TRAINING  &  COACHING  for  MANAGERS & LEADERS

Case Histories

Surviving Hijacking & Hostage-Taking

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:

1. Precautions
2. Appropriate reactions
3. Ordeal of negotiation
4. 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

Emergency Training

Crisis Recovery

• Emergency Preparedness
• Contingency Exercises
• Crisis Management
• Dealing with Trauma and PTSD
• Refugee Management

• Developing an Overall Emergency Plan
• Controlling each crisis
• Testing Contingency Plans
• Maintaining Contingency Plans
• Emergency Training