Originally Posted by
birdstrike
There are some everyday activities that teach one to divorce emotional reaction from intellectual and physical action. Roped climbing, IFR flight training, scuba diving, automobile racing. . .
So, while I share your general pessimism, I think there is a reservoir of people unintentionally trained to suppress emotional reactions to stress. Hopefully we will be positively surprised if and when the need arises for them to take action in unfamiliar circumstances.
Heroes tend to respond spontaneously either as a result of training or just pure instinct with a whole bunch of luck on their side. Unlike the movies, however, heroes end up getting killed even if they do manage to save lives with their bravery.
I think what
lawdawg is politely saying (if I may be so bold) is that people who usually claim that they'll do this or that in tough situations are usually the first ones who freeze up in pure pant-pissing panic. For me, when I read some of the bravado posted in here, I just nod, smile and think, "uh huh, sure you will."
Nothing personal.