Question for the rescuers here, if every person you rescued consistently had the attitude of these boys, would you hesitate to rescue some people? What if they had these attitudes AND you were unpaid? Those may be hard questions to imagine, but there must be a point at which there's no longer any personal satisfaction or sense of duty.
Just my opinion:
Yes, I would and will continue to provide this service until I am no longer physically able to do so. Regardless of the reason or attitude of the person being rescued, I derive an incredible degree of self satisfaction based upon my actions. I try to never base my actions or inactions on the action or attitudes of others. I believe/assume I hold little to no control over their actions/thoughts/attitudes, but should always be in control over my actions/thoughts/attitudes.
I am unpaid (cash); I am a volunteer and have been so for over 20 years. My payment comes from within myself, knowing I contributed to helping someone else. The biggest payment comes from the person or persons who truly appreciate your actions and says “Thank you”. Nothing compares to the feeling you get when someone or a family member comes up to you and says “Thanks for saving my life” or the life of a loved one or a friend. A single thank you from someone more than compensates for a hundred persons who are unthankful, uncaring or belligerent.
Pete
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