I panic too, and b/c of my job I can't always bail when I need to. I have learned a little trick (compliments of my OCD) that I use that works quite well for me. I tap. LOL I know ok, it sounds nuts, but it works well WITH the panic while it's happening and also lets me change the RYTHM of the panic. For example, when you start to panic, tap your hand or even just your fingers on something in time with your panic (heartbeat, whatever) and then when you find your rythm, RESET it. Take away one beat. I tap my fingers against each other, both hands at the same time, like this; thumb & forefinger, thumb & middle, thumb & ring, and finally thumb & pinky. And then I reverse it and do it backwards. Once I'm aware, then I eliminate ONE set. . .you'd be amazed how secretively you can do this and how well it works at DISTRACTING you from your panic and helping you to reset yourself.
Anyway, that's my two cents worth.