In support of that line of thought - In most unexpected/unplanned situation, even those with life or death consequences, the average person will spend the first second or two denying the event is taking place. Only after that will they think about the actions they should be taking, then followed by taking some form of action. That is why student pilots are drilled by their instructors so intensely on the subject of losing power on takeoff. At that very vulnerable point in a flight, there is close to zero time for thinking or reflection. The actions have to be both quick and correct, and I doubt that the Hunley crew had ever practiced an emergency surfacing drill. Becoming partially disabled by either the shock of the torpedo explosion, by the reversal of the control surfaces (since they were trying to back away from the Union ship), and/or any sticking release levers would have undone them.
They were too close to the blast, and killed instantly.