As I came closer to the tidal pools, I could make out a mass of people clustered on the opposite side. A thousand little fears flew through my brain. Now, when confronted with a real emergency, the EMT, the firefighter, the police officer, and the lifeguard experience a transition of sorts. Every action and every thought is cut down to exactly what is needed and no more. For a short period of time, the rescuer goes into a sort of trance, becoming a machine devoted entirely to the matter at hand.
Nothing is sped up.
That might lead to error. So everything that isn't absolutely necessary is cut out. Every action is deliberate. Every word is direct. Every thought is efficient.