I've been having a series of out-of-nowhere panic attacks.
My first tip to get them back in your control is to do the distraction method.
I am working full time (love my job), so the best thing for me to do is to slip on a rubber band round my wrist. OK it looks a little odd, as I'm pinging away, but it helps me bring me back to reality. I hate that surreal 'weird' feeling - half way between a faint and the OMG I'm dying feeling.
The best thing about the rubber band is that you can actually snap it against your wrist while talking to people. You can also leave it there and in some way, feel protected by it. You can keep wearing it for as long as it gives you comfort.