Case 1 Presentation: The Unlikely Rescue

Summary of the case

The incident happened in 1996 September 9 and is about a 20-year-old Daniel Santos, volunteer firefighter, and a young woman who anticipated committing suicide.
Santos happened to be passing by with his car when he spotted the woman jumping into the Hudson River.
Out of sympathy, Santos opted to stop his car and dived to save the woman’s life.
Due to the dive, Santos suffered from rib and lung injuries, but luckily he managed to swim towards the women, and they were both rescued by a boat that chanced to be nearby.
Following the coverage of the incident in the national papers and evening news, many people celebrated Santos as a hero of the time.
However, the virtuous act of Santos is being challenged by Aristotle, who feels that people should not be crowned as moral just by acting courageously in one instance.
This depicts that there are other ways that Santos should have responded to the problem to make it him more virtuous.

Possible ways to respond to the problem.
Don't use plagiarised sources.Get your custom essay just from $11/page
GET CUSTOM PAPER

In an attempt to rescue one from drowning, a rescuer’s safety should be of significant concern to avoid incidences of a rescuer becoming another victim.
One way to respond to the problem involves exploring all the possible land-based rescues before tying any form of swimming rescue. This includes using a rope and buoyant if the victim is within a throwing distance.
Another recommendable response involves lowering oneself into the waters slowly, rather than instant diving. This will reduce injuries by objects that may hide underwater as well as minimize sudden reactions to cold water shocks.
Another option is calling 911 to inform the police officers about the incident. This will ensure that the rescuer gets help in case difficulties emerge in the course of rescuing.

References

ILSF.ORG. (2011). Suicide by Drowning in Ireland. Retrieved from https://www.ilsf.org/library/suicide-by-drowning-in-ireland/