How to Survive an Abduction or Hostage Situation

 

It’s really scary to think about being abducted or taken hostage, but knowing how you should handle the situation can help you feel calm and focused if it does happen. While the best thing you can do is to avoid an attack in the first place, if someone attempts to kidnap you, try to get away before they can incapacitate you. If you are taken into captivity, comply with your kidnappers and observe your surroundings until you can escape or be rescued.

Fighting off an Attack

1. Run away from someone who tries to take you if you can. If you’re ever in a situation where someone tries to abduct you, do anything you can to avoid going with them. Try to pull away from them, then run as fast as you can in the direction of the nearest people or building that you can see. Especially avoid getting into a vehicle, since it will be much harder for authorities to find you if your attacker drives you a long distance. If you’re taken hostage, the situation may unfold very quickly, and you might not have the opportunity to run.
2. Yell to draw attention to the situation. If someone makes an attempt to kidnap you, start shouting right away, especially if you know there are people nearby. Even if the attackers manage to subdue you, keep yelling to try to get someone’s attention. If someone hears a shout and they see what’s happening, they may be able to help you before you’re taken away. Try yelling something like, ‘Help!’ or ‘Call the police!’ As a suggestion, yelling, ‘FIRE!!’ is your best bet. People are more likely to respond to fire, and this can summon help faster. At the very least, an onlooker can contact the authorities and let them know that an abduction has taken place. They may also provide critical details like the kidnapper’s physical appearance or the type of vehicle they’re driving. They may really try to get the license plate to see if the car was stolen or to see if it is really their car.
3. Fight your attacker as hard as you can. It is really hard not to panic, but if you can stay calm and focused on survival, you may be able to fight off an attack if someone grabs you. Fight in any way you’re able, whether that’s hitting, kicking, biting, or scratching. As you do that, try to target your kidnapper’s eyes, nose, throat, or groin, as these are especially sensitive targets. As long as there’s still a chance you could break free and run, it’s worth fighting for. This is your best chance to escape, because the moment it is hectic, and there’s a chance someone will see what’s happening and intervene.
4. Look for objects in your environment to use as weapons. As you’re fighting off your attacker, try to gather yourself enough to scan around you. Look for anything that’s close enough to grab that might give you an edge in the fight. If there’s nothing that you can use as an offensive weapon, check for anything you can use as a barrier between you and your attacker, like a chair or a table. For instance, even if your attacker knocks you down, you might spot a loose chunk of sidewalk that you can grab to hit them with. In your home, you might be able to grab a heavy vase or lamp, a fireplace poker, or even a large book.

Dealing with Being Captured

1. Follow your captors’ instructions once you are in captivity. If at any point it becomes clear that your captors have gained the upper hand, stop resisting right away and comply with any orders they give you. You’re more likely to be hurt or killed if you continue fighting after you’re overpowered such as if you’re being held by multiple people, put in restraints, or placed in a vehicle or other confined space. Once you’re abducted or taken hostage, it’s best to take a measured approach to escaping, rather than an impulsive one, so start evaluating the surroundings rather than fighting to get away. If you’re put into a vehicle while you’re conscious, try to pay attention to as much about the trip as you can, like how long the car travels without stopping, the direction of any turns, or any sounds you notice on the road. If you’re in the trunk of a car, look for a glow-in-thedark handle that you can pull to release yourself from the trunk. If this release cord isn’t present, try to kick out the tail lights and wave your hands to alert other motorists that you’re trapped inside.
2. Stay calm and focused on survival. It might be really hard, but once you’re taken captive, try to dig deep within yourself to find your composure. Try to hold onto your dignity, rather than crying hysterically or begging for them to let you go. That will make you seem more human in your kidnappers’ eyes, which may make them less likely to kill you. If you can help it, try not to even cry. When you’re talking to the person who’s abducted you or taken you hostage, speak softly and clearly. Don’t be belligerent or uncooperative. If you antagonize your captors, they may be more likely to attack or even kill you.
3. Try to connect with your kidnappers, but don’t pretend to support them. It can help talk to your kidnappers about universal subjects like families, your hobbies, or sports. However, don’t go so far as to try to befriend the captors or defend their cause. They’re likely to see this as a ruse, which could anger them. If there’s anything you want or need, like medication or a book, calmly ask for it – it might help establish some rapport. During conversations with your captors, avoid the subject of politics or religion, especially if you are being held by terrorists. If you have pictures of your family with them, you can even show them to your captors to help them see you as more of a person, rather than just a victim.
4. Observe as much of your environment as you can. While you’re in captivity, pay attention to every detail. This might include how many people are holding you, their physical descriptions, and any exits in the place you’re being held. You might spot something that helps you escape, or you might be able to provide authorities with key information that will lead them to your captors after you’re rescued. Even if you’re blindfolded or it’s dark, you might be able to pick up on sounds or smells that can give you clues to your location. For instance, if you hear a lot of traffic, you’ll know that you might be able to find help if you can just escape the building. Other details to notice about your captors might include their accents, their names or aliases, and who seems to be in charge. If they seem to follow the same routine each day, make note of that as well.
5. Do not admit to accusations if you’re interrogated. In some cases, you might be taken hostage or abducted because your captors believe that you have information they could use for political or personal gain. No matter what they do, don’t divulge any information that can be used against you. However, do try to act like you’re being cooperative. For instance, you might answer questions about your line of work without divulging your company’s bank account numbers.
6. Find a way to communicate if there are other captives. If you’re taken hostage as part of a group, or if you discover that your captives have also abducted others, try to set up some way to communicate. However, avoid speaking openly amongst yourselves in front of your captors, as they may separate, restrain, or even kill some members of the group in an attempt to subdue everyone. You might speak quietly amongst yourselves when the kidnappers are out of the room for instance, or you might tap out a message if you know Morse Code. It may be helpful to set up a code word in case the opportunity to escape arises.
7. Prepare yourself to be held for a long time. Depending on the situation, you may be held for only a few hours, but you might be there for days, months, or even years. As you begin to adjust to your situation, try to develop a daily schedule, tracking time by outside cues like birds chirping, temperature changes in the room, or even your guards’ activities. Even if it doesn’t seem very appetizing, eat whatever food they give you so you’ll stay healthy and strong. Try to use flexing exercises like planks and squats to keep your muscles strong. Many of these can be adapted to work even if you have a very small range of movement. Meditation or prayer can be a good way to keep yourself mentally strong while you’re being held. Fortunately, the longer your captors hold you, the more your chances of survival increase.
8. Wait to be rescued unless you are sure you can escape safely. In case of captivity, you’re most likely to be killed if your captors discover you trying to escape. If you see an opportunity to escape and you’re absolutely sure it can work, take it. However, if that’s not the case, bide your time. Tracking an abduction victim or negotiating with hostage-takers can take a lot of work, so it’s important to be patient and allow the authorities to find you. Similarly, if you gain access to a phone, only try to dial emergency services if you’re sure you can do it unnoticed. An exception to waiting for rescue is if you believe your captors are planning to kill you. For instance, if they suddenly stop feeding you or if they seem very nervous or scared, your life may be in danger, and you should find any way out you can. If you do escape, get somewhere safe right away, like a police station or a crowded building.
9. Follow the authorities’ directions if you’re rescued. If you’re found by the authorities, there will likely be several chaotic moments where they have to determine who’s a kidnapper and who’s a victim. For your safety, get low to the ground with your hands behind your head or crossed in front of your chest. Don’t run, and don’t make any sudden movements. As the authorities secure the scene, they may handcuff and search you. Allow them to do this, then let them know that you’ve been abducted.
10. See a doctor for medical attention as soon as possible. Once you escape or you’re rescued, you need to be evaluated by a doctor for any physical trauma you might have incurred as a result of the abduction. However, it’s equally as important to talk to a mental health professional to help you process your experience, as well. Ideally find a therapist who specializes in trauma to ensure you get the care you need.
11. Coping with anxiety about kidnapping. Three things prominently can make a huge difference in coping with the anxiety related to kidnapping and they are (a) Remind yourself that kidnapping is uncommon when you start to feel anxious, (b) Take steps to be prepared in case a kidnapping attempt does occur and (c) Stay aware of your surroundings.

Stockholm syndrome

It is a syndrome used to describe a paradoxical psychological phenomenon wherein hostage express excessive admiration or praise & positive feelings towards their captors (kidnapers/ abductors). These appear to be irrational in the light of the danger or risk endured by the victims essentially mistaking a lack of abuse as an act of kindness.

Conclusion

With this I close this discussion having attempted to touch upon all possible aspects related to the hostage situation starting from the phases of the hostage situation and activity pattern during hostage situation, dynamics of negotiation skills, strategy to prepare for hostage situation and what corporates need to do and finally how to survive an abduction. I feel entire canvas and spectrum appears to be covered.

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