What would you do if...

[Zebo]

I would also save my wife if I had the statistical knowledge you posted above. But I would'nt know of the 99% chance of the second persons demise, but rather a probabilty, so my natural split-second-instinct would be to save the child because my mind assumes an adult could hold thier breath longer and also has a better chance of paddling while waiting for me to return. Again if I was absolutly certain the second person would perish, no doubt I would save my wife first because we can have another child and less people are emotionally victimized since the child had lived a shorter time so his loss is less substantial to his siblings than lossing thier mother would be. Geez this is a tough delima. Another thing to consider, is the loss of youself by acting a bridge between the rivers current and shore. Assuming they climb over you and you get so exhauted from the stuggle and drown. This you would probably rule out but that's my choice.

 

[gopunk]

i am male and i would choose the child.

god knows i would be out of my mind at having lost the person i thought i was going to spend the rest of my life with, the mother of my child. but if the situation was reversed, i would want her to save the child as well.

 

[rgwalt]

<< A story I once heard told by a pastor.

A Christian man took his 13 year old son and his son's friend to the ocean. I don't remember all the details, riptide or something, but he had to make the choice between saving his son or saving his son's friend. The man, knowing that his son knew Christ and knowing that the friend didn't, made the heart-wrenching decision to save the friend. He got him to shore and then had to watch his own son drown. The man that told this story to the audience I was in then paused. After a moment he said, "I was that friend, and I later accepted Christ."

As a Christian, the father knew his son would go to heaven based on his faith. I can't imagine ever having to make such a choice, but I know that whoever I marry would have the same faith that I do and I could be confident of their salvation through Jesus Christ. The child, on the other hand, would not have the chance to make that choice if it died. (No conversation starters about the age of innocence here please.) So I guess I would save the child. >>



Essentially took the words out of my mouth. If the child had already accepted Christ, it may be a different situation. However, I'm willing to bet that my spouse would want me to save the child as well.

Ryan

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

I would do one of two things:

1) dive down and pull the plug at the bottom of the river so it drains and they both live

or

2) use TheForce to save both



nik