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http://www.unl.edu/eskridge/cj394survive.html

A Survival Manual for Hostages

l. Remember that time is on your side. The longer the
duration of the incident, the more likely the chance
of successful rescue.

2. Cooperate in every way possible. Do whatever the
hostage takers tell you to do. By the same token,
beware of the Stockholm Syndrome where the hostages
become sympathetic with and eventually join their
captors.

3. Locate yourself away from windows and doors and as
far as you can from the hostage takers.

4. Take notice of all furniture or other objects or
walls which might offer some protection, should there
be shooting.

5. Inform your captors of your medical condition if
you have any special disabilities. You may even
consider making one up about yourself or one our your
family, IF you can be convincing. They may let you go
and/or not execute you.

6. Note everything about the hostage takers - their
numbers, their weapons, their physical appearance and
characteristics, their apparel, their behavioral
traits, their manner of dealing with each other. Try
to remember any unusual words or accents. Determine
who is in charge.

7. Avoid abrupt movements.

8. Converse with the terrorists. Make them treat you
like a person. Make them recognize you as a person who
also has problems. Do not let them put any item over
your head.

9. Maintain yourself to the fullest extent possible.
Give close attention to personal cleanliness, clothing
repair, physical exercise, mental activity such as
reading, writing, memorizing, and even give close
attention to spiritual needs.

10. Keep in touch with outside reality as much as
possible. Do not lose touch with external guideposts.
Set up a pattern of behavior and establish goals.

11. Make every effort to remain aware of the time of
day. Even without a watch you can be alert to clues
that signal the passing of time changes in
temperature, meal patterns, outside sounds, cyclical
behavior of your guards. Establish some kind of crude
calendar which can be used to celebrate holidays,
birthdays and other special events.

12. Maintain control over your own space. Consider
personalizing it by rearranging things, designate
specific places for your various activities, keep the
place clean, add to the furnishings if possible.

13. Remain alert at every moment to the possibility of
an opportunity for escape, but be absolutely certain
that you can succeed.

14. Bear in mind that the hostage takers are
unpredictable and it is unwise to engager in a
physical struggle with them or attempt to retaliate.

15. Keep calm and have faith that you will be rescued.

from Irving Goldaber, “A Survival Manual for
Hostages,” Assets Protection, Vol 4(4), l982, pp.
16-17.