I've actually purchased a new watch in lieu of changing the battery before.

My old watch needed four button batteries -- at $8 each -- but each set lasted two years. By the time I was ready for the third set, Casio had a solar-powered version on the market, and I couldn't resist.

I inherited a 1879 Waltham pocket watch, well used but still in good shape, not rare or particularly collectible. It will only run for about three hours at a time, so I thought maybe I should have it cleaned and get the mainspring replaced. I called around, and finally found a jewelry store who said, yes, they had one guy on staff who did that sort of thing, but it would be at least 8 weeks, perhaps 12 weeks, and cost probably $300 to $500. Yikes! I told them "I'll think about it." I thought about it for perhaps five seconds and decided the watch can stay in its pouch for another few decades.

Ugh, ita. That sucks. What a jackass that guard was, especially. I hope it comes back to bite him.

When my watch dies I carry it around waiting for me to get a new battery until roughly two years later when I buy a new watch.

I had to call home and talk to my (older) parents and tell them not to collapse in the street.

When ex-GF had a seizure and collapsed in the street folks got her out of harms way and onto an ambulance toot sweet. Portland people may be nicer.

Portland people may be nicer.

Well, technically LA people got him out of harms way etcetera etcetera. I just wasn't impressed by how adamant some people were that it wasn't going to be them.

He was very shakey and didn't want to move because his pants were falling off. When I got back from the fruitless discussion with the security guard the old guy was fumbling with his belt while the other helpful people just kinda stood there.

So I grabbed his belt, hiked up his pants, buckled the belt. He complained I hadn't done it right, but seriously. I'm not nice, or anything. In fact, I'm downright grumpy. His pants were up, trauma was averted.

The cops took my name and number in case a report needs to be filed, but I'm sure nothing will come of it. I'm kinda curious about how it all turns out, but mostly I just want to leave the moment be. I don't do stuff like that because I mean to get involved. I do it because there's an imbalance that needs to be addressed and I can. In the moment.

It's probably not any consolation, but my dad is involved in 2 regional search & rescue groups that are totally volunteer staffed, and thoroughly professional. They don't even have to wait for the authority's wait time, they go out as soon as it is reported.

I have a fear of witnessing a stranger collapse. Because I have NOTHING to offer, not even a cell (I don't usually carry it.) I can't imagine walking away, but I've never been tested. OTOH, I've called 911 for neighbors and ended up subpoened in a DV case where I'd seen something involving a relative stranger (though I couldn't identify anyone, just the circs), so maybe I'd have the guts to do something.

I think people don't act or don't want to get involved because they don't know what to do. It's a weird thing.

Gear question: Do any of you have or have any of you used a Flip Video? There's a great side by side comparison of the Flip Video and a much higher end camcorder.

I saw a guy get hit by a car once. Someone shouted that they were a nurse and went to his side, so I peeled off and called 911. I think that's the only 911 call I've made. I know now that I should have told the onlookers that I was going to call, but mostly I was motivated to not be one of the people staring slackjawed at him. It was kinda horrible, but I'm sure he was okay in the end.

I do have CPR training, but it's rusty. That would be the test--would I give a complete stranger mouth to mouth without any tools? I'd do chest compressions and clearing the airway as much as I could remember, but the bit with the spit--I'd need to be in the moment to know how that would come out.

Jessica mentioned Flip videothingummie in Buffistechnology. And I think Rob answered her question. So that's two.

The locals seem to do better here. We had a guy outside the library that was not well. And did not speak English. Someone who had a smattering of his language got the word diabetes and had had little food. Someone gave her kids McDonald's dinner to him. His family was called, because he wouldn't let us call the ambulance. Now, we did find out why he was so ill. The bag with the empty bottle was the clue. But whatever, people helped.

Do any of you have or have any of you used a Flip Video?

I think Jessica might have one? And she knows this shit. I've played around, and found them endearingly easy and fun, but I've never done any real comparisons.