I think there's a difference in doing something risky for the thrill of it, and doing it for the sake of helping others. If the scenario you posted was done because he thought he was invincible, then yeah, that's stupid. But if it was done with the mentality of saving another, I'd say that's heroic. Again, and I'm not trying to be stubborn/naive/immature, but isn't that preoccupation with 'not letting yourself be stupid about it' contradictory with the dangerous aspect of an activity?
One is reckless the other is not. People will make excuses about being caught up in the moment etc, but if they really understood what was on the line, most of them wouldn't do it at all. The thing about risk is hat you need to approach it systematically. I didn't jump on the back of an 1100 CC sport bike my first time out. I worked up to it, got good and when I got the bike I went in with both eyes open. That's what really takes guts, by the way, it's knowing what can happen and doing it anyhow. That's my point about the guy, too. He could have looked out for himself and still got those guys to safety - just like the oxygen mask on the airplane, yous first and then someone else's. If you go down, the other person is going down anyhow. You can help more people by taking care of yourself and then helping.
I think we're getting into a different discussion here. I believe I'd sacrifice my own life in order to save another. But I have no idea, I've never been in that circumstance. Ah, I see your point. Good analogy with the airplane mask.
I agree with you on this part. And while I can see that it was reckless now, it still seems heroic to me. At least to some extent.