The paradigm used to be a plane was hijacked, flown to someplace unpleasant, then some sort of negotiation conducted. Usually all hostages were released unharmed. If 9/11/01 didn’t change that entirely, it at least changed the way we should all look at hostage-taking.
How to tell the difference between a hostage-taking done with homicidal destruction in mind such as that of 9/11/01; or that committed with negotiation in mind, such as the Korean missionaries taken hostage in Afghanistan in 2007?
Tough one.
Generally, if the bad guys kill someone in front of you, they're probably not going to negotiate ~ they're most likely planning on becoming martyrs, taking you along with them.
Yea, whatever.
If they're taking hostages and not just setting you up for slaughter, they'll want to keep as many of you alive as they can to use as bargaining chips. So, if they beat people instead of cut their throats, be grateful... you might get out alive.
Those are probably your best clues as to the intent of your uninvited guests.
So, let's discuss some basics.
Despite their training, terrorists are going to be pretty nervous during the first part of the take-over since they have the least control then ~ the least control of you, of the situation. FBI statistics indicate you are most likely to be injured in the first 30 minutes of a hostage incident. But, if you’re perceived to be a threat at any stage, you could get hurt or killed. Right then and there. On purpose.
Yes... you.
The most important thing is to stay calm and don’t make sudden movements unless you're reasonably sure those movements will help you escape. Because of the confusion in the first several minutes of a hostage incident, the best time to escape is then and there, while you are perhaps still in a public place. But resistance may be risky. Your decision to resist or cooperate must be carefully made, in advance if possible. More on this later.
While being held hostage by whatsoever egregiously-aggrieved group, try to avoid direct eye contact with them. It can be seen as confrontational ~ aggressiveness. And to make a point to the rest of the hostages that everyone needs to fear and obey them, they may drop you on the spot. So, behave like a good victim. Don’t be passive-aggressive. Follow their directions.
If you're planning some sort of resistance, don't give it away by having a snotty look in your eyes that says: Just you knuckleheads wait until you turn your back, then me and my homies are gonna give you guys the business.
No. Remain seated with your seat-belt on and your tray table locked in the upright position.
Don't be a tough guy with your eyes. When the time comes, you be a tough guy with your brain and your heart and with your fists and feet and every improvised weapon you can find a/o think of. You will know when that moments comes. Til then, in your eyes, look a little scared. Just a little.
Be careful to whom you’re speaking and what you say. Be discreet ~ the man or woman you’re discussing resistance/escape options with might be part of the terrorist team merely posing as a hostage.
If spoken to; keep your answers short, non-political and non-religious. I don't care how many tongues you talk in or with, you’re not going to change or convert anybody in this situation. And if you think you're going to evangelize them anyway and become a martyr for your faith if they kill you, then shame on you. You don't know how many others around you they'll kill just because you couldn't ignore your "duty" to preach the gospel to every nation. Just shut up and... pray.
While it's not wise for you to try to negotiate with your captors, FBI studies show that terrorists tend do less damage and harm if, within the first five minutes of taking hostages, someone calmly and clearly says something that can be a bit of an epiphany to them.
This person can be a cop on scene, but they're not going to be there in 5 minutes, are they?
It could be a security officer, but security officers aren't trained in this little tiny life-saving tactic because the great big security companies, and the small ones for that matter, are worried more about litigation if their guards screw up than they are with protecting you.
It could be any of the other hostages, if there are others. But do they know what you're about to know? You want to bet your life on the answer?
Okay. Then it's you. You're going to have to suck it up and find a way to approach whichever terrorist seems to be in charge.
Say something like this; within five minutes of your being taken hostage...
- Hey; looks like everyone's okay so far. Um, look... if you don't kill anyone, I think you'll be okay. But if someone dies, you may die also.
- We don't want people to get hurt. As long as no one's injured or dies, I think the police will try to help you.
- This might not turn out too bad if you surrender right away, or let some of us go as a sign of good faith.
Pssst: Don't say kill, hostages, raid, arrest, die, attack, etc. ~ words that suggest violence against your hostage-taker(s).
If it appears you'll be held for more than a couple days, then forming some rapport with the terrorists might turn out to be useful. You may remember from a previous post that, if you're going to strike up a chat with a terrorist, you should do so with one who's wearing a mask or hood. Go look at the Beslan posts here if your memory needs refreshing. Hooded or not, in any conversation with terrorists, remember to not talk religion or politics; but listen attentively, even if you have to fake it. If you don't agree with what you're hearing, don't argue. Be quiet. Just nod and say, Uh-huh... uh-huh.
You want the terrorists to see you as a real person, so you have to humanize yourself. If asked, talk a little about your family and give some general hints about your life. Show them pictures of your family members, especially male children. Why? Because they value men more than they value women.
Show a general interest in their lives but don't probe or seem intrusive. See if you can find some commonality but don't be obsequious. Speak their language if you know it; learn their first names, if possible and appropriate, and speak to them by name.
Don't do anything to attract their attention unnecessarily. Don't piss 'em off by being the one who keeps asking to use the lavatory. Limit your fluid intake to a minimum. If you need to take some medication, let them know. If the meds are necessary to keep you alive, they might let you, even help you, take it. But if you explain you need the meds or you'll die and they don't care, um... that's a bad sign.
Accept food and other comfort items provided to you. Eat what you are given, even if it doesn't look appetizing and you don’t feel hungry. Eat whenever food is offered. You need to stay strong.
If they force you to present their demands to the police, state clearly that the demands are from the terrorists. Avoid making a plea on your own behalf ~ don't stand there on the street or whine over the phone; Oh my God. Dooooo something. They're gonna kill us all. We're all gonna die. Saaaaaaaave us.
You do that and they'll take you back inside and bind/gag you because you're out of control and they don't need that hassle... if they don't put two in your head.
You may be moved while you're held hostage and your captors may blind-fold, gag, a/o restrain you in order to make this move easier for them. You may be beaten into unconsciousness so they can move you. This is how it may happen:
- They bind you somehow, so you can't resist the beating you're about to get.
- Then they may gag you so you can't cry for help. But the gag might be loose so you won't choke on your own blood or vomit.
- If this is what's happening to you, it may not be bad... they're trying to keep you alive.
- If they wanted to kill you, they'd just walk up behind you and cut your throat.
Don't resist if they try to drug you ~ they're probably just trying to sedate you in order to make you more manageable. If you are conscious, follow your captor’s instructions carefully.
Escape? Only you can weigh the risks and make the decision. Avoid impulsive escape attempts, and don't try to do so unless you are reasonably sure you can make it. Before attempting to to get away, think about these things, if you have time:
- What will happen to you if you fail?
- What will happen to others if you fail?
- What will happen to others if you succeed?
- If you do make a try, you may have to harm a captor to pull it off. Are you prepared mentally and equipment/training-wise to kill someone in your effort?
- If you're caught, are you prepared to face those consequences?
I'd like to recommend Viktor Frankl's book, Man's Search for Meaning. He discusses this issue in great, profound detail.
If you are able to escape, it's probably best to head for a U.S. Embassy or Consulate to seek protection. If you cannot reach either, go to a host government or friendly government office. Absent all those, go to a business that you can identify as being American, Canadian, European. Or, head for a Catholic church... the biggest one you can find.
While captive, don’t get lethargic or fearful. Care. Care about yourself. Remember those who love you who want you safe. You matter to them and to many more than you know. You need to remember: though the US government will not negotiate with terrorists, that doesn't mean they won't try to work for your safe and quick release. And, if there are children among the hostages, they'll work even harder.
Stay alert and keep your mind active. You will probably be questioned by government authorities once the situation is resolved so pay close attention to the what's going on around you.
Be observant.
- Notice the details of the room/building in which you're being held, the sounds of activity in the building and determine the layout of the building by studying what is visible to you.
- Listen for sounds through walls, windows or out in the streets, and try to identify the various odors in the area.
- Know the bad-guys.
- Memorize their schedule, habits and rank structure.
- Look for patterns of behavior to be used to your advantage, and identify weaknesses or vulnerabilities.
- Use this information to assess opportunities to escape.
- Try to memorize the number of terrorists, their descriptions, weapons, identities of other hostages, etc.
- You may be released or escape, and this information is critical.
- One proven method for remembering such information is to mentally give nicknames to each captor and note their clothes, faces, posture and temperaments.
You need to stay calm, alert, mentally prepared. Why? Because when HRT comes crashing through the doors, floors, ceilings and windows, you need to be able to immediately process what's going on in front of you and immediately do the right thing.
What's that, Undaunted?
If a rescue is attempted, at least by US police a/o miltary, it will be sudden, fast and probably loud. Don't get up to cheer the good-guys on. Stay down. If you hear explosions or shooting, drop to the floor immediately and stay down. Point your feet toward the sound of the shooting. If you can't get down, then cross your arms on your chest, bow your head and stand still. And, um... pray if you got 'em.
In the absence of HRT orders, move as quickly as possible to an area that looks to be controlled by good-guys, with your hands in the air to show 'em you're not armed and pose no threat.
As the HRT takeover is in motion, expect to be treated roughly until they know who's team you're on. No, you're not the CEO of a Fortune 500 company, or just a singer in a rock-and-roll band. You're a hostile target until they secure the entire scene. You'll initially be treated as a suspect and may be handcuffed and searched.
Don’t resist. Just don't. If you do, you're going to find out how many rounds an MP5 a/o HK USP Tactical can crank out before your lifeless body hits the floor. Keep your hands on your head and don’t move until you're told to do so.
If you don't want to follow those simple rules and clear HRT orders because of some wild hair you now have or suddenly get up your you-know-what, then you'll end up in a body bag.
Hostage Rescue Teams are the bad-ass boys with the bad-ass toys. Don't make any mistakes.
Hostage release can be the most dangerous part of the entire ordeal. Many things can go wrong... accidentally or on purpose. Your captors will be extremely nervous during a release, for a number of reasons. They may also be anxious to evade capture and punishment. They may be intent on surrendering and ending the ordeal. Or not. They may have deadlier ideas since press coverage will be maxed out to cover the end of their surrender. Just remember: shooting a/o bombs... get down and stay down. If you're wounded, you'll probably be okay because EMS is right across the street and around that corner to your left.
Hey, Unerschrocken; survive.
No matter what occurs.
Control your fear and live.