Difference between revisions of "Survive an Abduction or Hostage Situation"
108.49.124.115 (108.49.124.115) |
m (Text replacement - "[[Category: D" to "[[Category:D") |
||
| (5 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| − | + | One minute you're getting in your car to go to work and the next you're bound and gagged in the back of a speeding van. For most people, being kidnapped or held hostage is a terrifying experience. And it happens that fast. Sometimes so fast that you can't even [[Thwart an Abduction Attempt|attempt to escape your abductor(s)]]. Fortunately, most kidnapping victims are released unharmed, mostly fairly quickly. Make no mistake though: any abduction can turn deadly, and whether or not the victim survives depends largely on decisions he or she makes while in captivity. | |
[[Category:Disaster Preparedness]] | [[Category:Disaster Preparedness]] | ||
== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
| Line 5: | Line 5: | ||
#Regain your composure. Your adrenaline will be pumping, your heart will be pounding and you will be terrified. Calm down. The sooner you can regain your composure the better off you will be immediately and in the long run. | #Regain your composure. Your adrenaline will be pumping, your heart will be pounding and you will be terrified. Calm down. The sooner you can regain your composure the better off you will be immediately and in the long run. | ||
#Be observant. Right from the start, you should try to observe and remember as much as possible in order to help you plan an escape, predict your abductor's next moves, or give information to the police to aid in a rescue or to help apprehend and convict the kidnapper. You may not be able to use your eyes - you may be blindfolded, but you can still gather information with your senses of hearing, touch and smell. | #Be observant. Right from the start, you should try to observe and remember as much as possible in order to help you plan an escape, predict your abductor's next moves, or give information to the police to aid in a rescue or to help apprehend and convict the kidnapper. You may not be able to use your eyes - you may be blindfolded, but you can still gather information with your senses of hearing, touch and smell. | ||
| − | #*Observe your captor(s): | + | #*Observe your captor(s): |
#**How many are there? | #**How many are there? | ||
#**Are they armed? If so, with what? | #**Are they armed? If so, with what? | ||
| Line 13: | Line 13: | ||
#**Do they seem well-prepared? | #**Do they seem well-prepared? | ||
#**What are their emotional states? | #**What are their emotional states? | ||
| − | #*Observe your surroundings: | + | #*Observe your surroundings: |
#**Where are you being taken? Visualize the route the abductors take. Make note of turns, stops and variations in speed. Try to gauge the amount of time between points. Try counting between each turn, e.g 128 left, 12 right. If you are familiar with the area, this can give you an advantage. | #**Where are you being taken? Visualize the route the abductors take. Make note of turns, stops and variations in speed. Try to gauge the amount of time between points. Try counting between each turn, e.g 128 left, 12 right. If you are familiar with the area, this can give you an advantage. | ||
#**Where are you being held? Take in as much detail as possible about your surroundings. Where are the exits? Are there cameras in place, a lock on the door or other security precautions? Are there any obstacles, such as a large couch? Try to figure out where you are and gather information that may be helpful if you decide to escape. | #**Where are you being held? Take in as much detail as possible about your surroundings. Where are the exits? Are there cameras in place, a lock on the door or other security precautions? Are there any obstacles, such as a large couch? Try to figure out where you are and gather information that may be helpful if you decide to escape. | ||
| − | #*Observe yourself: | + | #*Observe yourself: |
#**Are you injured or wounded? | #**Are you injured or wounded? | ||
#**How are you bound or otherwise incapacitated? How much freedom of movement do you have? | #**How are you bound or otherwise incapacitated? How much freedom of movement do you have? | ||
| Line 34: | Line 34: | ||
#Ask for small favors. If you're settled in for a long captivity, gradually ask for small accommodations. Request a heavier blanket, for example, or a newspaper. Keep requests small, at least initially, and space them far apart. You can make your captivity more comfortable and make yourself more human to your captors. | #Ask for small favors. If you're settled in for a long captivity, gradually ask for small accommodations. Request a heavier blanket, for example, or a newspaper. Keep requests small, at least initially, and space them far apart. You can make your captivity more comfortable and make yourself more human to your captors. | ||
#Blend in. If you are held with other captives, you don't want to stand out, especially not as a troublemaker. | #Blend in. If you are held with other captives, you don't want to stand out, especially not as a troublemaker. | ||
| − | #Watch out for warning signs. If your captors decide to kill you, you need to know as soon as possible so that you can plan an escape. If they suddenly stop feeding you, if they treat you more harshly (dehumanizing you), if they suddenly seem desperate or frightened, or if other hostages are being released but your captors don't appear to intend to release you, be ready to make your best move. If they suddenly stop hiding their identities after wearing masks etc, this is a very strong sign that they are planning to kill you, so escape as quickly as possible. | + | #Watch out for warning signs. If your captors decide to kill you, you need to know as soon as possible so that you can plan an escape. If they suddenly stop feeding you, if they treat you more harshly (dehumanizing you), if they suddenly seem desperate or frightened, or if other hostages are being released but your captors don't appear to intend to release you, be ready to make your best move. If they suddenly stop hiding their identities after wearing masks etc, this is a very strong sign that they are planning to kill you, so escape as quickly as possible. |
#Try to escape only if the time is right. When is the right time to escape? Sometimes it's safest to just wait to be freed or rescued. However, if the perfect situation presents itself - if you have a solid plan and are almost certain that you can successfully escape - you should take advantage of the opportunity. You should also attempt to escape, even if your chances are not good, if you are reasonably certain that your captors are going to kill you. | #Try to escape only if the time is right. When is the right time to escape? Sometimes it's safest to just wait to be freed or rescued. However, if the perfect situation presents itself - if you have a solid plan and are almost certain that you can successfully escape - you should take advantage of the opportunity. You should also attempt to escape, even if your chances are not good, if you are reasonably certain that your captors are going to kill you. | ||
#Stay out of the way if a rescue attempt is made. Hooray - the cavalry is here! Before you get too excited, keep in mind that aside from the first few minutes of an abduction, the rescue attempt is the most dangerous time in a hostage situation. Your captors may become desperate and attempt to use you as a shield or they may simply decide to kill any hostages. Even if your captors are taken by surprise, you could be killed by the actions of police or soldiers, who may use explosives and heavy firepower to enter a building. When a rescue attempt occurs, try to hide from your captors, if possible. Stay low, and protect your head with your hands, or try to get behind some kind of protective barrier (under a desk or table, for example, or in a bathtub). Don't make sudden movements when armed rescuers burst in. | #Stay out of the way if a rescue attempt is made. Hooray - the cavalry is here! Before you get too excited, keep in mind that aside from the first few minutes of an abduction, the rescue attempt is the most dangerous time in a hostage situation. Your captors may become desperate and attempt to use you as a shield or they may simply decide to kill any hostages. Even if your captors are taken by surprise, you could be killed by the actions of police or soldiers, who may use explosives and heavy firepower to enter a building. When a rescue attempt occurs, try to hide from your captors, if possible. Stay low, and protect your head with your hands, or try to get behind some kind of protective barrier (under a desk or table, for example, or in a bathtub). Don't make sudden movements when armed rescuers burst in. | ||
