A Hostage is defined as somebody held prisoner by a person or group such as a criminal or a terrorist organization until specific demands are met or money is handed over.

To deal effectively with a Hostage situation, it is first important that you understand the circumstances of the captivity and the type of person or grouping who has seized the Hostage.

Hostage taking is a frequently reported occurrence, both as part of terrorist tactics and criminal enterprise with hostages coming from all walks of life. Figures vary but it is estimated that there are over 20 000 reported hostage incidents worldwide annually. This is, in all likelihood, only a fraction of the actual number.

Many hostage incidents in Iraq, involving Western hostages, begin by criminal elements seeing a financial opportunity and selling the hostage to a political grouping. In many parts of the world, particularly in Latin America and Eastern Europe, it is simply a business. Many terrorist and criminal acts are acute in nature with most of the subsequent response involved in Post-Incident activity. Hostage incidents however, tend to be protracted in nature with the Hostage Takers as well as Primary (the Hostage) and Secondary victims (members of the family, business or CP team) being engaged in an extended situation during the incident.

The duration of a Hostage incident means that there is much opportunity to influence its outcome by the behavior of all people concerned.

In general there are five basic reasons why people take hostages:

Political. Classic, terrorist type. May be airline or embassy takeover or indeed such as we see on Al Jazeera with Western hostages in Iraq. Recent examples of political hostage taking are, the British sailors held in Iran and the Israeli soldiers kidnapped by Hezbollah in Lebanon in 2006.

Secure an Escape Route. Tends to occur when a crime is discovered in progress and the security forces respond by sealing off the escape. Hostages are then taken in order to barter for an escape or freedom. Another similar example is a hijack, where the aircraft is redirected to a chosen location (the Afghan refugees at Stanstead in 2001 or indeed the Achille Lauro ship hijack in 1986).

Financial Gain. A business. Hostages are taken in kidnappings and held at an unknown location (s). A particular problem in Italy (Aldo Moro being a good example) and Latin America. Sometimes the need for funds may not be criminal but to finance terrorism (Iraqi middle class hostages).

Mental Disturbance. The Hostage Taker is an individual with personality defect or simply under severe stress. Careful management is needed in these cases due to the volatile nature of the event. Careless intervention may promote a suicide attempt with initial sacrifice of hostage (s). The Waco siege being a good example of this.

Institutional Reasons. Possibly a prison siege that develops from a riot, often over seemingly trivial reasons that are very important to the inmates. These are often best resolved via minor concessions and allowing the siege to run its course.

Irrespective of the motivation of any Hostage taker, those at risk of being taken hostage benefit considerably from Hostage Survival training.

It is rare that a Hostage will be killed. Indeed, we have already seen it is often senseless to do so because a Hostage Taker loses any or all leverage once the Hostage is dead. Incidents where a Hostage has been killed have often resulted from poorly handled deadlines.

In Iraq, some, but not all Western hostages have been killed. However, there has been considerable time between captivity and execution. Time that can, and should, be well used. This time can often be extended by careful handling of the situation by both the Hostage and any external authorities.

Hostage takers broadly fall into one of seven categories each with their own peculiarities, demands and mental states. The Hostage and Negotiators must understand who they are dealing with in order to maximise the chance of a successful outcome.

Political. Rarely a random or unplanned incident. The Hostage taking is simply part of a wider campaign. Obeying orders psychologically absolves the Hostage Taker from the act of killing. Hostages must not 'threaten' the cause in any way. If on drugs their behavior may, under stress, verge on the psychotic. They will tend to over-react to minor success or setback. They will however, mostly, not harm hostages simply for the sake of doing so.

Fleeing Criminal. An example being the Stockholm bank raid in 1973. The Hostage Taker may begin to model himself as a political extremist in order to raise himself above the level of a common thief. Often, once they realize the hopelessness of their situation, they capitulate in return for very minor concession. Hostages should aim to build a relationship and convince him of similar hopes and aspirations – whilst not internally empathising with him. Rational discussion often resolves this situation rapidly.

Religious Fanatics. These are a particularly dangerous form of Hostage Taker. Throughout centuries, fanaticism has created a catalog of death and injury to opposing factions. Fanaticism has been likened to a kind of 'Collective Madness', inspired by revelations or interpretations of apparently divine happenings. In many cases, it is the group perception that the Hostage represents some form of Satanic force to be eradicated. As a Hostage in this scenario, you should never disagree with the Hostage Taker – you will be sacrificed early with the Hostage taker feeling fully justified. You must maximise the time you remain alive through developing rapport.

Chronically Disturbed. Often unaware he is a Hostage Taker and often very frightened. Try to find what he wants and gently guide him towards seeing that he will achieve this by letting the Hostage free unharmed.

Acutely Disturbed. May result from breakdown in a relationship. He may be holding his wife or child. Normally Hostages should humanize themselves and form a rapport. In this case it is important that the Hostage remains as impersonal as possible in order to avoid becoming the target of rage.

'Wronged Person' – Possibly a disaffected employee who feels personal affront at a shift in corporate policy. In this case, Hostages are often seen as simply a means to express a grievance. He will often demand publicity in order to voice his grievances. In these case, the Hostage should sympathise with the captor – at least verbally, and introduce the idea that the siege itself has given him the publicity he desires and that it may now be time to release the Hostage.

Institutionalised Captor . Normally he has very little power. He now has enormous power, often over those who previously held him – possibly prison guards. It is likely that he will seek to humiliate his Hostage. He will often react well to even minor concessions which may seem otherwise trivial. Never antagonise such a hostage taker.

Whatever motivation underlies the incident, the key to survival is to convince the Hostage Taker of the following points:

The Hostage Taker's objectives will be best met if the Hostage is released.

The Hostage is worth more alive than dead.

It is not in the Hostage Taker's best interests to harm the Hostage.

AIMS OF A CAPTIVE

When captured, your mind will undergo a plethora of emotions. These emotions and conflicting thoughts can often seem to overwhelm you at and beyond the point of capture.

It is important therefore that, given any number of scenarios and apparent conflicts, you can focus yourself on a small checklist of things that are critical to your survival . These are known as the Aims of a Captive and you must be entirely familiar with them.

Escape. Many people think of old WW2 films whenever we mention escape from captivity. Although many daring escapes took place during WW2, it is worth remembering that many more failed and resulted in death, recapture and / or reprisal against remaining prisoners. Consider if the risks in an escape attempt outweigh the benefit before you take action.

If you escape – your captivity is over and your next task is to get back home, you may have to consider Survival and Evasion. The bottom line is that you must PLAN AHEAD if at all possible. It will occupy your mind with positive thoughts as well as practical ones and help to take your mind away from your situation.

Thomas Hamill was a driver for the Haliburton Group who was held hostage in Iraq in 2004. He had many opportunities to escape but he was held in the middle of nowhere and therefore decided his best chance of survival was to wait. His opportunity came when one day he heard military vehicles and ran outside to freedom.

Avoid Selection for Maltreatment. The guide for this is 'Remain the Gray Man'. Do not stand out and make yourself a victim for further maltreatment. This is as appropriate for those held alone as for those held in groups. Be polite to your captors and conceal your feelings and emotions. Listen carefully to everything and obey reasonable orders. Pause and think before answering any questions. Do not carry incriminating items – ensure you never carry items on any operation that you do not need. Beware overuse or underuse of eye contact. Too much eye contact may appear threatening – whilst too little may appear overly submissive and single you out for bullying treatment. Avoid suggestions – you will be blamed if it goes wrong.

Avoid Exploitation. Pretend an inability to think, remember or comprehend. Claim ignorance of accusations. Stall for time when presented with demands from your captors. Above all – Think before acting, and ask yourself, 'Can I do this and live with the consequences?'

Survive With Honor. The meaning of this is really determined by the individual. However, it may be best described by an ability to conduct yourself in such a manner that you will be able to live with the consequences of your actions for the rest of your life.

In the next article, we will write about how the initial responders to a Hostage situation should behave in order to ensure the best possible outcome for the Hostage, in Training the Untrained Negotiator.