We are never truly prepared for a catastrophic event, but we spend a lot of time worrying about what we will do in one situation or another. As humans, just like animals, we are equipped with survival skills; even if sometimes our brain does not always choose the right answer. The human brain looks at different tendencies during a life-threatening event or situation. Situational awareness and normality bias are two main tendencies that manifest during disasters or extreme stress situations. These responses are not only obtained from experiencing a traumatic event, but also from engaging in high-risk activities such as skydiving and skiing. In the following paragraphs I will explain how the brain responds to disasters and risky situations and how this can be a matter of survival or death. We all respond in different ways when disaster strikes. But there are a few key things that happen to everyone at an event. In the first chapter of The Unthinkable, Zedeno states that she was overcome by a feeling of peace and calm when she found herself trapped in a World Trade Center elevator during the attempted car explosion trapped. During the events of September 11, Zedeno also noted that she observed colleagues making phone calls and turning off their computers, without realizing the urgency of the situation. In most cases, people fall into a sort of fog where they have difficulty focusing on the reality of the situation. This tendency is called normality bias. This “fog” leads people to underestimate the disaster and its effects. People also tend to interpret warnings as optimistically as possible, making the situation less serious (Spalding). Our brains often perceive danger in the middle of a sheet of paper......om/2006/09/29/world/americas/29iht-profile.2981944.html?pagewanted=2&_r=2>.Spalding, Steven . “Normality bias.” How to split an atom. August 29, 2010. the web. December 3, 2010. Swink, David F. “Adrenaline Rushes: Can They Help Us Cope with a Real Crisis?” ". Threat management. Psychology Today, January 31, 2010. Web. December 3, 2010. “Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia the free encyclopedia, 02/12/2010. Internet. December 3, 2010. "Survival Stories #4: Uruguay Air Force Andean Rugby Team Flight 571 Disaster." Tip. Spike.com, August 29, 2009. Web. December 4 2010. .