Poor Man Survival
Self Reliance
tools for independent minded people…
ISSN 2161-5543
A
Digest of Urban Survival Resources
What is the point of being alive if you don’t try to do something
remarkable?
>John Green
What to do in a Hostage Situation
Your Mantra=I Will
Survive!
Given the horrific situation which took place in Florida this week I
thought it useful to provide this information to our readers this week. First, it should be known, I personally never
travel anywhere unarmed and I know this isn’t always practical for everyone,
but it is something everyone should at least investigate for themselves.
The first thing I was taught in the military
was to always be aware of your surroundings and to be ready to make use of what
is readily available as a weapon.
IMPROVISE! A makeshift weapon can
be fashioned from a tightly rolled magazine, or your shirt, a yardstick or
fashioned from the leg of a chair. An
extension cord can be used as a whip. A
man’s belt and buckle make for an excellent weapon. Even a bic pen can be used to stab an eye in
a close encounter.
If you’re among a group, do not
hesitate to band together and attack as an overwhelming force throwing whatever
you can [shoes make good weapons, especially high heels] to overcome your
assailant.
In a kidnapping situation find
something that you can use to cut your finger and draw some blood. Wipe that blood in an area which is not
obvious such as under a table, in a corner, on piece of carpet to leave just
enough evidence behind for police to find it.
This lets them know you are still likely alive.
These clues will alert police and
increase your odds of survival.
In a hostage situation, consider your
various options. Can you and your fellow
captives surprise and overwhelm your captor?
Can you improvise a weapon from a table leg, pipe, or do you carry a
weapon? Would it be wiser to play dead? Can you take refuge in an out of way spot?
Here are some other thoughts on how to
react if you are taken hostage.
- Stay calm. That’s tough to do in
any crisis but absolutely essential if you become the target of someone
with a gun and a grudge. The first ten to thirty minutes of a hostage
taking are often the most panicked. “Remember to breathe,” says a friend
at the CIA. “Inhale to a slow count of ten. Pause. Exhale to a count of
ten. Repeat as long as it takes to slow your heart rate and bring back
your ability to focus.” Calm is contagious. If those around you see you
keeping cool, it will help them maintain their composure.
- Fast moves may get you killed. But
if you see a clear chance to escape during the first moments, take it.
You’ll give yourself more opportunities if you routinely practice
awareness of your surroundings. Any time you enter a public space make it
a priority to find the exits and decide how you’ll reach them if there is
an emergency.
- Even as the threat develops, stay
alert. Continue to focus on your surroundings. What’s the physical layout
of the room you’re in? Is there just one bad guy or more? What do they
look like? How do they behave? How are they dressed? Are they wearing body
armor? How are they armed (pistols or long guns like rifles or shotguns)?
- Keep in mind the
hostage-taker may be just as scared as you are. Move slowly. If you
are told to produce identification or valuables comply but act with
deliberation. Speak only when spoken to and then speak softly and do not
make aggressive statements. Tough talkers are often the first to be killed
because hostage-takers view them as threatening and unpredictable.
- Don’t try to be a hero.
Considering escape is one thing. Trying to rush or overpower an armed
individual, unless you have been specifically trained to do so (police,
military, covert operations) seldom turns out as well as it does on TV. As
former FBI hostage negotiator Clint Van Zandt puts it, “It’s better to be
a live hostage than a dead victim.”
- If you have a health condition or
require medication, state your needs politely but firmly at the first
opportunity. If you have a safe opportunity to engage the hostage taker in
conversation, be respectful. Listen carefully to what he says, and the
tone. Don’t discuss politics or religion. Talk about your life or family.
- If you think you are
about to be killed, act decisively. Use the escape plan you’ve been
considering or use any weapon you can find and do so with as much noise
and violence as you can muster. Fight without stopping until the threat is
neutralized.
- If rescue begins, hit the floor and stay there. Standing up suddenly as police or other tactical responders come through the door may get you shot.
Your
Mantra=I Will Survive!
Within weeks of being discharged from the military,
I had a man pull a gun on me while I exited at store in a bad neighborhood of
Cleveland. He then forced me to drive him to his home. Demanding that I leave the car to enter his
home, I stood by him while he aimed his pistol at me. As he bent down to loosen the gate, I blasted
him with a kick and slammed him against the house. I disarmed him, grabbed the gun, jumped in my
car and took off…about three miles down the road it finally sank into my how
lucky I was to have learned how defend myself.
I urge folks to sign up for self defense classes
whenever possible and to always carry some kind of weapon even if it is a cane
or Kimber Pepper Spray which you can from
Amazon or eBay.
Given Obama penchant to blame everything on our
so-called lack of ‘gun control’ I strongly suggest obtaining a pistol and a
home defense shotgun now and learn how to use it. If you’re not well trained in the use of
firearms I suggest a revolver, a .357 will work for most home owners but if you
have children, think twice about storing it safely and practice at a range under
supervision.
Additional
Resources
The Anatomy of a Breakdown
The Prepper’s Blueprint: The Step-By-Step Guide To Help You Through Any Disaster
Prepper’s Home Defense: Security Strategies to Protect Your Family by Any Means Necessary
Contact! A Tactical Manual for Post Collapse Survival
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