For a while I've been trying to read around topics that seem related to highly effective behavior with an eye towards figuring out which data structures and algorithms might implement it successfully.

I'm not sure how much the construct you're calling "ability-to-react" actually exists as a coherent thing but you might find a pre-existing vocabulary you can point to by reading around subjects like: flow (the mental state of being absorbed in successful coping), tacit knowledge (the tricky to describe skills frequently deployed when coping), situational awareness (required to notice terrible things while there's still time to do something about them), and maybe stress (to drill into the physiology triggered by crazy situations).

For a less academically stuffy exemplar who embodies the whole package, maybe check out the grizzled veteran :-)