Hostage Situation

Question 1

In a situation where you as a BTM become a hostage, what are things you can do to try and increase your chances of survival?

Answer 1

Follow captors instructions, don’t try and be hero, don’t complain, cry or antagonize, humanize yourself, Nurture the Stockholm syndrome by making connections, if you get the chance to escape, take it.

Question 2

What are some possible things you can do to keep hostages alive?

Answer 2

Minimize captor communication with the outside, stall for time, create a security perimeter, humanize the captives such as using their names and not calling them hostages, keep a running log of events, and maintain communication with the captor.

Question 3

What should you never do with the captor in a hostage situation?

Answer 3

Make promises, offer to talk face-to-face, threaten or give orders, send in medical personnel, give up your weapon

Question 4

Explain when Coast Guard personnel may take action against a hostage taker.

Answer 4

CG personnel usually do not try to free captives, but instead calls for back-up from appropriate agencies. However, if death or serious injury of hostages or other innocent personnel becomes imminent and there is no reasonable alternative,