This chart was in Newsweek magazine a few weeks ago:
It’s kind of hard to read the list on the graphic, so I retyped it:
- Don’t be a hero: Accept the situation and prepare to wait.
- Do what you’re told – and remember: the first 45 minutes are the most dangerous.
- Don’t speak unless spoken to, and then only when necessary
- Get comfortable, but never turn your back on your captor
- Don’t make suggestions: you’ll be blamed if the idea goes wrong.
- Don’t try to escape, unless your sure you’ll succeed and even then think twice.
- Let medical needs be known – but in a matter-of-fact way.
- Be observant: memorize captors’ names, identifying marks etc…
- Answer only “yes” or “no” if you end up fielding questions from authorities
- Signal the police if your captors are listening in on the line.
- Don’t be argumentative: treat your captors like royalty.
- Hit the floor: when help comes, stay down with your hands on your head.
Probably all good advice if you are willing to take the chance of dying at the hands of your captor. Often though, you are going to have some pissed off captors on your hands once they figure out they are not getting all that they demand. This has the potential to turn sour real quick and that’s when hostages start disappearing.
This is why I offer then 2 step solution to dealing with captors:
I know some of you are going to jump on me saying its not feasible in all situations, and I agree. I’d rather take responsibility for my own life, rather than rolling the dice on whether or not Law Enforcement is going to surgically remove the scumbags before innocent people start dying.
Comments
11 responses to “How To Make It Out Of A Hostage Situation Alive”
I like the 2 step plan…
Step two is my game plan.
You’d be amazed how many people think I’m some kind of violent psychopath when I say that I’ll defend myself with deadly force if someone broke into my apartment, threatened to harm my friends or loved-ones, or use me as some kind of bargaining chip for their own whacked-out agenda. I don’t consider myself to be a violent (…or heroic) person, per se, but neither am I the type to fall to my knees like a sheep and passively let bad things happen to me.
Phrases like “wait for the authorities” and “trust law-enforcement to make it right in the end” aren’t in my lexicon, thankyouverymuch.
I’m not surprised at all. Self defense seems to be a fairly taboo topic among lots of people. Those same people truly believe that the police will be able to get them out of any type of situation without a scratch. I make no apologies for valuing my life over the life of someone who wants to threaten my safety.
Yeah… I like the alternate plan too. Less steps to remember :)
Well, I guess the 2 steps plans apply to people who don’t have guns. And it’s actually very good advice for us too, because if bullets start to fly, I think any CCW holder would like the other people to get down on the ground so he can have a clear shot at the bad guys.
Go ahead and call 911. But remember- when seconds count, the police are minutes away.
So true…
[…] a context of something like rape. But if that’s the case, why are we taught to just “lie back and take it“? Why is the constant refrain to not fight back, to “just give them what they […]
[…] a comment » Apparently Newsweek published a 12 step program to survive a hostage situation. Every Day, No Days Off published a two step program. I find it far more effective than […]
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