Howdy Organfreak.
Given the evidence, that the yoke was certain salvation, and nothing of consequence happened, you are correct in assuming some sort of hard to explain vector of behaviour. I count three times that I was very close to dying, once in a hang glider.
I did everything I could do, in all three situations, and each time I experienced a very calm feeling; in looking back, I could not have done anything differently.
BTW. I'd like to recapture that feeling, and like most humans make it my way of life. But without the danger.....