It was also at that time, that I made an important
decision. I said to myself that “when” I get out of here, I would
develop an intensely comprehensive Anti-Kidnap & Hostage
Survival Program so that others would have the opportunity
to learn the mental and physical tactics and techniques to
avoid, evade, escape and survive any kidnapping situation.
When I did overtake my captors and escape in the
dark of night through the jungle, one of the first things I did
when I made it back to civilization was get a big pad of paper
and a few pens and I started writing out protocols for the
Anti-Kidnap & Hostage Survival program development.
I understood that soldiers and embassy personnel
were at great risk, but I also had to account for other people
Kidnapping can happen anywhere in any town, city
or country. You could be taken off the street, from your hotel,
at an airport or your home or from your vehicle. It will happen
rapidly and when it does you likely will be wrestling a number
of emotions including terror and fear.
Fear can be a paralyzing emotion, preventing you
from acting to the situation. Having the right mindset is
central to your abilities during and after the attack. As difficult
as it seems, you must adopt the “kill or be killed” mindset to
survive and escape that first sixty seconds of the attack.
Let’s face it; the majority of people are of good moral
character. They are law-abiding citizens and would like to
believe that if they are faced with a decision that involves
with a medium to high probability of risk because of position
travel or affluence as well.
I had a lifetime of extensive training and real world
experience in firearms, hostage rescue, weapon disarmament
techniques, edged and impact weapons, covert surveillance
and reconnaissance and low impact kinetics amongst other
unique skill sets, and these had become the foundation
with which I developed the anti-kidnap & hostage survival
program.
The 2008 movie “Taken” starring Liam Neeson
depicts all too well the absolute fear and horror seen and felt
by the young girl that was dragged from under her bed and
taken hostage by the Albanian crime syndicate.
defending their life in a kidnap or criminal situation, they
will defend themselves.
The problem with this is that most people associate their
survival in these circumstances with “self-defense”. Selfdefense is a commercially marketable terminology that is
used by the masses as a morally acceptable conveyance. Selfdefense implies that you are reacting to a situation. It infers
that an individual or group of individuals are attempting
to dominate, control, hurt and take you prisoner. It further
suggests that you are not prepared to “act” mentally and
physically, but merely trying to defend yourself and hope for
the best. Defense is feeble and at best reminds one of someone
who is weak, frail and scared!
Sadly and perhaps even considered morally reprehensible,
the way that you will survive kidnapping is to take on the
mindset of violence. Remember it is fear that paralyzes you
and prevents you from acting. The fear that you will suffer
pain, the fear that you will not see your family again, and the
fear that if you even try to do something to prevent this attack
you will be hurt or killed. The reality is you must use all of
your fears and turn them into your greatest strengths when
confronted with a kidnapping.
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