SAFETY HINTS: HOSTAGE SITUATIONS AND HIJACKING
The following safety hints are aimed at providing a potential hostage or
hijacking victim with practical advice and enhance road safety. It is important
to note that most hostages, victims of hijacking survive the incident and are
eventually released or rescued. In most instances, injuries and deaths are the
result of inconsiderate actions taken by the victims themselves. There are
certain guidelines that could increase a victim’s chances of survival and
decrease the risk of humiliation, discomfort and injury:
KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT AS A VICTIM
- People
who are taken hostage or hijacked, tend to experience feelings of anxiety,
shock, disbelief and confusion.
- This
first reaction usually leads to resistance, or retaliation which could
have fatal consequences.
- Prepare
yourself to be alone and isolated from your family, friends or loved ones,
and to lose track of time and place.
KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT OF THE PERPETRATORS
- They
could be tense, anxious and nervous.
- They
could display a tendency to overreact.
DO'S
- Do
everything the perpetrators tell you to do.
- Try
at all times to maintain your pride, dignity and self-respect.
- Keep
your brain active by playing games in your mind (mind games), daydreaming
and reading whatever you are offered.
- To
maintain your physical strength you should eat the food provided by your
captor(s).
- Try
to maintain a sense of humor, but do not ridicule the aggressors.
- Try
to remain orientated regarding your movements, directions, time and place.
- Try
to maintain a routine and remain fit, if circumstances permit.
- Allow
yourself to be led by your captor(s).
- Try
to remain cool and calm.
- Fall
flat and remain down during the relieving attack
DON'TS
- Do
not at any time become panic stricken or hysterical.
- Do
not offer any form of resistance.
- Do
not become abusive and aggressive or lose your temper.
- Do
not threaten or provoke the captor(s).
- Do
not try to be a hero.
- Do
not engage in an argument with the captor(s).
- Do
not engage in any whispered conversations with the perpetrators.
- Do
not use foreign concepts or languages, as this could arouse the captors’
suspicions.
- Do
not make any demands.
- Do
not be sympathetic towards your captors’ cause.
- Do
not try to escape, as this could place you at risk.
These safety hints are published by the South
African Police Service, Division: Crime Prevention, in support of actions taken
by hostage negotiators in the best interest of the community.
YOUR SAFETY IS OUR CONCERN
