What does blocking out surroundings and having a blank expression indicate?

• A. Positive panic
• B. Calm efficiency
• C. Negative panic
• D. Total panic

Answer: (C)

In an emergency, how a person handles stress shows up in their level of awareness and expression. Blocking out surroundings and showing a blank face signals cognitive overload and disengagement—a form of negative panic where fear overwhelms the ability to process cues and act. This leaves situational awareness diminished and actions delayed or missed. It’s not calm efficiency, which means staying focused and following procedures, and it’s not the more extreme forms of panic that drive chaotic or indiscriminate action. In practice, this means the person is unlikely to reliably follow commands or perform tasks until someone helps re-engage them with clear, concise instructions and simple, stepwise actions.