Hostage-taking has become a favored weapon not only for terrorists, but for a variety of groups and individuals, who are trying to use it to solve their problems or to put pressure on the state.
In a situation where there were signs of threat of hostage-taking, you must:
• Try to avoid being hit in their number. Immediately leave the danger zone or hide.
• Hidden, wait for time, when terrorists will go away, as soon as possible leave the shelter.
The exception is when you are in the field of view of terrorists or it`s a high probability of meeting them. Unfortunately, none of us is immune from a situation, when we can be held hostage by the terrorists.
Universal and basic rules of conduct of the hostage
Try to remain calm and do not show your fear. Do not exert the resistance to the terrorists, do not try to engage them in conversation, do not try to soften them or discourage them from doing the intended plan. Do the customer requirements and do not react to their actions in relation to the other hostages.
Do not break the established rules of the terrorists, so as not to provoke a deterioration the terms of your content. Do not, for example, try to contact the family or law enforcement authorities. If it becomes known to your captors, they will see this as the insubordination and, at least, make your content mode tougher. There may come a time, when concern about the state of your own mind and body will seem to you senseless. However, in such a situation it is very important not forget about the personal hygiene, and do the physical exercises.
Do not allow yourself to focus on the feelings. There are many ways to distract: try to think to yourself about any game, recall the half-forgotten poems, jokes, etc. For believers, prayer is a great help. To stay as a hostage causes so hard for even very persistent people. Released often burdened with guilt and shame, loss of self-esteem, all sorts of fears. Remember that this is a normal reaction to the former hostages. To return to a normal life requires a fairly long period.
The hostages are usually found in the sharp restrictions on freedom of movement and lack of communication. They do not have information about what is happening in the outside world, how things are around the grip. This complicates decision-making. If the hostage was allowed to come into contact with his (her) family, he (she) should reassure the relatives and ask to make every effort to release. Also, when you`re talking to the relatives, you have to explain, if you have such information, what are the requirements of the kidnappers.
Recommendations for actions in the capture
When is doing a taking of the hostages, you should remember that:
• Only at the time of the hostage-taking is a real opportunity to escape from the scene.
• Tune psychologically that you can not be released immediately, but remember that you are required to release.
• In no case do not scream, don`t express your outrage too.
• Remember as much as possible information about terrorists. It is advisable to establish their number, heavily armed, to make the most complete “portrait”, while taking the attention to the characteristics of the exterior, built of the body, focus on the topics of the conversations, temperament, demeanor, and others. More information will help the law enforcement agencies in identifying these terrorists.
• If it`s possible, position yourself away from windows, doors and also the kidnappers, so you must be in the places of the greater security in case of the Special Forces will take active measures (the assault of the building, the fire of snipers to kill the criminals, and others).
• Do not apply aggressive resistance, do not make any sudden motions and threats, do not provoke terrorists to rash actions. Avoid the actions that may provoke to use the weapons by the attackers, which will lead to casualties.
• Avoid the direct eye contact with the kidnappers.
• From the beginning (especially the first half hour), follow all orders and instructions of the kidnappers. For any acts (sit down, stand up, have a drink, go to the toilet) ask a permission.
• Take a position of passive cooperation. Speak in a calm voice! Avoid the expressions of contempt, defiant of the hostile tone and behavior, that can cause anger from the invaders. If there is a need, you must obey the criminals, do not contradict them, do not risk the lives of others and your own, try to avoid hysteria and panic.
• Keep calm, keep at the same time self-esteem. Do not express the categorical denials, but do not be afraid to handle the tranquil requests about what in dire you need.
• If you have any health problems, which in this situation of the strong stress conditions may occur, report it in the form of calm to the people, who captured you.
• Gradually, given the existing situation, it is possible to raise the level of requests, related to improving your comfort.
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