What exactly goes through a man's mind when he sacrifices his own safety, puts himself in harm's way?

[Anonymous]

I'm a twin sister and it's scary to think that I almost lost my brother once. All because he chose me over his own safety, even though we're the same exact age. Long ago we (then 15 year-olds) visited a relative at another country. There was a small disaster taking place and he dragged me towards the exit door. Then he told me to run, don't worry about him.

So while I'm outside, safe and sound.. he's still in harm's way with fallen debris, trapped. At that moment I thought he was gone. He got rescued but had a couple bruises, swollen left eye and a broken arm. I was happy to have him back but sad to see he got injured.

Just like what my brother did, several other men have done that too; at the cost of either getting injured or dying. For instance even in the Titanic movie where Jack knows he's going to freeze to death while the girl is safely placed on the floating wooden door.. what really goes through his mind at that moment?

[Anonymous]

I have a bad habit of thinking other lives are worth more than mine. Like people would be mad if I was fine but someone else got hurt or died. Part of it is that I don't feel like anyone appreciates me to the point where they would want me to stay safe. I know that's probably not the case, but it's my first thought. I remember when we were sheltering because of a hurricane in school this one girl went over to the other building to get her phone in her locker. One of the coaches yelled at me and asked why I let her go out because "she could have died" 🫥 I knew right then that people, even if they don't say it, will sometimes think my life isn't worth as much.

[Anonymous]

It’s not something you think about. Growing up a lot of us are taught to protect women. So when something happens your instincts just kick in. It’s a natural reaction after years of being conditioned that way. I think too most of us, wouldn’t say feel invincible, but we think we’ll be ok this is nothing. I don’t know if that makes sense. But again you don’t think about it. You don’t have time to really think about it because if you hesitate too long the person you’re risking your life for could die, potentially even you as the rescuer could die.

[Orion84]

During a life or death situation, you don't really have time for rational thought. It's not even really a concious decision; it's just instinct to protect those we care about.

So, really, there's not much in the way of a coherent thought process, so it's tough to say what's going through a guy's mind in that moment. It's not something that can be explained in those terms. Adrenaline kicks in, and everything just becomes semi-automatic.

[BonzoInBitburg]

No self respecting man could watch someone get hurt or die without doing whatever he could to prevent it. I don't know how he couldn't live with that in his conscience.

[DannyUk2017]

Simple... Self-Less!

[jahaims]

You don't think about it. You just react

[shortster]

"Not on my watch."