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You’ve been abducted. Even if you did everything “right” to try to prevent it, it could still happen. Now the focus is directed at trying to survive the kidnapping. Your survival may well depend on the decisions you make while in captivity.

• Survive the initial kidnapping If you’re forced into a vehicle try to open the door and get out. Try to prevent the car from being started- grab and throw the keys, jam something else into the ignition. If you are forced into the trunk and can’t get out, try to kick out a tail light and stick your hand out to signal other drivers. If escape is not realistic–multiple armed attackers, for example–cooperate and try to think rationally.
• Be Vigilant Try to remember as much as possible to help you predict your abductors’ next move and give as much information as possible to the police later. What about your captor(s)? How many are there? Are they armed? What do they look and sound like? Make note of their age, physical condition, emotional state. Check out your surroundings, make note of the route taken and where your being held. Look for any security devices in case you do get a chance to escape. Observe your condition. Are you hurt? Are you restrained? If so, avoid struggling. You may discreetly test your bonds.
• Find out why you’ve been kidnapped If you are been held for ransom or political leverage you are worth more alive than dead. If you have been abducted by a serial killer or sexual predator or in retaliation for some political or military action, your kidnapper likely intends to kill you and you should base your decision to attempt escape on that basis.
• Keep a positive, survival attitude Prepare mentally for a long captivity. Take it one day at a time. Don’t get your hopes up if your captors talk about your release, take it with a grain of salt.
• Put your captors at ease Be calm and cooperate within reason. Establish a rapport with your captors. Appeal to his/her family feelings. Show pictures of your family if you have some. Be a good listener and appear to care about what they reveal. Do not insult your captor or discuss sensitive subjects.
• Stay mentally active Captivity can be mind-numbingly boring. Think of math problems, puzzles try to remember things you memorized in the past.
• Stay physically active Exercise if possible, push-ups, leg lifts, sit-ups. Whatever you can do so your muscles don’t atrophy.
• Blend in If there are more captives don’t do anything that may call undo attention to yourself.
• Escape only at the opportune moment. If the perfect situation presents itself and you have a solid plan, go for it. If you feel reasonably certain that you will soon be killed, you should take any chance you can.
• If a rescue attempt is made, stay out of the way If the authorities arrive to rescue you it is best for you to simply try to hide from your captors so you aren’t used as a human shield. Stay low and try to protect yourself in case explosives are used.
• Obey the rescuer’s instructions They are on edge and may shot first and ask questions later.

Read these guidelines over with your loved ones and hope you never have to try to survive a kidnapping.

Su Ericksen is a first degree TaeKwonDo black belt and has taught self defense workshops. She lives in the Midwest with her family and works at a large medical center in the cardiology clinic. Her website is: Self Defense-4-Women.com

To read more on this subject please visit: Prevent Kidnappings

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