What if your best isn't good enough?

In 1975 I gained my bronze medal in lifesaving. I know this because my Mother found it recently and gave it back to me. Of course I remember doing the test and getting a cloth badge for it but the medal was a surprise. What I most remember, though, was the tester saying that she had passed me but if I saw someone in trouble then I should hope someone else would save them. Looking back on it I imagine if I was so bad that she must have been tempted to fail me - but, having passed me, should she have said what she did? Surely it would be better for someone to do something even if ultimately they were unsuccessful than do nothing?