I don't think I've helped save anyone's life yet, but mine was saved 2 months ago. My boyfriend and I were in Jamaica, and we had been snorkelling off the cliffs of Negril. The water had suddenly become choppy, and we immediately headed for the ladder to get out of the water. My boyfriend went first, and then helped me get to the ladder.
Unfortunately, I didn't take my swim fins off first, so I couldn't get my feet on the ladder. I immediately "hugged" the ladder while 2 huge waves crashed over my head. I still had my mask and snorkel on (thankfully), but I couldn't do anything more than hang on. If I had been swept off the ladder, I would have been smashed up against the cliffs and probably killed or at the very least banged up by the rocks.
The weirdest part about the whole thing was that my boyfriend had already headed up the ladder after helping me get to it, because some guy was coming DOWN the ladder to swim out to his boat. My boyfriend by that time realized I was in trouble, but the other guy was already right next to me and took off my fins for me and then LIFTED me up until my foot reached the ladder. I very shakily went up and while going asked the guy "Dude, what's your name? I think you just saved my life!" His answer? "Famous Vincent" Sure enough his name was right on his boat!
All in all a very scary experience, and if it wasn't for both my boyfriend and the other guy I'm not sure I'd have made it home from that trip. I did not get to see the guy again before we left, but we're going back again so hopefully I'll meet him again next winter. It's amazing how much you learn to appreciate life after something like that happens.
Becky