Number one rule "DON"T PANIC"

Well I'm back from holidays and how did the snorkeling go you ask. The setting couldn't have been better, 38 degrees c. a light ocean breeze and endless ocean to explore. My older kids were diving (scuba) and my husband myself and our six year old were going to snorkel, a perfect combination I thought. Every one gets to do something new and exciting.We all got into the water and everything was going as planned until Lacey put her face into the water. One look at all those fish, close enough to touch her and she tried to climb out the water through any means available to her. I tried to calm her down but after ten minutes realized she was beyond reason. We got out of the water. I held her in my arms until she came back to her senses and put the snorkeling off for another trip.
I can't help relate this back to my own training. I have over 12 years of training in the martial arts and have never had to use it in any physical way. The first few years of training I use to dream about getting into a fight and not remembering what I had to do, or having no power to engage in the brawl. Lacey's panic sparked a familiar doubt in the back of my mind. The mindless reaction, the way you loss the ability to think, or to reason your way through the situation.I know the number one rule in the Martial arts is "don't panic" God, I hope this is not easier said than done. I also strongly wise I never have to find out.
Linda Shipalesky
Silent River Kung Fu Stony Plain Alberta Canada