Excellent points all around Matt.

I have seen people freeze in situtations that seemed too complex. Apparently they did not think of small steps to the ultimate goal.

During our earthquake in 2001, I took a look around my work area and found 3 visitors to our building under the desk by the exit. They spoke no English and I had to nearly drag them out from under the desk to the exit. They had were uninjured but frozen, being in an unfamiliar building in an earthquake just put them far enough out of their element to be able to respond.

Once down the stairs we hooked up with their translator and all was better.

Their mental state seemed to just not allow action.