scarification. Let we compare the number of people who need our help to the people need our life scarification.
@elenaliu (149)
• China
16 Feb 13
It is a question many of us struggle with,for me,if that person is in danger I care about I will save him/her risk my life,however if that person I never see before,maybe I will think about whether I have the ability to save him/her without threating my life.
1 person likes this
• United States
17 Feb 13
It would definitely depend upon the situation itself at hand and also as you said whether or not I would certainly die from saving them or actually save at least one life. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!!
@jdawg011 (498)
• Canada
16 Feb 13
Yes, I would. I care about a lot of people enough to risk my life for them. I think that I would try to minimize the risk of either of us dying, but I would still risk my life for my family, and close friends.
1 person likes this
• United States
16 Feb 13
I concur. I don't think that there's anyone walking this Earth that wouldn't risk their life for family or close friends that they loved. Specifically, the question last night here was... would you risk your life to save someone that YOU DIDN'T KNOW? Thanks for sharing!!
16 Feb 13
Yes I would. I'm always willing to die if that would save any of my family members or friends. Plus, if it was someone treated unfairly, I'll take a stand for him/her. If a kid was being kidnapped, an innocent man being robbed or a woman being sexually harassed, I'll risk my life to save them..
1 person likes this
• United States
17 Feb 13
That is very noble of you. There is not many people in this world who would openly admit to that and then dedicate themselves to risking their life. You would win a Nobel Peace Prize.. Kudos to you for being so humane for mankind. Thanks for commenting!!