A Hostage Situation

(Clint Van Zandt is a former FBI Chief Hostage Negotiator, criminal profiler and author of Facing Down Evil)

“Comply with your hostage taker while looking for a way to escape. Hostage takers are usually trapped criminals, mentally challenged individuals or terrorists with a political or religious agenda. Try to get to know your kidnapper and identify with his or her cause.

In a rescue attempt, you need to realize that your rescuers may not be able to differentiate between you and the people who took you hostage. So get down on the floor and assume that you may be treated like a criminal until the rescue team assures itself that you are not and that you don’t have a weapon. Don’t pick up dropped weapons and run – this would be a good way to get yourself shot. Keep down or keep your hands in the air, and do as you are told by your rescuers.”