Good question indeed.
In a real life or death situation, I would be ready to die for my kids only. I would not risk my life to save even my wife if it would mean certain death for both of us, and she would do the same. We talked and agreed about it and one of us must survive to raise our children the way we decided to, until they are old enough. That being said, we try not to put ourselves in that situation so we dont do dangerous sports or activities together without the kids if possible.
Now in the situation described in this thread,(ooa, rapid buddy ascent dragging you, etc.), I had never tought of it thoroughly and I dont know what would have been my reaction. But now at least, i think I might remember the discussion here and have a better reaction. It is better to think about possible emergency situation and imagine a course of action before it actually happens. Learned that in rescue class too.
Now for the personnal experience, I was once in a life threatening situation. Without my good buddy, I would have been in serious trouble. We did (as calmly as we could) what we had to do. But my buddy was never himself endangered to the point where he had to make a decision to let me go or stay with me. I wonder what he would have done. We will never know, and it's better that way
In a real life or death situation, I would be ready to die for my kids only. I would not risk my life to save even my wife if it would mean certain death for both of us, and she would do the same. We talked and agreed about it and one of us must survive to raise our children the way we decided to, until they are old enough. That being said, we try not to put ourselves in that situation so we dont do dangerous sports or activities together without the kids if possible.
Now in the situation described in this thread,(ooa, rapid buddy ascent dragging you, etc.), I had never tought of it thoroughly and I dont know what would have been my reaction. But now at least, i think I might remember the discussion here and have a better reaction. It is better to think about possible emergency situation and imagine a course of action before it actually happens. Learned that in rescue class too.
Now for the personnal experience, I was once in a life threatening situation. Without my good buddy, I would have been in serious trouble. We did (as calmly as we could) what we had to do. But my buddy was never himself endangered to the point where he had to make a decision to let me go or stay with me. I wonder what he would have done. We will never know, and it's better that way