What to do in a Hijacking

Nowadays terrorists may strike almost anywhere, and there is a chance that you might be subjected to some form of terrorist attack. The events of September 11 2001 – terrible though they were- formed a highly successful terrorist plan. It woke the world up to the power of terrorism and the terrorists’ total disregard for innocent people.

Taking control of a vehicle to use as a weapon of destruction is not, strictly speaking, hijacking. Hijacking assumes that the terrorist have demands, and have chosen a passenger vehicle to use hostages as a tool of negotiation to either attain those demands or gain publicity for them. In a 9/11-style attack, you can do no better than the passengers of United Airlines Flight 93, and try your best to overpower the terrorists.

World governments advocate that they will not give in to hijackers’ demands. This is not strictly true as many have paid ransoms to hijackers not least to the Somalia Pirates albeit the actual negotiations and handovers have been organised by the ship’s insurance companies using marine security organisations as regularly documented in the Marine Security Review.

In any event, hijacked passengers and crews do undergo long periods of high stress often resulting in eventual release, but occasionally death. Obviously, survival in these situations is a very tuff challenge, but not impossible. In all survival situations the basic rules are the same, and you will benefit from knowledge, confidence, physical condition, a sense of humour and the will to survive. The usual survival priorities of protection, location, water and food still apply. Your best personal approach is to adopt as low a profile as possible – Protection, be constantly aware of your surroundings – Location, keep yourself hydrated, by drinking water, not alcohol – Water, and eat whenever it is possible – Food.

Blend In.

When hijacked, it is vital to assess the hijackers at the outset, and ascertain their potential to carry out their task, their political and religious beliefs, their aims, even the actual group they belong to. Generally, you will be told some of these things early on. If your political, religious beliefs or nationality do not conflict with the hijackers’, your chances of surviving are slightly higher than those of someone to whom this does not apply. If someone is executed to prove a point, the hijackers are more likely to pick someone they dislike. If you are unlucky enough to simply be from the wrong place, avoid attracting attention, become the grey-person the person that no-one really notices.

Extremes.

Despite all your efforts, hijackers may become violent towards you. At this stage, there is very little you can do. If you are absolutely sure you can overpower the terrorist – or you are certain that they are about to take your life – then fight. Otherwise, resistance will only make the situation worse, so do your best to take it. Show pain naturally, when it hurts: showing pain too early can make the aggressor impatient and more violent; trying to show how ‘tough’ you are will just get you beaten to death.

Gaining the respect of your captors through arrogant resistance only happens in movies. If you decide to risk game playing, try to build a relationship; if you can get a good rapport, it often leads to survival. If not, of course, you are liable to become the first victim.

Your bearing will affect the way you are treated. Some people have a ‘military style’ about them; they walk very upright, with an air of authority. Avoid this at all costs, as the terrorists, who will be used to the police and military, will assume you are a soldier or undercover operator and quickly eliminate you. On the other hand, slouching and looking unconcerned will mark you out as an arrogant troublemaker. Being aware of your body language and adjusting it accordingly is a very important skill that you should think about and practice before you need it in a real life emergency.

Communicating.

Communication, or the lack of it, is a difficult area. Your non-verbal communication will begin the process. It is hard to get the balance right; showing hate is as provocative as showing compassion in some situations. Try to look attentive, obedient. Inevitably, any communication will single you out and defeat the object of keeping a low profile.

If you have to communicate avoid deep eye-to-eye contact, but do not avoid eye contact altogether, as this is antagonistic. Blatantly looking away from your aggressor is as much an act of defiance as staring.

Rescue.

The decision to use military force to effect a rescue is only ever made after all other efforts have failed, when the lives of the hostages are seriously at risk. The country you are in may not have a properly trained, professional, competent, ant-terrorist force. Specialists may have to be brought in for support and advice as the crisis unfolds. Information gathered by the authorities needs to be correlated and assessed and this takes time.

Even an experienced anti-terrorist team has its limitations. The aircraft may have been flown through restricted airspace, and the observers’ surveillance craft not allowed to follow, although it will still be tracked. If the plane is flying from place to place, then the team may monitor its fuel consumption and plan an assault when the plane has to refuel at the next stop. Available refuelling facilities can be identified in advance and an assault planned.

Release.

As a goodwill gesture, hijackers often release some hostages. If you are so lucky, the authorities will need to interview you as soon as possible to get a better idea of the threat. Whilst still a hostage, make mental notes of events and descriptions of the terrorists, it will help if you can use known images as identity markers for example: look-a-likes, he looks like John Lennon etc. Take note of the weapons in use and the armed terrorist locations. If you are not released early, your chances of being involved in some form of armed conflict will have increased. Most assaults begin with stun grenades; these cause a shock wave that affects the balance and co-ordination. Do not run, there is likely to be a hail of bullets and a lot of confusion moments after the assault begins, so standing up exposes you, and the rescuers have enough to do without you popping up and down. The best option is to drop to the floor with your hands outstretched showing that you are unarmed and not in a position to trigger an explosion. If possible stay in this position until you are ordered to move- hopefully by a friendly force. If you have to move because of fire or other hazard stay low, and if possible, evacuate the aircraft. Once outside, stay down and get clear of the aircraft if you can, remember to keep your empty hands in full view, do not carry anything. If you are not sure where to go, lie down and stay in position until you are told to move.

Survivor’s Guilt.

If you survive a hijacking, you may have stood by whilst others were executed, even possibly because you kept a low profile. This can bring intense – but inappropriate – guilt. You have survived an encounter with people who have no scruples about killing, and you are not ever responsible for the actions of others.