Training & Telephone Coaching for Managers & Leaders  Case Histories

Hostages and Repatriation

Systemic Solutions with Martyn Carruthers

Although hostage situations are emotional and stressful events, appropriate training and practice can reduce the risk and trauma for a hostage and involved people. Martyn Carruthers

Objectives

1. How to recognize and avoid hostage situations
2. How to ensure hostage safety
3. How to repatriate hostages

Avoid Hostage Situations

1. Identify where employees and stakeholders risk becoming hostages
2. Provide training on how to avoid hostage situations
3. Provide training on appropriate actions in the event of being taken hostage

Potential Hostage Situations

Hostages may be taken:

• kidnapping for ransom
• during or following a crime for protection
• during riots or civil unrest for intimidation
• building, vehicle, ship or airliner seized by terrorists
• prisoners of war (POWs)

Ensure Hostage Safety

Coordination and participation is essential for successful hostage repatriation and recovery.

• Create and exercise contingency plans for hijacking and hostage taking
• Report information about hostage taking to senior managers immediately
• Only high level managers should make public or media statements

If Taken Hostage

• Do whatever an armed hostage taker wants
• Be especially courteous and compliant during the first ten minutes
• Speak only when spoken to; do not offer jokes, sarcasm or philosophy
• Show passive compliance: act relaxed and sit down if allowed
• Don't turn your back and reach down unless so instructed
• Try to maintain eye contact without staring
• Weigh any chance to escape carefully
• Be patient and trust your negotiators

Reporting a hostage situation

• overall situation and exact location
• numbers, genders and ages of hostage-takers and hostages
• numbers and types of weapons
• specific demands or threats
• locations of people controlled by the hostage takers

Let Experts Negotiate

• Stay calm and immediately request trained assistance (police or security)
• Do not follow orders given by a hostage taker, except to save lives
• Leave negotiations for skilled negotiators
• Leave critical decisions for skilled negotiators
• Delay decisions with "I'll ask ..."
• Answer demands with "I'll do my best ..."
• Attempt to find people who may positively influence the hostage takers

Public or media statements

Trained staff should liaise with reporters and media personnel to minimize risk, confusion and damage.

• Contact trained staff to liaise with reporters and media personnel
• Confirm a hostage-taking event without details
• Confirm primary concern for hostage safety, unless the site is threatened
• Confirm co-operation with law enforcement and security experts

Emergency Coaching

Emergency Training

Hostage Repatriation

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

• Medical attention for injuries or disease
• Stress control to minimize trauma / PTSD
• Therapeutic critical event debriefing
• Assist family reunion
• Prepare for media interest

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Copyright © Martyn Carruthers 1996-2009 All rights reserved. These Systemic Solutions were primarily developed by Martyn Carruthers. We coach and train people to succeed by solving emotional and relationship problems. This information is for your general knowledge only. Please consult a physician about medical conditions and before changing any medical treatment. Link to our pages, but get Martyn's written permission to post or publish his work.