The dual-edged dread of being forced either to damage an expensive costume in an attempt to escape, or to ask for the help of people you'd prefer remained unaware of your hobby? Yes, that can be quite terrifying.
Or was your concern more a case of hampered breathing?

Asking for help is the absolute last resort. ABSOLUTE.
I wouldn't destroy my suits just to escape, unless I was extremely desparate, but that is a razor's edge.
But yeah. Hearing a pull-tab break is the most stomach-dropping sound I've experienced.

Eeeeesh - I can imagine that'd be the kind of sound that sends a tonne of lead horror right into the pit of your stomach.
I hope extricating yourself from the offending garment wasn't too much of a hassle, and that this kind of situation never crops up for you again - even in the company of fellow costumers, it'd probably be a bit embarrassing.

It was a bit difficult. I had to use the tip of a pocket knife to pull the tab down to extract myself.

That must have been quite a deft bit of contortion. Hopefully your zips remain intact from here on out.
Which suit was it, if I might ask?

Open-face silver zentai, used in the robodog fursuit photos

Aah, right. Is it still usable, or will you need a replacement?

It's fine, i just had to jerry-rig some pull tabs. Blech,

Ah, right. Here's hoping they function less alarmingly than the tabs they replace.

Maybe they should have two zippers, like some coats or luggage so that when one breaks, you've got a backup.

It did.
They both broke.

Velcro?

It's not the right kind of fabric for that I'm afraid.

HAHAHAHA Oh well life happens! You just have to keep moving forward there dear heart.

I do, Miss Femm.

Thankfully, it's never happened to me. But, I can whole heartedly sympathize.

sounds like a hassle

Oh, it was.

Awh jeeze that's the worst and I've never even had it happen with something with a back zipper.

It compares in my mind to having an accessory or component get caught somewhere difficult.... I once had some chains on a pair of tripp pants get lodged in a park bench. It took me half an hour to get loose.

Oh god I've had that happen at work with a keychain getting caught in seat reclining mechanisms

Isn't it the worst? Ughhhhh....

Also, when seatbelt retractors attempt to eat my mane c.c

Looooooooooo-

-oooooooooooL

Been in that situation before when I was wearing a one piece under suit for an old costume of mine. We had the luxury of having someone close by with a cosplay repair kit complete with safety pins. Problem happened when I was heading to the bathroom. Let me tell ya, 10 lbs of plastic hip armor gets reeeeally imposing once you realize all that weight is going to have to rest on a full bladder after about a bomber of beer and a large bottle of sake till after someone gets off their 20min. Shift....

glad you made it out

man, last time I got tangled in something, I got both arms caught and losing circulation - plus I was starting to overheat XD
I knew I only had a limmitted time to fight my way out before I either couldn't articulate my arms anymore of passed out