Panic is not a plan: Why good people freeze when it matters most

When crisis strikes, the human brain can shut down, leading to a dangerous freeze response rather than the expected fight or flight, according to Sola Ogundipe writing for Vanguard.

This neurological paralysis occurs when the brain is flooded with adrenaline during an emergency. Without a practiced response, individuals struggle to process the situation, often looking to others for direction. This inaction is amplified in crowded Nigerian environments by the bystander effect, where the presence of many people ironically dilutes individual responsibility, leading everyone to assume someone else will act.

To overcome this freeze, willpower and adrenaline alone are insufficient. The key to decisive action lies in a rehearsed response. Those who act effectively in emergencies have practiced until their actions become instinctual. Public readiness mirrors this discipline, requiring the breakdown of chaos into immediate, specific tasks.

Instead of a general plea for help, individuals should assign direct commands, such as "You, go to the security desk" or "You, find an AED." This breaks the bystander effect and transforms a disorganized crowd into a structured response. Panic thrives on a lack of clarity; a simple framework and practiced response replace terror with action, protecting the brain from overwhelming fear.