Why do people take extreme risks to save the lives of others?

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 06:23:13 -0400

We grow up being taught to look before we leap and think before we act, especially in dangerous situations. In its booklet on dealing with “active shooters,” the Department of Homeland Security lists confrontation as the “last resort,” after, among other things, taking note of the nearest exits and locking yourself in an office. Police tell us not to confront someone “armed and dangerous.” And our spouses and other loved ones tell us, “don’t be a hero.”

Yet it turns out, according to a recent study of why people take extreme risks to save lives that are at immediate risk, that the ones who do indeed come to the rescue, like the three Americans on that French train, are those who completely disregard all that advice.

If you stop to contemplate whether to act when the danger actually confronts you, you probably won’t, the study suggests.

And the answer to the question “what were they thinking when they risked their lives?” is that they weren’t thinking, at least not very much. They just did it. If you think about it too much, you won’t.

Yale scholar David Rand called it the “danger of deliberation” in an interview with The Washington Post, and it appears to be the biggest deterrent to what he calls “extreme altruism.”

That’s the essential finding of Rand’s study with co-author Zev G. Epstein of Pomona College, “Risking Your Life without a Second Thought: Intuitive Decision-Making and Extreme Altruism.”

The study does not take issue with such warnings, urge any course of action or pass moral judgment.

Read more at ...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/08/24/american-heroes-in-france-why-some-people-risk-their-lives-to-save-others/?tid=hp_mm&hpid=z3

The secret of extreme heroes: They don’t overthink

"If you stop and think about it, you start coming up with reasons why you shouldn’t act," says researcher David Rand.

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Aug 24 at 2015 6:31 AM

SGM Steve Wettstein — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 06:31:57 -0400

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad Gunny I believe it is selfless service, reaction, or training.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Aug 24 at 2015 7:16 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 07:16:27 -0400

I've mentioned battle senses before, but basically it's your subconscious mind "running the math" before your conscious mind can catch up. The human brain works fast. Really fast. The conscious mind actually slows it down and makes you second guess everything.

Our men on that train INSTANTLY assessed the problem. They KNEW that if they didn't do something IMMEDIATELY people were going to die. They ACTED based on all the information they needed.

Had they let their conscious mind catch up, it would have tried to second guess things and it would have put them behind the curve. They would have ended up THINKING instead of knowing. They would have been REACTING instead of acting. That's what gets people killed.

By Knowing & Acting, they gained an advantage.

As for WHY. Because it was the Right thing to do. It is my firm belief that People are inherently good. It just takes the correct opportunity for them to shine. Sometimes they have an edge, like training which helps them overcome things like fear, or situational disadvantages, but for the most part, the vast majority of us are going to do the right thing.

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Aug 24 at 2015 7:23 AM

Cpl Jeff N. — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 07:23:23 -0400

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad. That advice will make you a victim in too many cases. We also learned when attacked, counterattack. The best time to do so is immediately before the attacker can solidify his position or advance his attack. On a high speed train with no way off, the shooter could kill at his leisure until all 270 or so rounds of ammo was consumed.

Terrorism is not a normal criminal act. Their intent is to kill as many people as possible in as hideous manner as possible. If you do not act you will likely die. Had these three gents not acted, many would have died. The lesson here is clear.

By the way, could the USAF and NG have secured these guys a uniform and a razor blade to meet with the President of France.

Response by PO3 William Villalpando made Aug 24 at 2015 8:08 AM

PO3 William Villalpando — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 08:08:37 -0400

What those three guys did is at the core of most Americans, I believe...especially us current and former servicemen. They stood up for those who couldn't or wouldn't stand up for themselves. They saw a situation where impending disaster was immanent, and knowing that they had a very small window to act, they jumped. As a former combat corpsman, I couldn't be more proud. I am certain they saved dozens if not hundreds of lives that day, without much regard for their own well being. I only hope that when they get home, our own CIC bestows the same honors as President Hollande did on those boys.

I do have a question, will the active duty airman and the guardsman be permitted to wear the French Legion of Honor medal (and presumably, ribbon) on their uniforms?

Response by SFC Paul Schwindeller made Aug 24 at 2015 8:09 AM

SFC Paul Schwindeller — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 08:09:52 -0400

Sheep dogs Vs sheep

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Aug 24 at 2015 8:13 AM

SGT Ben Keen — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 08:13:53 -0400

I think this goes back to the whole Fight or Flight mentality. There are some people in this world that will not take the risk and rather run from the danger while others will just run straight at it. I don't think either reaction is better than the other. We have seen this time and time again. Just take a look at Flight 93 on 9/11. That group of passangers knew they were going to die. They were stuck on a plane controlled by crazy people but they still grouped up and took on the terrorists in order to save the lives of others knowing that they were already dead.

I think that is what really separates us from our peers. Not to say they wouldn't do it, but we signed up to run into the fire. We put ourselves in the line of fire. First responders do the same. We are thankful for those that run towards the issue but I think if everyone did it, we would see more and more killed in these type of effects.

Response by Sgt Tom Cunnally made Aug 24 at 2015 8:56 AM

Sgt Tom Cunnally — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 08:56:37 -0400

Great Question & I asked it several times. And each time I was told that the answer is "Training kicks in and you just act; especially if it means saving one of your comrades"....But not sure ??? Gunny Because each of us are different and would respond differently in the same situation as these three young men did.

Response by Sgt Tom Cunnally made Aug 24 at 2015 8:57 AM

Sgt Tom Cunnally — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 08:57:25 -0400

One of the guys said "It was just instinct" when he was asked this question

Response by MSgt Steve Miller made Aug 24 at 2015 9:24 AM

MSgt Steve Miller — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 09:24:57 -0400

Good vs. Evil and the inherent drive to step up and do something when we see evil ready to strike. It was the right thing to do, and often there is no time for planning as phase would only serve failure. In this case we have three instinctive service members willing to risk it all to save the lives of the innocent. I doubt a shinny new medal was any part of their decision to take action. Super awesome! I’m more than a little proud of their actions. Way to go guys!!!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2015 9:57 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 09:57:07 -0400

Courage

Response by SGT Roberto Mendoza-Diaz made Aug 24 at 2015 11:44 AM

SGT Roberto Mendoza-Diaz — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 11:44:12 -0400

It is our nature as human beings to strive for survival.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 19 at 2015 7:48 AM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 07:48:13 -0400

ask that question later ... that is how our brains work. They shut down all other rational thoughts in a fight or flight situation and just do it without asking why. Many connect it to how they raise ... some just said by chances. we will never actually fully understand that.

Response by MSgt Michelle Mondia made Dec 12 at 2015 1:13 AM

MSgt Michelle Mondia — Sat, 12 Dec 2015 01:13:36 -0500

Depends on how you're wired.