All the training I learned in boy scouts, heard from survivalist, people who have survived outrageous circumstances by their own choosing and actions did not attribute their success to panic, but the opposite, keeping a clear head.

It's likely we can find stories of people panicing and surviving, sure. But can a paniced person (one overwhelmed with intoxicating fear) help others? No.

A drowning person will also drown their own lifeguard to attempt to save themselves. This is a well established fact that all trained lifeguards know.

Panic causes irrational and often self destructive choices. And often hurt others.