A dear friend of mine, Matt Kane, was a survivor of Flight 1549. I asked him to give me his thoughts on his experience.
As a survivor of flight 1549 I believe preparation and emotional control were the key to our survival. It starts with the crew, especially Capt Sully. Their ability to make critical/correct decisions throughout the experience was key to the final outcome. The first thing he and the crew did was face their reality. They were not immune to their fear, but they did not allow it to control them. It was all about the question what is next. They were able to control the panic and tap into their emotional benchmark.
Both the crew and the survivors of flight 1549 were prepared for the situation. The crews years of experience allowed them to make critical decisions and execution. The passengers were not overcome by fear and panic, but were prepared by inflating lift vests, opening exit doors and existing in an orderly controlled fashion.
I can make these comments with the upmost confidence based on the fact that I experience this from seat 24 A with water up to my waist before the exit doors were open. We were prepared for the situation, we did not panic and survived.