Dalian, China Oil Spill - GRAPHIC - What Would You Do?

[mjdmike]

Just food for thought:

Linked to "Boston.com", a photo essay about a pipeline explosion and subsequent fire, including rescue attempt images of two firefighters in oil laden water.

Oil spill in Dalian, China - The Big Picture - Boston.com

Tragic chain of events regarding the firefighter rescue. An AP photographer captured the rescue attempt, but only a portion of the images are shown in this link. Under one of the photos, there are more links to the entire sequence of 47 images, if you are interested.

At the end of some of the links, there are comments regarding the photographs. A few commented on the AP photographer and chastized him for not putting down his camera to help in the rescue.

That got me to thinking, "What would I do?" "What should the AP photographer have done?"

The truth is, that I have no idea what I would actually do, given that situation. To me, every scenario is different, and it would depend on many factors. I know there are those that will take action without any hesitation at all, and will do anything for anyone.



I have to admit that I'm not one of them. I believe that most people before taking any action, will perform a some sort of risk screening such as:

• What is the risk to me?
• What is the risk to my loved ones?
• Can I actually help -- or am I just commiting suicide?
• Will it make things worse?
• Is it worth the risk?
• Can someone else help instead of me?
• Am I qualified/trained to do this?

I do believe I (we) have a respoinsibility to care for others, but at the same time, I believe I have a responsibility to myself and family to weigh the risks associated with everything I do. I know some will call me selfish, and I accept that. But at the same time, I can think of a few scenarios where I know I wouldn't risk my life to save someone else.

I'm just curious what others think, regarding this situation, or another.

What should the AP photographer done?

What would you have done? Have you ever been in a situation like this?

[danchez]

wow, that is heavy duty.... I think it really has to do with your background. People react differently in different situations. Would I have jumped into oil thickened water to try and rescue this man.... Without actually being there, I can't answer this.... Makes me think back to the air disaster, the one that crashed into the Potomac River during the snow storm. Remember all the firefighters standing on the shore trying to rescue the people in the river. Then the one bystander just jumps in, swims out to her and rescues her. One of the most important rule of firefighters, don't become another victim/patient. You are there to rescue, not to be rescued.


watching this still brings a tear to my eye... that woman in the water, blinded by the jet fuel, slowly dying in front of everyone yet she is trying to swim, her will to live.... WOW.... anyway... 'nuff said.