Content

• To step
• Tips
• Warnings

One minute you're getting into your car to go to work and the next you're tied up, gagged, in the back of a van. Kidnapping or hostage-taking is a terrifying experience for most people. And it happens quickly. Sometimes so fast that you have no chance of escaping your kidnapper (s). Fortunately, most kidnapping victims are released unharmed and usually quite quickly. Make no mistake, though: any kidnapping can be fatal; Whether the victim survives depends largely on the decisions he or she makes in captivity.

To step

1. Try to thwart the kidnapping. If you can escape the first kidnapping attempt, your ordeal will end instantly. However, the first few minutes of a hostage situation or kidnapping are the most dangerous and become even more dangerous if you resist. While in many cases the possibility of immediate escape outweighs the danger of resistance, sometimes escape (if there are multiple armed attackers for example) is not realistic and therefore not worth the risk. Think rationally and cooperate in such situations. The first few minutes are often the best time to fight, because depending on where you are, there are likely to be people around you. If this is the case and there are others around, now is the best time to fight back in a way that catches the attention of others, who may come to your aid. After they have you where they want (in a car or something) there will most likely be no one to respond to your call for help.
2. Calm down. Your adrenaline is flying, your heart is pounding and you will be terrified. Take it easy. The sooner you regain your composure, the better off you will be immediately and in the longer term.
3. Pay attention. From the outset, you should try to observe and remember as much as possible to help you plan your escape, predict the kidnapper's next steps, or provide information to the police to assist in a rescue or to help you. help arrest 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 hearing, touch, and smell.
   • Observe your kidnapper (s):
     • How many are there?
     • Are they armed? If so, with what?
     • Are they in good physical condition?
     • What do they look and / or sound like?
     • How old are they?
     • Do they seem well prepared?
     • What is their emotional state?
   • Observe your surroundings:
     • Where will you be taken? Visualize the route the kidnappers are taking. Record turns, stops and variations in speed. Try to determine the time between these points. Try to count between each turn, for example 128 left, 12 right. Being familiar with the area can give you an advantage.
     • Where are you being held? Check out as much detail of your surroundings as possible. Where are the exits? Are there cameras, a lock on the door or other security measures? Are there any obstacles, such as a large bank? Find out where you are and gather information that may be useful if you decide to escape.
   • Observe yourself:
     • Are you injured?
     • How are you bound or otherwise limited? How much freedom of movement do you have?
4. Try to find out why you were kidnapped. There are various motivations for kidnapping, from sexual assault to ransom to political power. How you deal with your captors, and whether you risk an escape, depends in part on the motivation of your captors. If they hold you for ransom or to negotiate the release of prisoners, you are probably worth more to them alive than dead. However, if you were captured by a serial killer or a sex criminal, or if you were kidnapped in retaliation for political or military action, your kidnapper is likely planning to kill you. Based on this information, you must decide if and when to try to escape.
5. Stay in survival mode. Be positive and remember that most kidnapping victims survive - you have the best odds yourself. That said, you need to prepare yourself for a long imprisonment. Some hostages are held for years, but remain positive, play along and are eventually freed. Live by the day.
6. Put your kidnapper at ease. Be calm. Cooperate (within reason) with your kidnapper. Do not threaten or become violent and do not try to escape unless the time is right (see below)).
7. Keep your dignity. It is generally more psychologically difficult for someone to kill, rape, or otherwise harm a prisoner if the prisoner remains "human" in the eyes of the usurper. Don't gag, beg, or get hysterical. Don't even try to cry. Don't challenge your kidnapper, but show him / her that you deserve respect.
8. Try to bond with your kidnapper. If you can establish some sort of connection with your kidnapper, he / she will generally be reluctant to harm you.
   • If your abductor is suffering from some form of paranoid psychosis, it is best that you come across as non-threatening, but also avoid doing anything that could be perceived as manipulation (such as attempting to befriend them) as individuals those paranoid delusions are likely to assume that you are just another person plotting against them. If they feel like they are losing control, they may respond with a violent outburst. Don't try to convince them that their delusions are groundless because they can get angry and either way, they are unlikely to believe you (from their perspective, their delusions make perfect sense and seem like reality).
9. Avoid insulting your kidnapper or talking about potentially sensitive topics. You may think your kidnapper is a pathetic, disgusting individual. While prisoners in movies sometimes get away with such statements, keep these thoughts to yourself. Moreover, as in most conversations with people you don't know, politics is not a good topic to talk about, especially if you are being held by terrorists or hostage-takers who are politically motivated.
10. Listen carefully. Care about what your kidnapper has to say. Don't patronize them, but be empathetic and they will feel more comfortable and more benevolent towards you. Being a good listener can also help you gather information that could be useful for an escape or to help the police arrest the kidnapper after your release.
    • Appeal to the family feelings of your kidnappers. If you have children and so does your kidnapper, you already have a powerful bond. Your kidnapper can probably "put himself in your position", realize the impact of to be kidnapping or death would be on to be family. If you have pictures of your family with you, consider showing them to one or more of your captors when the time is right.
11. Try to communicate with other inmates. If you are being held with other inmates, talk to them in a safe manner as much as possible. If you pay attention to each other and have others to talk to, your captivity will be easier to handle. You may also be able to plan an effective escape together. Depending on the situation, your communication may need to be kept secret and if you are detained for a long time, you can develop codes and signals.
12. Keep an eye on the time and try to distinguish patterns. By keeping track of time, you can establish routines that enable you to maintain your dignity and sanity. It can also help you plan and execute an escape, if you are able to detect patterns of when your kidnapper comes and goes and how long he is gone. If clocks aren't available, make a conscious effort to keep track of the time. If you can see sunlight it will be fairly easy, but otherwise you can listen for changes in activity outside, note differences in your abductor's level of consciousness, try to detect different food smells, or look for other clues.
13. Stay mentally active. Think about what you will do when you get back home. Have conversations with friends and loved ones in your head. Do these things consciously so as not to go crazy - you keep yourself so healthy. Captivity can be boring and mind-numbing. It's important to challenge your mind so that you stay healthy, but also so that you can think rationally about escape. Do maths problems, think of puzzles, try to recite poems you know, sing lyrics; do what you can to keep yourself busy and mentally sharp.
14. Stay physically active. It can be difficult to stay in shape in captivity, especially when tied, but it's important to do this as much as possible. Being in good physical shape can help you escape and keep you in good shape during your imprisonment. Find ways to move, even with a regular jump rope, with push-ups, or even pushing or extending your hands together.
15. Ask for small favors. If you expect a long imprisonment, you ask for little things. For example, ask for a thicker blanket or newspaper. Keep the requests small, at least initially, and don't do them in quick succession. You can make your captivity more comfortable and make yourself more human in the eyes of kidnappers.
16. Don't get noticed. When being held with other inmates you don't want to stand out, especially as a troublemaker.
17. Watch for warning signs. If your captors decide to kill you, find out as soon as possible so you can plan an escape. If they suddenly stop feeding you, if they treat you harder (and `` dehumanize '' you), if they suddenly seem desperate or scared, or if other hostages are released but your captors don't seem to be about to release you, then be ready to do what you can. If they suddenly stop to hide their identity wearing masks etc. it is a very strong sign that they are planning to kill you, so get out as soon as possible.
18. Only try to escape when the time is right. When is the right time to escape? Sometimes the safest thing to do is to just wait to be released or rescued. But when the right situation presents itself - if you have a good plan and are almost certain that you can escape successfully - you should take the opportunity. You should also try to escape, even if your odds are not good, if you are reasonably confident that your captors will kill you.
19. Stay out of the way if a rescue attempt is made. Hurray, the cavalry has arrived! Before you get too excited, keep in mind that except for the first few minutes of a kidnapping, the most dangerous time is the rescue attempt in a hostage situation. Your captors may get desperate and try to use you as a shield or they may simply decide to kill hostages. Even if your captors are caught by surprise, you can be killed by the actions of police or soldiers, who may use explosives and heavy firepower to enter a building. During a rescue attempt, try to hide from your captors if possible. Stay low and protect your head with your hands, or try to get behind a protective barrier (under a desk or table, for example, or in a bathtub). Do not make sudden movements when armed rescuers enter.
20. Follow the rescuers' instructions carefully. Your rescuers are on edge and will likely shoot first and ask questions later. Obey any orders they give. If they tell everyone to lie on the floor or put their hands on their head, do so. Your rescuers can even tie you up with zip ties or handcuffs as they begin to determine who are hostages and who are kidnappers. Keep calm and put rescuers at ease.

Tips

• If you are in the trunk of a car, try to escape. If you can't get out, rip or kick through the panel to the brake lights and kick the lights out. You can then put your arm out and warn motorists that you are in it. If you can't get the lights out, make the wiring so the police will stop the car more quickly. Continue to call for help and smack on the boot lid if the car stops or drives slowly. Try to take a good look at your surroundings to find out where you are.
• If you are a foreigner in a hostile country, or if you are captured during wartime, consider the consequences of an escape. First, if people aren't helping you or worse, if they're likely to help your captors, you shouldn't try to escape. It is also possible, especially during an active conflict, that you are safer where you are than if you were to escape. Weigh your decision carefully, because leaving your captors may be the beginning of your ordeal.
• If you are forced into a car, open the door and get out if possible. If you can't get out of the car, try putting something in the ignition before the kidnapper inserts the key or pull the key out and insert something. A button from your clothes, a piece of metal, a stick or the gum from your mouth can effectively prevent the kidnapper from inserting the key and starting the car.
• Don't forget to cooperate and empathize with your captors, but only within reasonable limits. During long periods of imprisonment, prisoners can develop the so-called "Stockholm Syndrome", in which they begin to identify with their captors, sometimes to the point of helping their prisoners to commit crimes or avoid punishment.
• If possible, get your hands tied in front of you. An easy way to release cuffs is to make a fist and keep your wrists apart. If you are zip-tied or your hand tied with a rope, this can be very effective.
• If you are kidnapped, try to make a big fuss or get your phone out so that it looks like you are calling the police. If nothing works, try putting them up the windpipe with your fingers. This should give you time to get away safely.
• If there is more than one person, try to get on good terms, especially if they are not the "leader." It's easier to escape if they empathize with you.
• If you are being held or tied, remember to tighten your muscles as this will loosen the cuffs around your body. Once they are gone, you can let them relax. It will then be easier to get out of the chains.
• When fighting back, try to hook a finger in an eye, nostril, or mouth. Some people have prevented rape by urinating or defecating during the attack.

Warnings

• Keep in mind that if you get caught again after an initial escape attempt, you probably won't get another chance to escape - make it work.
• Don't be overconfident. A positive attitude is important, but when you get excited and then let down, it's hard to stay positive. When your captors start talking about your release, take it with a grain of salt.Don't let yourself down.
• Be careful about talking to other inmates, especially about escaping or any classified information you may have. A fellow prisoner can tell you to get a white foot at the kidnappers, or one of the "prisoners" can actually be a spy for your kidnappers.
• Do not try to remove a blindfold or mask, either from yourself or from a kidnapper. If the kidnapper doesn't want you to see him / her, this could be a good sign: he / she may be planning to free you and doesn't want you to be able to identify him / her. However, if you see him or her, he / she may decide to kill you because you can identify him / her.
• Be careful what you tell your captors. If they are holding you for ransom or as political collateral, it is usually best if they think you are rich or important, even if you are not. However, if they kidnapped you to kill you in retaliation for some political action, then you want to appear very insignificant and uninvolved, even if you aren't. It is very important to establish the motivations of your captors so that you can determine what to tell them and what not to tell them.
• Attempts to call 911 or contact the police could result in your kidnapper (s) getting angry and potentially harming you other captured people. Do that unnoticed.
• Your attacker will likely be very angry if you fight back, especially if you injure him / her. Only use force when you think you have a good chance of escape and don't hold back when trying to injure your attacker - be as mean and powerful as possible. It is imperative that you escape if you have stunned the kidnapper, because if you get caught, he / she will vent his / her anger on you.