With all due respect, I totally disagree. You would be surprised what young children are capable of in emergency situations and with some basic training and supplies, they can accomplish amazing things under less then ideal conditions.

I have 3 daughters, 23, 20 and 11. All three have been taught basic first aid and have been carrying FSKs (including to school) since they were Brownies (Girl Scouts); the two older ones have been Life Guards since they were 15. The oldest is an ARC Life Guard, CPR and First Aid Instructor. I have been involved with GSA since my youngest was a Brownie and have always provided all the girls in the 3 troops in which my wife has been a leader with basic first aid training and FAKs, so I believe I have a pretty good idea what scared children are capable of in emergency situations.

In fact, as a Fire Fighter/Paramedic I have seen children behave more rationally during a crisis then many adults. It is often later, after the event, that children will have posttraumatic reactions and require comforting and love.

Pete