Safety tips during a kidnapping and hijacking situation

Injuries and deaths during hijackings or hostage situations are often a result of inconsiderate actions taken by the victims themselves, the SA police service (SAPS) has noted.

“There are certain guidelines that could increase a victim’s chances of survival and decrease the risk of humiliation, discomfort and injury,” said the SAPS.

The SAPS and Rekord provide the following safety tips should you be a victim of a hostage taker or hijacking.

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 initial reaction usually leads to resistance, or retaliation, which could have fatal consequences.

Prepare 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

– Perpetrators could be tense, anxious and nervous and they could display a tendency to overreact.

What to do in a hijacking situation or kidnapping

– Do everything the perpetrators tell you to do

– Try to maintain your pride, dignity and self-respect at all times

– Keep your brain active by playing games in your mind, daydreaming and reading whatever you are offered

– Eat the food provided by your captor(s) to maintain your physical strength

– Try to maintain a sense of humour, but do not ridicule the aggressor(s)

– 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 rescue raid

What not to do in a hijacking situation or kidnapping

– Do not panic or become hysterical at any time

– Do what the perpetrator(s) asks and never offer any form of resistance or engage in an argument

– Try not to become abusive and aggressive or lose your temper, threaten or provoke the perpetrator

– Do not try to be a hero

– Try to not speak or use foreign concepts of language, as this could arouse the perpetrator s suspicions

– Do not try to escape, as this could place you at risk

Also read:

CPF confirms Gautrain attack

Police hunt Gautrain attacker

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