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That time the trench wall collapsed and I froze for a solid 5 seconds
Was out near Flagstaff on a volunteer dig last October, and we were clearing a test pit when the sand just gave way. I grabbed the trowel and backed up fast before the guy next to me even noticed. Has anyone else had that split-second panic where your brain just blanks?
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jamesf412d ago
Man that "split-second panic where your brain just blanks" hits hard. I had something similar happen on a job in Utah back in 2019 where I was helping with a trench near an old cliff dwelling and a big rock shifted above me. My mind went totally empty for like two or three seconds before I dove sideways. I think it's that weird survival mode where your body knows what to do but your brain has to catch up first. It's like the panic signal gets sent but the "run" command has to download first or something. Getting that frozen feeling is scary but it's also proof your instincts are working even if your conscious brain is lagging.
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eric_knight72d ago
Is that download delay what keeps us alive though? In my experience, that lag feels terrifying but it's actually your body buying time to pick the right move instead of just flailing. I've read that evolution wired us to freeze briefly because in the wild, sudden movement could attract predators or cause more rocks to fall. Your brain runs a quick risk assessment in that blank moment, even if it doesn't feel like it. Your mileage may vary, but I'd rather have that two second download than just react blindly and make things worse.
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phoenix_grant3411h ago
October 2021 near Tucson I had a bucket of dirt slip and a whole trench face come down about six feet from me. Stood there like a deer for a solid four seconds while sand piled up around my boots. That frozen moment feels like forever but it's really just your brain deciding whether to run or stay put. Better than panicking and doing something stupid that gets you buried deeper.
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