The Murderer Who Saved Hundreds

One report said Mr Bonilla had picked up keys dropped by a fleeing guard. Another said he had wrested keys from a guard paralysed by the horrifying sights and sounds. ''Shorty was the only one with honour,'' a survivor, said.

A fire in an overcrowded Central American jail demonstrates the two extremes of how the human psyche can respond to a stress event – generally referred to as “Fight or Flight”. The passage above details, whilst many guards were fleeing the chaos of this tragic event, and some even paralysed with terror, unable to process thought or act, another has an internal “call to arms” moment. He was able to think through the panic and save hundreds of lives.

What causes one person to become a “Flighter” whilst another becomes a “Fighter” in the same set of circumstances? There are many areas that can be investigated - academia on the subject, dissecting the actual emergency circumstances, or backgrounds of the people involved - far too extensive for a humble blog article.

What’s more immediately noteworthy is the fact that these extreme responses, and many levels in between, can (and will) present themselves in an emergency situation. The human response in “extreme” stress events can help or hinder the preservation of life. It’s a reminder why drills are so important and people participating in them are able to put themselves in the “What if” circumstances.

Our commitment (BTB), as should all organisations responsible for the safety of their employees, to ensuring drills are done consistently, with full participation and enthusiasm is non-negotiable.

Read the full story: http://www.smh.com.au/world/free-shorty-murderer-who-saved-hundreds-20120223-1tqio.html#ixzz1qx1ykvRI