MOVED TO A NEW URL!!

As many of you noticed, the URL for this blog was a little scary.  It is a bit daunting to click on a URL that says "getyoukilled".  To correct that problem and avoid frightening off potential viewers, I have moved the blog content to another URL:

http://respondingwell.blogspot.com

It may take a little while to regain momentum, but if you have enjoyed the blog in the past, please change your link to the new one, and tell your friends about it!

Thanks for getting involved, and be careful out there!

mark d

Ballonist Ed Restaino Sacrifices Himself to Save Skydivers

This is a tough one, because unless you are a pilot you can't really appreciate what this guy did.  He was sucked into a thunderstorm largely because he let his skydivers leave before it was too late.  Forecasting thunderstorms is an art, not a science.  He couldn't know in advance that this would happen, only that it "might".  When the updraft began pulling them into the cloud, keeping their weight on the balloon may have saved his life, but it would have put the skydivers at increased risk.  He chose to let them jump, knowing that there would be no way to save his own life with that much ballast gone.  What a guy!

http://www.mysouthwestga.com/news/story.aspx?id=731945

Kristyn Dominy Pulls Woman and Child From Burning Car

Ms. Dominy is now my hero.  The article at the link below is very short, but if I read it correctly, she had ample reason to just drive by the victims and let someone else worry about it.  But like so many rescuers, Ms. Dominy found that she simply could not just drive on by and let them suffer.  Two people are alive, thanks to her.  Way to go!

http://www.opposingviews.com/i/society/transportation/cars/video-kristyn-dominy-rescues-driver-who-gave-her-finger

Kevin Pratt Dives Into 40-Degree Water to Save a Stranger

When a larger man got into trouble during an attempt to swim across the Willamette River, Mr. Pratt took a risky plunge.  The man was taken to the hospital with no pulse, but was later revived.  If Pratt had not gone out to help, the ending would probably not have been so positive.

http://www.katu.com/news/local/Witness-jumps-into-Willamette-to-help-drowning-man-141375733.html?tab=video&c=y

Robert George Dives Into Icy Water to save a Youngster

Four kids had fallen through the ice.  Three were able to struggle free with help from bystanders, but the fourth wasn't going to make it if Mr. George hadn't taken on the task of going into the water after the boy.  Everyone made it home!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/29/father-saves-kids-from-frozen-lake-robert-george_n_1310544.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000003

Fiji Schoolgirl Rescues Friend From Burning Levuka Dorm

It's not clear just how old these public school kids were, but one young lady had just the skills required to help another make it out safely.

http://www.fijivillage.com/?mod=story&id=23021233e73284a6d8f95c193f7afc

Dave Brearley Goes into the River, In the Dark, to Save Another

It apparently started out as a stunt, but it quickly turned into a deadly struggle for the two men who tried to swim across the Yarra river at night.  When Mr. Brearley, who had warned the men of the danger, heard their cries, he quickly went to help.  He was able to save one of the panicky duo, but the other man was lost.  Thanks, Mr. Brearley!

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/more-news/man-drowns-in-yarra-river-after-heroic-waiter-saves-friend/story-fn7x8me2-1226277602423

Endbutt Lane in Crosby: Fire Rescue

An un-named rescuer makes two trips back and forth through flames to pull two people out of a burning apartment. There are still plenty of heroes out there! Thank you, Sir!

http://icseftonandwestlancs.icnetwork.co.uk/iccrosby/news/tm_headline=heroic-passerby-rescues-two-men-from-blaze-at-crosby-flat%26method=full%26objectid=30339280%26siteid=60252-name_page.html

Graham Parkinson Pulls Neighbor from Burning Apartment

With near-zero visibility and an unknown reason for the blaze, he chooses to press into the smoke.  The most gratifying (and encouraging) line in the article at the link below is from Mr. Parkinson himself, who tells us: "Anybody would have done the same."  Thank you, Mr. Parkinson!

http://www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk/Quick-thinking-neighbour-pulls-man-safety-burning/story-15121035-detail/story.html

Into Murky, Freezing, 12-Foot-Deep Water to Help

When an un-named passerby jumped into a frigid river to pull this woman from her car, he was doing something that is even more dangerous than it first seems.  Often that first plunge into ice-water causes an instinctive inhalation.  If that happens while submerged the stage is set for lungs full of water.  Not only that, if the trapped woman had gotten a solid grip on the rescuer, he could have found himself fighting for his own life with the person he went to rescue.  Glad it all worked out.

http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/local_news/oh_lake/good-samaritan-rescues-woman-who-drove-off-perry-township-road-into-grand-river

Ms. Revathy Pulls Sleeping Child From Burning Home

Even when the child's own grandmother chose not to go back in, Ms. Revathy took action instantly and got the child out of a fast-spreading fire.  No injuries!

http://www.nst.com.my/top-news/woman-risks-life-to-save-child-from-blazing-home-1.39647

Omari Takes on Machetes to Protect Kenyan Orphans

This is courage.  The picture at the bottom of this link will give you the chills.  That was truly close!

http://www.dailydot.com/society/reddit-money-kenyan-orphanage-machette-omari/

Jason Craft, Awakened by an Explosion, Braved Fire to Help

Even in this short story, there are several great lessons.  First, Jason called 911 before he did anything else.  It looks as though that saved at least one life. Second, it helps to know your neighbors and be on good terms.  Jason knew that his neighbor was disabled, and that contributed to his determination to help.  Third, the fire department was there VERY quickly, which can make all the difference.

http://www.kiiitv.com/story/16627948/man-saves-neighbor-from-burning-home

UPDATE: Steven Santiago Pulled Man From Tracks, Then Got Hit by Train

The story below went up several weeks ago.  A story at this link reports that Mr. Santiago has succumbed to his injuries.

http://gothamist.com/2012/02/26/good_samaritan_who_saved_drunken_fi.php


This kind of thing remains high-risk, and this is a case in point.  Last reported in critical condition with serious head injuries, Mr. Santiago was able to get another person clear, but did not leave enough time to get himself to safety.  A link contained in this article leads to a bit more information.  Hopefully Mr. Santiago will recover.
http://gothamist.com/2012/01/10/man_who_saved_drunk_from_si_train_t.php

Jacqui O'Conner Braves Live Powerlines in Bid to Help Balloon Crash Victims

This was risky business.  Often High-Tension lines can kill without even being touched.  If moist, the ground around them can become sufficiently electrified to incapacitate anyone nearby.  This was a terrible tragedy, and Ms O'Conner and her friend showed a lot of moxie to even try to help.

http://m.smh.com.au/world/nz-hot-air-balloon-crash-11-killed-20120107-1pozl.html?page=2

Shankar Maity On the Mend After Saving Hopital Patients from Fire

I failed to include the link to his actions the first time that I mentioned Mr. Maity.  You can learn more about what he did at this link.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2704663.ece

But now it appears that he and many others who volunteered to help may be offered jobs as a way of saying "thanks".  Good to hear!

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/amri-fire-mamata-offers-jobs-to-youth-who-rescued-patients/1/164187.html