He did punch the 180 button… but he was already in the clouds. Wrong time to make that choice. It only makes things far worse if you try a 180 when you first enter IIMC.
Fly straight (because you should have an idea of what is in front of you) with a slow climb (so you don’t hit the ground) when you feel in control on instruments, 7700 goes in the box (so you don’t hit something in the air).
Controllers will move every away from you. Don’t call for clearance. This isn’t a planned instrument flight. Don’t think they haven’t noticed you are scud running, and you think you can get away with it. The only thing you need to get away with is your life. The controllers need to know there is a problem, and 7700 sets off that alarm to them.