| Kidnap encounters have five phases: capture, | | | | center. |
| transport, consolidation, holding and termination. The | | | | Kidnap gangs often place lookouts in various locations. |
| moment of capture has the highest risk for executives. | | | | When escaping, judge all possible routes, and watch |
| However, it may be the most dangerous time for the | | | | for potential kidnapper gang members covering these |
| intended victim but also the best time for escape. The | | | | areas. Upon making a clean escape, try to anticipate |
| kidnappers themselves are stressed, nervous and | | | | the kidnapper's next move to avoid capture. Blend in |
| more likely to make mistakes. Executive defense | | | | quietly to the local environment while waiting for police |
| tactics cause a split second of hesitation - the best | | | | assistance. Additional risks are minimized through |
| chance for escape. | | | | awareness and remaining composed. |
| During the initial abduction stage, kidnappers will present | | | | Shots Fired |
| a devastating show of force to minimize possible | | | | When making an escape, if you hear shots fired, drop |
| resistance. However, in these early stages kidnappers | | | | directly to the ground and lie down flat. Make yourself |
| can be thrown off guard if the executive manages (or | | | | a small target and crawl for cover while keeping flat. |
| his bodyguard) to move quickly enough to take | | | | The longer you're upright, the higher the probability is |
| advantage of the situation and create an opportunity | | | | you'll be shot from direct fire or ricochet. A critical |
| for escape. | | | | consideration to assess the possibility of escape when |
| An escape should not be a fight or flight panic reaction. | | | | shots are fired is whether or not the kidnappers are |
| Executives are advised to design, plan and test their | | | | approaching your direction and firing their weapons at |
| escape routes before a situation occurs. An escape is | | | | you. If you are well covered and safe, stay behind |
| breaking away from kidnappers when surrounded; it's | | | | cover and wait for assistance to arrive without |
| the action you take to get away from kidnappers | | | | exposing yourself. |
| during their attempt to capture you and take you | | | | Making a Vehicular Escape |
| hostage. The best time for you to escape is right | | | | Drive with all doors locked and windows up, and do |
| away at the scene of the attempted kidnapping. | | | | not drive in cars that draw attention such as |
| The key factor in surviving an attempted abduction is | | | | expensive foreign models. Tell your driver not to rush |
| to escape instantly. For any type of kidnap threat, the | | | | to stoplights or stop signs. Keep the vehicle in motion |
| first five seconds is the critical escape window. At the | | | | to prevent becoming a stationary target. Remember |
| initial abduction stage, resisting the kidnapper often | | | | to be most alert when driving from your hotel and/or |
| works to create ways to escape. If the executive | | | | office. These two locations are where kidnappings |
| observes the threat as it develops and acts | | | | generally occur. If approached by a stranger while in a |
| immediately, there is a much better chance of | | | | vehicle, drive off, back up the car, pull a swift U-turn |
| escaping. On the other hand, if the executive is caught | | | | and drive through the situation. Or if there is no other |
| completely off guard, kidnappers have all the | | | | option, ram through the threat. |
| advantages. Once the escape window has closed, | | | | You may find yourself being pursued by kidnappers |
| kidnappers will be in control. | | | | when in your vehicle. If your hotel driver or chauffeur |
| Do not allow kidnappers to take you from the primary | | | | keeps composed and plans ahead, kidnappers can be |
| location to a secondary location. Statistically, you have | | | | safely eluded. Prolonged high-speed driving for a |
| a better chance of escaping immediately than allowing | | | | non-security trained driver can be dangerous; |
| yourself to be taken to a secondary location. In most | | | | out-running kidnappers is seldom as successful as |
| cases the target will be restrained with handcuffs, | | | | out-maneuvering and out-thinking them. |
| blindfolded and drugged with an anesthetic while being | | | | This is where pre-planning and studying the roads |
| transported from a primary to a secondary location | | | | within miles of your hotel, residence and office comes |
| for confinement, making escape difficult. | | | | in to play. The most important element in making a |
| Therefore, escape immediately. If necessary, use your | | | | vehicular escape is to know the escape routes |
| hit-and-run tactics to distract the kidnappers. Your | | | | beforehand. Simply put, I'm talking about paying a high |
| escape method should be to run to a safe haven. | | | | price in preparation so that you get maximum results in |
| Your course of travel can be either preplanned or | | | | the implementation. You should know the area and its |
| unplanned in an attempt to depart the scene of an | | | | roads better than potential kidnappers, being able to |
| attempted kidnapping. Go to a secure location - | | | | safely navigate the back streets and secondary |
| anywhere that is illuminated well, has other people | | | | routes, quickly speeding away and getting out of sight |
| around and is safe. A safe haven is a place where | | | | of the kidnappers. Travel the shortest, safest routes to |
| you are no longer vulnerable; it could include a | | | | a prearranged safe haven such as a police station or |
| crowded shopping mall, local police station, military | | | | friendly embassy. Keep safe out there and God |
| installation, embassy or consulate, hotel or medical | | | | speed. |