Quick thinking: A life saved

By V. Paul Reynolds

Human behavior is so unpredictable. Why, for example, in extreme survival scenarios do some of the least expected “victims” survive, while still others, who seemed to be the toughest and most resilient, perish under the same conditions?

Survival expert Tom Brown theorized that it all boiled down to attitude and the inner will to live. Similarly, in personal danger situations, we all behave differently. And sometimes, the same person will act differently when confronting different dangers.

Psychologists contend that when danger rears its ugly head and our heart rate spikes and the adrenaline pumps, we instinctively react in one of three ways: we fight, flee or freeze. None of us really know just how we will deal with these high-pucker situations until they happen.

Do you think you know? When somebody chokes on a piece of steak at the local eatery, somebody steps forward, somebody freezes and somebody runs to the phone to dial 911.

In most cases, the person who confronts the danger does it reflexively more than through a conscious effort to perform a good deed selflessly.

For whatever reason, we can as fellow humans be thankful for those “first responders,” whether they wear a uniform or an old faded UMO sweatshirt. The person whose life is spared by the brave act of his fellow man is, obviously, especially appreciative.

This is a true story told by ice fisherman Richard Ouellette,

“Feb. 22, 2025 we were a group of three friends ice fishing at the head of Beau Lake.  In the afternoon Biology Specialist Derrick Cote came by, as he often does, to check on our catch. After taking the necessary biological data we were chatting when one of our group decided to go for a walk to check on the condition of his bait. Next thing we know he is screaming “hey guys.” Thinking he was on to a fish we all looked over to see he had gone through the ice. There was at least 12 inches of ice all around that area but this spot was apparently thinner. He was able to roll onto the ice only for it to give in again dumping him back into the lake. I started running towards him but realized that  if he had gone through I would surely go through as well. I turned to see if anything was available to reach out to him only to see Mr. Cote on his hands and knees bravely crawling out to him. Fortunately, he was able to grab him and pull him to safety. 

We quickly got our friend in our warm portable shelter and got him stripped of his soaking wet clothing. Mr. Cote provided him with some of his own warm clothing to make sure our friend did not get hypothermia. Thereafter, he brought his outer layer of clothing to the nearby warm camp to help dry it out and came back to make sure all was OK. We all made it back home safely.

I would like to commend Mr. Cote. His intervention, quick thinking and bravery helped save the life of our friend and averted a tragedy that day. His actions went above and beyond his duty as a biology specialist and a state of Maine employee. His actions demand special recognition.

From us all, thank you Biology Specialist Derrick Cote for your cool head and caring heart.”

The author is editor of the Northwoods Sporting Journal. He is also a Maine Guide and host of a weekly radio program “Maine Outdoors” heard Sundays at 7 p.m. on The Voice of Maine News-Talk Network. He has authored three books. Online purchase information is available at www.sportingjournal.com, Outdoor Books.