Even an Aes Sedai, relatively untrained compared to a Forsaken, would have automatically embraced the Power, and had one or two weaves ready to neutralize a threat.

Rand himself channels fast enough to A) create a cushion for Egwene, Aviendha and himself while falling to save them after Sammael destroyed the tower they were battling from and B) catch an arrow before it hit him by encasing it in a silvery mass of Air.

Channeling doesn't take that long if you are extremely experienced with using the Power and weaving. Even balefire, which is frightfully complicated, can be woven, aimed and fired within moments by any channeling member of the primary cast.