In light of recent events at our hospital and at the medical school which I attend, we had a discussion about personal safety. Later in the evening, my son had some questions for my wife. When my wife told me about it, I had to share it. Here is their conversation:
Nick and I sat down in the van to go shopping, and Nick found a little plastic whistle that I was recently given at work and asked where I got it. I explained that, recently, there have been several incidents of bad people in the parking lots and garages at work. I told him the story of a co-worker who had his vehicle broken into while he was in the process of getting his belongings out of it. I explained how my co-worker hit the would-be thief and held him there until hospital security could show up and arrest him.
Nick was concerned that I shouldn’t walk in the garage by myself, and I assured him that I was always very careful and always left work with other people who were walking with me. That was when I explained that the Managers at the Hospital gave all of us whistles. We were to carry them in case a “bad guy” bothered us while we were walking to our cars we could whistle for help. I asked him what he thought. His response went something like this:
Nick: Well, I don’t know, I guess it might be a good idea.
Christi: What do you mean by “Might Be”?
Nick: Actually, I don’t think it’s a very good idea, I don’t think it will help you.
Christi: Why not?
Nick: How can the security guards hear the whistles in the big garage?
Christi: They can hear the whistles if they are close, but there usually aren’t any security guards in the garage.
Nick: There aren’t?
Christi: No, not always, they just drive through the garage every hour or so to check for problems. But, the whistle wouldn’t necessarily only be to call security guards. What if you were visiting a friend in the hospital and you parked your car in the garage and were walking inside when you heard someone blowing a whistle? What would you do?
Nick: Well, I’d see if I could find where the whistle sounds were coming from and see if I could help the person, if they needed help.
Christi: OK. Do you think most people would do that?
Nick: No
Christi: Why not?
Nick: I don’t think most people would think that was their job or their responsibility.
Christi: Really?
Nick: Yeah, I don’t think they would help.
Christi: So do you think the whistle is a good idea?
Nick: No, I don’t think it will help you if you get hurt by someone,…..
It’s just a nice free whistle.
At 9 years old, this little sheepdog pup has more thoughtfulness and insight than many grown men I have known.
With that I give you my solution.
