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Although there is no ideal
way to deal with a hijacking, systemic coaching increases the likelihood
that employees survive hijack situations.
Martyn Carruthers
Hijacking happens
Hijacking is a fact of modern life. Any building, vehicle,
ship or aircraft can be hijacked by terrorists or criminals, and hostages
can be taken. The US State
Department guidelines (Hostage Survival and Hijacking Survival
Guidelines) can be simplified into:
- Precautions
- Appropriate reactions
- Ordeal of negotiation
- Resolution or rescue
Precautions for Employees
Managers can request or require that employees at risk of
hijacking prepare up-to-date wills, insurance policies and power of attorney for their
partners, to increase their ability to survive a hijacking. If hijacked,
employees can concentrate on survival instead of wasting
energy on "I should have...".
- Interview and select key employees who can respond to a
crisis resourcefully.
- Train employees in the dynamics of a hijacking and
guidelines during a hijacking.
- Offer therapeutic coaching to employees are unlikely to
act resourcefully under stress.
- Provide training on recognizing and defusing
potentially hazardous situations.
- Provide negotiation training for key staff who may
negotiate with hijackers.
- Obtain systemic coaching on emergency preparedness.
Dynamics of Hijacking
A takeover by hijackers may be a noisy commotion, possibly
with shooting and yelling, or a hijacking may be quiet and methodical with
little more than an announcement.
The first few minutes of a hijacking are crucial. Stay as calm as you
can and encourage people around you to act calmly. The
hijackers will likely be extremely nervous and possibly scared. Follow the hijackers'
directions. If shooting occurs, keep your head down or drop to the floor.
Once a building, vehicle, ship or aircraft is taken over,
hostages are likely to be separated by
citizenship, sex, race or age. Relax if your identification is confiscated or
if your possessions are ransacked or stolen. Your life is worth much more
than your wallet, passport or notebook computer.
- Each individual involved in a hijacking affects the outcome.
- Any victim or hijacker can bring disaster rather than a peaceful
resolution.
- The hijackers will likely be as scared and nervous as
the hostages.
- Any violence will likely be directed at people whom the
hijackers perceive to be a threat or a nuisance.
Ordeal of Negotiation
Negotiations with hijackers may seem
endless. Hostages may be moved to various locations. During negotiations,
hostages may become bargaining
chips, and lives may be threatened. Some hostages may
be released in exchange for food, fuel, departure, etc. Negotiations are the longest
part of a hijacking.
- Prepare yourself mentally and emotionally for a long
ordeal.
- If you are told to keep your head down or to keep a certain body
position, relax into that position. You may need to stay that way for some
time.
- Do not attempt to hide your passport or belongings.
- If you are addressed by hijackers, respond using a relaxed tone of voice.
- Use your time by casually observing the characteristics and
behavior of the hijackers and possible collaborators.
- Mentally give nicknames to each hijacker and notice their
clothes, faces, postures and
temperaments.
- If you or a nearby passenger need assistance due to
illness or discomfort, request assistance from an employee, crew member or
other person.
- Do not attempt to approach the hijackers unless they
have assisted other passengers.
- If you are singled out by a hijacker, respond to
questions but do not
volunteer information.
Resolution and Rescue
The last phase of a hijacking is resolution, by a rescue team or through
negotiation. A rescue force entry may be similar to
the hijacker's takeover - noise, chaos and possibly shooting.
- If you hear gunshots, immediately lower your head or drop to the floor.
- If instructed by a rescuer to move - move quickly.
Put your
hands up in the air or behind your head. Make no sudden movements.
- If you see fire or smoke, attempt to open emergency exits.
In an aircraft, use
inflatable slides or exit onto the wing. Carefully lower yourself to
the ground.
- If you jump and are hurt - crawl away - avoid being
someone else's "soft landing".
- Once out of the building, vehicle, ship or aircraft,
follow the guidance of the rescue force or other authorities.
- If there is no guidance, move away as quickly as
possible to a controlled area.
- If you are perceived as a possible hijacker or conspirator by
a rescue force, you may be treated roughly. Help the rescue force determine
that you are not part of the hijacking team.
- Cooperate with authorities with information about the
hijacking.
- Ask for permission before you try to recover your possessions.
- Obtain therapeutic coaching to avoid post-traumatic
stress disorders (PTSD).
Death or Serious Injury
- Ensure that the next of kin are notified
- In the event of an employee's death, arrange for a letter of
condolence to the next of kin
- Inform management and arrange appropriate
administrative actions
Emergency Coaching
| Martyn Carruthers
was a medical technician and served on Royal Navy nuclear
submarines during the Cold War. He was health physics and
safety officer at English and Canadian nuclear power stations, and Radiation
Protection Officer for the Canadian government, where he worked with Public Health
and Emergency Measures organizations. Martyn also founded
Soulwork
Solutions,
a complete system of coaching and mentorship. |
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