Could you have jumped out of the building?

[Sluggo]

Could you have made a conscious decision to jump out of a tall building like that?

Given a preference I think I would have breathed the toxic smoke and took that way out, but I am deathly afraid of heights to begin with.

Upon further consideration, I would like to believe that people who were seen falling were the ones who were hanging out the windows, and were rendered unconscious by the toxic smoke, that being what caused them to fall. I can hope that, I cannot begin to imagine the feeling of jumping being the only alternative.......much less being conscious when falling, knowing your impending fate.

If this has been covered here, or covered in depth my the media, I apologize in advance.

 

[GtPrOjEcTX]

My assumption is that they would rather jump than be consumed alive by fire ignited by jet fuel, which I'm afraid would be much more painful.

 

[Ronstang]

I would much rather take a stab at flying than burn to death.

 

[FrysInsider]

I heard that many who were jumping out already had their skin burning off. In that situation, I would jump rather than burn to death.

 

[perry]

I'd jump, but first I would call CNN and tell them to watch, because I'd try to do all sorts of tricks in the air for the few seconds that I'm falling. The split second of pain that you feel hitting the ground would have to be a "better" way to go than burning to death.

 

[veryape]

I had this discussion yesterday with my fiancee. My answer was definitely yes,as my biggest fear is dying in an inferno. Besides that,there is a certain satisfaction you get from choosing your own fate,rather than let the terrorists choose how you go. This was these peoples last choice,if you can in any way call it a choice. God knows they didn't ask to be there for that.

 

[Rainsford]

<< I'd jump, but first I would call CNN and tell them to watch, because I'd try to do all sorts of tricks in the air for the few seconds that I'm falling. The split second of pain that you feel hitting the ground would have to be a "better" way to go than burning to death. >>



Tricks? Those were peoples' lives we're talking about here. Try and show a little better taste please.

 

[damocles]

The thought is terrifying

 

[spanky]

i would've whacked myself unconscience and then fall.

 

[AznMaverick]

yea i'd jump, if i was in that situation, i wouldn't ask myself, "did i really live my life?" "did i miss anything?", but rather, i'd be thinking of what would happen to me after i die.

However, i can't imagine what they were thinking, but i'd much rather die a fast, quick death rather than a slow, painful one.

 

[Degenerate]

when you jump i would think thats the bravest thing to do......
even if u die....
cause u are going to die anyway.... why not go down in Style......
i feel sorry for those people....
i am sooooooo sad...........


EDIT : can't spell

 

[Elledan]

<< The thought is terrifying >>

Agreed.

I think that no one here can even realize what both of those choices really mean in such a situation. I really hope that none of you ever have to choose which way you're going to die.

 

[DAWeinG]

I would rather jump than being burned alive and I agree that I would rather choose my fate than let the terrorists choose mine. I'm really scared of heights but I would not want to be burned alive. Also, burning fire resembles hell =(

 

[ppaik]

 

[j0lly]

It takes 25 minutes for the skin to fully burn. Would you rather endure such pain or take the plunge?

 

[PeeluckyDuckee]

unless they were professional sky divers, they'd prolly be fainted before the hit the ground, no? I agree too, falling is the quickest and least painful way to go.

Plucky

 

[joohang]

To be honest, I don't know.

I'd rather jump than burn in jet fuel, but if I were far away enough from fire, the tiny bit of hope might hold me back from jumping.

Jumping seems to be the less painful way to die, though.

 

[Rage187]

Yes

But your stomach would be in your head by the time you hit the ground..


Painless

 

[AaronP]

I would have tried to run through the fire.

I doubt I ever will, but if I ever work in a skyscraper, I just might keep a parachute in my desk drawer.

 

[AtriumBruin]

In the LA Times, I have heard that there's a picture of two people falling from the building.. They were clutching each others hands.

It must be an incredibly striking picture... desperation, fear, love, hope, compassion
everything.. jesus..

 

[Gooberlx2]

Yeah,
Imagine if you're on the 90+ whatever floor (assuming you haven't been completely disintegrated already), and you've already ruled out every other possible way of escape. Now you're faced with the most disturbing and dissapointing fact of your life: you are going to die. Now, if you're able to be rational, which I think you would be by this point after the adrenaline has kicked in and the shock has worn off, you know you have 3 options.
1. Burn in the fire. Probably one of the worst and most painful ways to go.
2. Get crushed, cut in pieces, beheaded, gutted, etc. by pipes, concrete and other debris as you ride it down when the building crumbles. (Assuming you know that the building is about to give way)
3. Go out in the only, hopefully, painless way you can think of, which will probably be somewhat of a euphoric experience anyway. Jump.

I pick #3.

Of course, I could never know unless faced with such a situation. Maybe I would be persistent and try to find a way out, maybe I would piss my pants and cry in a corner. I'm sure both happened that day for many different unfortunate people.

This is the first time I have been online since the start of the catastrophie, as I opted to talk about this with my friends and family before discussing my thoughts on the issue.

My heart goes out to the friends, family, memories and honor of those who perished in what is an unbelievable tragedy. All the Passengers, Tourists, Business people, Police, Firemen, good samaratins, and passerbys who died will not be forgotten, nor will they have died in vain. America will recover, stronger and more united than ever. Such is the essence of the American spirit; persistence and defiance in the faces of those who would take our liberties from us.

 

[FrontlineWarrior]

i have a picture from the associated press. it looked intentional, and not like he was unconscious. it looked almost stoical. PM for pic.

 

[HOWITIS]

you people are missing the fact that tempertures where over a 1000 degree. there skin was probably melting, they couldn't breathe for smoke. they probably just wanted to get away from the pain, out of the oven, jumping was there only escape.

 

[jehh]

<< I would much rather take a stab at flying than burn to death. >>



Yea, you never know, God might change his mind...

Never a parachute around when you need one...

Jason

 

[FrontlineWarrior]

i'd hate to be the dumbass that killed a police officer on the way down.