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
How to recognize and avoid hostage situations
How to ensure hostage safety
How to repatriate hostages
Avoid Hostage Situations
Identify where employees and stakeholders risk
becoming hostages
Provide training on how to avoid hostage situations
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
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.
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
Training Centers & Programs We offer systemic coach training to
helping professionals
and to people who want healthy relationships and happy
families.
