While most people will, understandably, be tempted to fight off an attack, it isn’t always the wisest course. Should you choose to do so, you must master three concepts: Catch, Control, Neutralise.
Catch
The first step to surviving an armed assault is to turn your natural flinch mechanism into a technique to catch the arm holding the weapon. It does not matter if your attacker has a gun, a blade or a blunt instrument; if he cannot wield it effectively, he cannot kill you with it.
Catching the attacker’s arm is much easier than trying to catch his hand. The arm is larger and moves more slowly.
Control
The second step is to control the weapon once you have caught your attacker’s weapon arm. Put simply, hang on to that weapon like your life depends upon it. Because it does.
It’s much easier to safely control a blunt instrument or firearm than an edged weapon. If you grapple over a blade, expect to be cut and prepare yourself mentally to deal with the sight of your own blood.
Neutralise
Once you have caught and controlled your attacker’s weapon, you must be able to end the assault. Be prepared, if forced, to use the weapon to do so.
Never forget that gouging the eyes or a knee to the groin is a highly effective way of neutralising an attacker.
Escape is also an excellent option. Your best opportunity is during the initial confusion of being kidnapped, while you are still in public. If escape’s too risky, then cause as much commotion as safely possible to attract attention. Make people aware an abduction is happening so the authorities are notified. Otherwise, it could be hours or days before your absence is reported.
Once you have been forced into a vehicle, you may be blindfolded, beaten unconscious, drugged or made to lie face down on the floor. If drugs are administered, do not resist. It’s better to be drugged than beaten unconscious. If you are conscious, follow your captors’ instructions.
During transportation, do not struggle. Concentrate on surviving. Attempt to visualise the route, make a mental note of turns, street noise, smells, etc. Try to keep track of the amount of time spent between points. You will be asked questions about this after your release in an effort to determine where you were held.
Once you have arrived, you may be placed in a temporary holding area before being moved to a more permanent site. If you are interrogated:
Retain a sense of pride but cooperate.
Divulge only information that cannot be used against you.
Do not antagonise your interrogator.
Don't be fooled by a friendly approach. Remember, one captor may play ‘Good Guy’ and one ‘Bad Guy’. This is the most common interrogation technique.
Concentrate on surviving. If you are a bargaining tool to obtain ransom, you will be kept alive.
After reaching your permanent detention site (you may be moved several times), quickly settle in.
Be observant. Notice the details of the room, the sounds of activity and determine the layout of the building by studying what is visible to you. Note the number, names, physical description, accents, habits and rank structure of your captors.
Know your captors. Memorise their schedule, look for patterns of behaviour and identify weaknesses or vulnerabilities. Use this information to assess opportunities to escape.
Expect to be accused of being a spy and to be interrogated intensively. Keep answers short. Don't volunteer information.
Try to establish a rapport with your captors. Get them to view you as a person, not an object. Listen to their feelings and concerns, but never praise, participate in, or debate their "cause." If you know your captors' language, use it. If not, ask them to teach you.
Speak normally. Don't complain. Avoid belligerence. Comply with orders and instructions. Once a level of rapport is achieved, try asking for items that will increase your comfort.
Plan on a lengthy stay and devise a way to keep track of the passage of time.
Establish a daily schedule of mental and physical exercise. To maintain your strength, eat what you are given however unappetizing.
If you detect other hostages nearby, try to devise ways to communicate.
