Which is true! We're exceptionally good at dropping our immediate self and responding to an emergency! At least that's what I read somewhere.

Today I had a front passenger side tire detread at 70 mph on the freeway. Rubber and car body parts were flying everywhere. Instead of panicking and waiting to crash, I went into high alert, maneuvered through traffic and brought the vehicle to a stop on the side of the road. I was in such a seriously calm state of mind, I could of emergency landed the space shuttle. You can say that is normal.

I came up on a crash in the woods once where a car was sideways into a tree. The driver was thrown head first into a tree, and you can see brain matter oozing out of the hole in his head. He was barely breathing. Another victim was running around covered in blood. I switched into this serious first responder kind of mode and orchestrated the care and recovery of the victims, even though looking at police was not in my best interest. I got EMTs on the way, tried to stabilize the brain dead one which exhaled his last breath in my arms, and take care of the other hurt victim. When the real ones showed up, I was able to leave. Was it adrenaline? No. I remained calm, cool, collected, and defintely wasn't myself because later I was shaking wondering what just happened. I of course have no accident training that I know of. It was like a whole new me took charge of the situation and did it.

Anyone else experience superhero switching?

[unaluna]

Thats a good way to put it, superhero switching! I had a couple of close calls driving where i dont know how i got out of it - people changed lanes into me and i magically got out of the way. And when my dad died, i was definitely in an altered state of consciousness - really heightened awareness - for almost a week. I wish i could have stayed there, it was great.

I have a teenage alter who slips into emergency mode really well and nothing phases her.

[TheFuZZieONE]

Wow always changing2,I can't say I've ever done that! But I hope if that situation ever happened to me, that I too would be able to instinctively know what to do. Awesome!

Can I steal that phrase? We have always been great in ERs. The next day or so every body is fine, I'm acting like they did when it happened. Friends call me in all kinds of ERs cuz we so calm & collected & know what to do.

[Ocean5]

Originally Posted by AlwaysChanging2

I remained calm, cool, collected,

I've always been considered the calm collected one in bad situations since kid. Once in college when I was an RA resident of my floor was trying to attempt suicide. I responded better than Campus Police (actually they made things worse after I calmed situation.)

But in life-death situations regarding myself I do change...... I am very calm when others are panicking (near plane crash and major earthquake.) Well...after both incidents people gave me "very strange looks" with my remarks...like are you insane? What's wrong with you? I responded like a kid with "that was fun" and wasn't phased by events. While others are crying, shaking, in shock, etc.

Doctor says this is positive benefit. When others panic - I go opposite.

I'd prefer that than panic like most people during those life-death incidents. Strange thing is I remember it all... Guess that's co-consciousness.

[Kiya]

i'm at my best when there's a crisis. yup. Suuuuper Kiya! Nerves of steel, calm of mind, organizing tasks, delegating. (then fall apart later). I cupped a woman's head (putting my palm between the ground and her head) while she bled all over it from taking a serious fall and drop to the ragged cement. I was driving, saw her trip and fall (leave the ground) back down the hill and her head bounce on the uneven walk. I pulled my car over, put the emergency lights on, grabbed phone and keys, assessed her, told her who I was and that I would help her, called 911.... I was fine until the EMTs showed up. then went into shock, staring at my bloodied hand and the pool of it running down the walk, while they all ignored me and left with the woman.