# Lake Michigan takes another life **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 10, 2010, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lake-michigan-takes-another-life/542642 "2010-06-10T13:24:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2010, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lake-michigan-takes-another-life/542642/41 "2010-06-11T00:20:49Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > My husband is a certified First Responder due to his work in the safety field, and he tells me that he was taught that the hardest thing you’ll do as a First Responder is take the time to go into a dangerous situation safely, when every instinct is screaming, “Help them!” (I’m not saying this to give **Qadgop** a hard time, as he’s already acknowledged that he made a choice by going in quicker without the vest.) A couple of years ago an SUV rolled over on to it’s side and burst into flames. There was a small child still in his car seat in the back. An off duty officer (fire fighter? EMT?) broke through the windshield and entered the flame engulfed vehicle to extract the child, which he did successfully. A handful of people caught it on their cell phones. Those videos are now shown around the country to firefighters of examples of what not to do (entering a burning vehicle with no gear or backup). From what I understand, most firefighters say they would do the same thing even though they know they shouldn’t. [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/fy1DfGj573w/hqdefault.jpg "Kids, mom rescued from burning SUV") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy1DfGj573w) She had just tanked up, left the gas cap off and happened to roll on to that side. ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2010, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lake-michigan-takes-another-life/542642/42 "2010-06-11T00:37:07Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > I realized it might well become one of those “rescuer dies in the attempt” scenarios, especially after I capsized. But when the “child in mortal danger” situation occurs, I apparently default to “must act”. And the fact that you survived capsizing argues that you stayed within your capabilities. I think you did well. Failing to act because there was a chance you’d make things worse could have been a rational, defensible decision. But then you’d have to live with thoughts of what might have been. I note that your location is especially apt for this thread. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2010, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lake-michigan-takes-another-life/542642/43 "2010-06-11T00:39:28Z")
I used to be on a Search and Rescue team. The first rule is to not become a victim yourself. That’s easy to say when you have 20 people backing you up. With that said, sometimes a good man or woman has no choice. Going in without a PFD or not going was the choice given to you. You made the right choice. I think that I understand the clarity and focus that you went through. It’s hard to explain. And it’s hard to come down from that. It’s amazing what the brain can do under such specific focus. You did everything that anyone could do. And you did it right. Don’t forget that. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2010, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lake-michigan-takes-another-life/542642/44 "2010-06-11T00:52:55Z")
Well done Q. You did everything that could have been done. Everything. Stand proud. > [@](#): > > Never turn your back on her. I won’t. I’ll remember this, and I won’t. Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![lavenderviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/cdc98d/32.png) [@lavenderviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lavenderviolet)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2010, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lake-michigan-takes-another-life/542642/45 "2010-06-11T00:58:04Z")
Geez, what a situation. I definitely applaud you for being brave enough to go out there to help that poor girl when you didn’t even know her. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2010, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lake-michigan-takes-another-life/542642/46 "2010-06-11T01:30:34Z")
Thanks, all. I appreciate it. No recovery of the girl yet. I’ve played the scene over and over in my mind, and am slowly coming to terms with it. A big thanks to the rescue crew for pulling my chilled butt out of the drink! They’ll be hearing that from me (again) personally. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2010, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lake-michigan-takes-another-life/542642/47 "2010-06-11T01:34:04Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > A big thanks to the rescue crew for pulling my chilled butt out of the drink! They’ll be hearing that from me (again) personally. Is that the same rescue crew (well, not the same personnel, but you know) that fished you and your dad out of the oat field after the plane crash? You did what you could. If you looked around for a life vest you’d be kicking yourself over that and blaming yourself for ‘losing’ her. But you went out and still couldn’t find her. I doubt anyone else could have done better there. ---
**Author:** ![Wile\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2010, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lake-michigan-takes-another-life/542642/48 "2010-06-11T02:00:40Z")
A song about one of the other Great Lakes comes to mind, “Does anyone know where the love of God goes when the waves turn the minutes to hours?”. What you did Qadgop was very brave and above and beyond. I’m sorry the outcome wasn’t better but at least it wasn’t worse. I’m glad you survived. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2010, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lake-michigan-takes-another-life/542642/49 "2010-06-11T02:10:02Z")
> [@Ferret\_Herder](#): > > Is that the same rescue crew (well, not the same personnel, but you know) that fished you and your dad out of the oat field after the plane crash? The Flying Dutchmen rescue crew was on the shore, and took my vitals and gave me water after I got back to land. The Sheboygan County Sheriff’s boat and crew were the ones who pulled me out while the CG boats kept circling the area around the kayak, searching for her. ---
**Author:** ![elelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f0a364/32.png) [@elelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elelle)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2010, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lake-michigan-takes-another-life/542642/50 "2010-06-11T02:18:18Z")
Bless you, Qadgop, for trying to save the poor girl. You tried your best, and, as a physician, would have been best able to help her if you found her in duress. Be kind to yourself in reliving your heroic kindness. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2010, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lake-michigan-takes-another-life/542642/51 "2010-06-11T02:41:26Z")
“You’re a better man than I am, Gunga Din.” I could only hope I would have done what you did. Bless you. My heat goes out to the family. ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2010, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lake-michigan-takes-another-life/542642/52 "2010-06-11T03:14:47Z")
Much respect, Qadgop. I’m sorry the story didn’t have a happy ending. ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2010, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lake-michigan-takes-another-life/542642/53 "2010-06-11T03:51:36Z")
☹ How are you dealing with this, **Qad**? If this thread helps, I’m glad for it. Will you attend the funeral? It may help you. (I don’t mean to push you into anything you don’t want to do, just saying). I can see how this would be much more personal. I am so sorry this happened. ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2010, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lake-michigan-takes-another-life/542642/54 "2010-06-11T13:20:45Z")
Qadgop, I join the others in saying you’re a good, good man who did the right thing. God bless you for your efforts, and may he grant peace to the girl’s family. Ellen ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2010, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lake-michigan-takes-another-life/542642/55 "2010-06-11T14:37:31Z")
Q - today’s Trib referred to you as “a good samaritan on the beach”. Reminded me of when my kids and I were referred to as “hikers in the woods”. You are a good man, and do lead an interesting life. ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2010, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lake-michigan-takes-another-life/542642/56 "2010-06-11T14:50:29Z")
After reading this tragic event you were involved in, it doesn’t surprise me at all you took the action you did. I’ve read so many posts by you that it’s clear to me you’re a guy who would risk his own neck for others in distress. Perhaps it wasn’t clear to you then that you could muster that kind of courage, but that was a brave thing you did, and not everyone could summon that. I’m glad you’re safe, and I truly feel for everyone, especially the family, involved. Take care, QTM. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2010, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lake-michigan-takes-another-life/542642/57 "2010-06-11T15:04:17Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > Q - today’s Trib referred to you as “a good samaritan on the beach”. Reminded me of when my kids and I were referred to as “hikers in the woods”. > > You are a good man, and do lead an interesting life. [Article link here.](http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-girl-in-lake-0611-20100610,0,4272352.story) ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2010, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lake-michigan-takes-another-life/542642/58 "2010-06-11T15:58:29Z")
Well, they’ve suspended the recovery efforts now, too. Sadly, finding a needle in a haystack would be easier than what they’ve been trying to do. I don’t know what the family will do. They’ve been vigilantly holding to the beach, searching up and down with the recovery teams all along. I know sorrow is the price of wisdom, but the price seems too steep at times. ---
**Author:** ![Satchmo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/satchmo/32/4223_2.png) [@Satchmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Satchmo)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2010, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lake-michigan-takes-another-life/542642/59 "2010-06-11T22:36:18Z")
**Qadgop** , that’s one of the bravest things I’ve ever heard. I am proud to know you, no matter how tenuously. Echoing everyone else’s sorrow for that poor girl’s family. Please don’t try to second guess yourself. You are a hero. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2010, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lake-michigan-takes-another-life/542642/60 "2010-06-12T16:17:16Z")
The family and their friends continue to comb the beach and scan the lake today. Tangentially, I made a grave error last night when I decided to unwind by watching **Shutter Island**. I’d been wanting to see it since it came out, but didn’t get around to it. Unfortunately the movie contained a dream sequence with a drowned young girl telling the DiCaprio character “You let me die. You should have saved me”. Nightmares abounded last night. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lake-michigan-takes-another-life/542642.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lake-michigan-takes-another-life/542642.md?page=4)