If you had the chance to be a hero and save people would you seize the oppurtunity?

Question

i.e. bank robbery, apartment fire, any situation where potential harm would come to others...would you ignore the dangers and try to administer whatever aide you could in the situation or idly stand by and hope for the best?

American Heritage Dictionary definition of:

HERO - A person noted for feats of courage or nobility of purpose, especially one who has risked or sacrificed his or her life: soldiers and nurses who were heroes in an unpopular war.

Answer 1

Well, I certainly would not ignore the dangers. That would be foolish for yourself and the others you might otherwise help. But yes, I would, (and have many times) administer whatever aide that I could in such a situation.

As for standing idly by, this is a phenomenon that I find intriguing. During an emergency, people who would/could not possibly offer help still gather round and stare like a deer into headlights, getting in the way of people who are trying to help. They become oblivious to anything but their own voyeuristic entertainment. When told to move, the crowd will often realize what they are doing and back away, only to inch forward again and recreate the nuisance.

What makes these emergencies so intriguing that people risk their life and the lives of others for the sheer thrill of watching? It's often not until the police arrive with their uniforms, guns, and barricades, that the situation becomes controllable. Human nature is a funny thing.

Answer 2

I would try to save them if I could; however, if I think I would do more harm than good, then I would hope for the best. I'm not a very strong person, and probably can't tackle a robber to the ground, but I would try to do SOMETHING that would help. Besides, you don't have to save a life in order to be a hero. If you are a nice person, then you are a hero to someone already.

Answer 3

Wow, talk about so many options and things that would make a different outcome. Such as, I have a 5, 4 and 3 year old. If we were in a dangerous situation my first concern would be with getting them to safety. Then I would see if there was more I could do. if I was without them, my mind would be working 100 miles a minute to come up with ways to disarm, ditract, and get out of dodge with as many folks as I can.

Answer 4

Of course I would! The ultimate cowards are those who only think of themselves and their own well being. That doesn't mean, however, I'd be stupid or UNECESSARILY put my own life or those of other people at risk. I would not try to 'be a hero' in the sense of being foolhardy but would do all I could in an emergency situation to help to the best of my abilities.

Answer 5

Tough question! I think most of us would hope that, when it came down to it, we had the grit to do what needed to be done in the face of hazard, even loss of life. I certainly hope I would have such grit. But, I don't know if I do. I've never been faced with such a situation.
- Well, except the time a man was shooting at me and my babies. I threw myself between the man and my babies and then threw my babies in the car. I then jumped in the car, and my friend took off. (She was dropping me off at home when a man came running down the street toward us, shooting and yelling names at me.) But, this involved my children. So, it is not the same as stepping into the line of fire to save a virtual stranger.
- I hope that I would be one to help. I don't think of it as being a hero. I think of it as being an evolved human.

Answer 6

Oh, I was misreading your question. I thought you meant if you could be a superhero and do that!

I'm not sure....it's never come up. I tend to believe I would though. I sometimes have a big mouth and fly off the handle when I see an injustice being done. Curse of the libra!

Answer 7

I have yes. I have helped several people through the trauma of car accidents, I've even been blessed to be the "Johnny Bench" of a woman who had a baby on her living room floor. I've been very blessed in that I've helped save some lives, and in return had mine saved as well. It goes to show you if you are willing to help out others, then others will also help you out as well.

Answer 8

Why not? There are people who are doing that every day. If I am in danger, I want people to help me out and not just standing hoping for the best. I mean isn't that the same for you?

Answer 9

Anybody who wants to be a "hero" is an idiot and a suicide jockey.

Heroism is doing what needs to be done when the time comes to help others, nothing more.


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Answer 10

I'd help, but how does that make me a hero? Or anything like it other than just a good person.