boinky 0 #1 March 22, 2009 With the economy the way it is today, everyone is tightening their purse strings. And perhaps becoming a bit more self served. It's nice to know that there are still folks out there who are willing to go that extra step and be a good samaritan. Take a moment to view the slide show and the stories. Some are real tear jerkers. I know things are rough out there, but how about we all try to find some kind thing to do for someone else? Call it selfish altruism. Then, you can come back here and brag about it and we'll all praise you! Nina Are we called "DAWGs" because we stick our noses up people's butts? (RIP Buzz) Yep, you're a postwhore-billyvance Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MrFreefall383 0 #2 March 22, 2009 Remember though, being a good samaritan is more than just those forced acts of kindness that we all feel we have to do every once in a while to keep from getting the damnation express. Let me give you an example. My dad was coming home from a long day at the hospital, lots of things going wrong, he was just ready to go home, have a good dinner and sit back and watch The Daily Show. As he's getting off the train and crossing the tracks on the footbridge, he notices a guy sitting on the bottom step hunched over a little bit. Nobody really notices, but my dad had the feeling something was wrong, and was going to see if he was alright when he reached the bottom of the stairs. As my dad gets about halfway down the stairs, the guy just perks up, rolls to his side and starts having a seizure right on the concrete. Tons of people walking by him, you think anyone stopped to try and help the guy? No way, they all just rush by him because "It's not my problem." My dad pushes some people out of the way, reaches the man in trouble, and notices it's one of our neighbors. Now it's personal, the emotions could get in the way, but he's the only person helping. So he yells at some lady running away and says, "You, not another step, call 911 right now!" She has no choice, she's been called out, so she calls, gives information to the dispatcher, EMS comes to pick the guy up, and he turns out to be alright. So why didn't anyone stop to help the guy out? Wouldn't that be a good samaritan thing to do? Wouldn't that secure your place among the angels? People don't do that though. It's all those occasional forced acts of kindness that everyone thinks equate to being a good samaritan. Remember that if you see someone in trouble and it catches you off guard, helping then is being a good samaritan too, even if you have no idea what you're doing. If nothing else works, scream out for help, and maybe you'll get some."If at first you don't succeed... well, so much for skydiving." - aviation cliche Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beerlight 0 #3 March 22, 2009 Good one on your dad! And pointing and telling a specific person to call 911/EMS is exactly the right thing to do.And I would like to add in, if the person you tasked to call 911 needs to go somewhere to make that call, tell them to make the call and return to you. That way you know (as a rescuer) that emergency services were activated. There are stories about people that just walk off and leave the rescuer in limbo! ....... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MrFreefall383 0 #4 March 22, 2009 Yeah, I've heard stories like that too. Being a career lifesaving professional, I'll probably see it firsthand more times than I'd care to count. If you're going to help, then help. Don't make any assumptions about when enough is enough. Enough is enough when someone tells you, "There's nothing else you can do, nothing's going to change the ending of this story.""If at first you don't succeed... well, so much for skydiving." - aviation cliche Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
boinky 0 #5 March 23, 2009 You have a valid point and a wonderful story. That was a great thing your dad did. I don't suppose a forced kindness is the best kind. It would be great if it all came from an inner source that just believes it's the right thing to do as a human being. I try to do right by folks. Give to those who need, because it's for sure that I'm not starving or in dire need of anything. Be there for those who want to just talk. Still....I should do more. I've never been in a true emergency situation where I had to make the choice to help someone, particularly a life and death situation. I hope that if that time ever does come, I'll make the right choice. Nina Are we called "DAWGs" because we stick our noses up people's butts? (RIP Buzz) Yep, you're a postwhore-billyvance Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MrFreefall383 0 #6 March 23, 2009 It's a tough thing to have true respect for life and your fellow man. It's even more difficult to just do good things because you hear your conscience clearly enough saying it's the right thing to do. Most people can't hear their conscience that clearly. The fact is though, if you have that respect for life, then you'll do the right thing in an emergency situation. I only had one rescue in four years of being a lifeguard, while other guards had at least half a dozen in the same time. I just cared more about doing the job right. The more on top of my shit I was, the better off the public would be. And when I noticed a serious situation, I responded properly. This little black girl jumps off the low board, about 20 yards from my chair, and the moment she surfaces, she goes right back under, and I blasted my whistle and was jumping in a fraction of a second, and had her at the ladder within 5-10 seconds. You don't know when things like that are going to happen, but if you're a good person, you're probably going to respond properly, or you're at least going to respond, even if you kind of jack it up. At least you'll respond."If at first you don't succeed... well, so much for skydiving." - aviation cliche Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
