Every captivity situation will be unique. The suggestions
below will be applicable to the majority:
• Always try to develop a rapport with the captors. Try to get
them to see you as a human being, a member of a family.
• Maintain your dignity and self-respect always.
• Avoid any dialogue that broaches subjects such as politics
and religion. Do not antagonize the captors.
• Cooperate during interrogation. Refrain from any hostility
towards your captors.
• Do not volunteer or disclose any information that could
potentially be used against you.
• Try to communicate with other captives and with the
captors. Find ways to communicate with one another even if
you are held apart. Always consider your own safety first and
that of your fellow captives. If you get a sense that attempts at
verbal or non-verbal communication is too risky, then do not
jeopardize safety.
• Plan on staying. You may be moved around for a time, but in
most situations there will be a final place of internment. Try to
keep track of time. Many times your captors will do everything
in their power to cause distress including taking timepieces or
putting you in a windowless cell. Consider ambient noise and
be alert to any changes in temperature that may signal various
times of each day.
• Maintain your physical and mental well-being as best you
can. Eat if food is given to you. Drink whenever you are given
the opportunity. Exercise your body and mind daily. You must
keep up your strength in the event you need to resist or escape.
If you take any medicines on a regular basis, request them
from the captors.
• Be aware of your surroundings at all times. Make mental
notes of your captor’s habits, speech, demeanor, language and
any other information you can use to assist your situation
and which may reveal vulnerabilities or weaknesses you can
exploit.
• Get into a daily schedule. Do anything that you can to
maintain any level of normalcy to your captivity. This could be
exercise, building things with your mind, speaking if allowed,
cleaning, bathing if possible, housekeeping or meditation.
• If your captors discuss your release, do not let elation
blindside you. This may just be another tactic by your captors
to enhance cooperation, gain valuable information or lies to
keep you down.
• Be cognizant of any rescue attempts. Follow instructions by
the captors or your liberators and expect to be initially treated
as a hostile until they have identified you and the situation has
stabilized.
The number of kidnappings is growing worldwide.
International awareness has increased transcending boarders.
Kidnapping has been integrated between transnational
criminal organizations and terrorist groups in an organized
structure. As we invariably search for solutions to this
growing epidemic, the kidnap organizations will find ways to
navigate around our solutions. It is highly unlikely that any
one framework will impede the suppression of kidnapping.
For organizations, a clear policy and specific guidelines
on kidnapping are absolutely essential, but not enough.
Situational awareness is a cornerstone to avoidance, but
again not a final solution. The only real solution is training.
Training provides an ROI that extends far beyond financial
components. It gives you the framework with which to think
and act to save your life.
Dr. Cantor is a highly sought out kidnap & ransom
consultant, tactical team leader and trainer, and international
security expert. He is CEO of the TRS International Group,
offering a plethora of customized services and training,
including Anti-Kidnap & Hostage Survival Training Program.
For more information, visit trsig.com.
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