Since I survived being a hostage in the Camp Hill Prison riots in 1989, interviewers ask me that question often. They, like business executives, often have a fear of being taken hostage while traveling or in hot zones.
First, comply with your hostage takers. Remember, odds are if they want to get you, keep you, or kill you, they will. And remember you are more of an asset to them IF you are reasonably healthy and intact.
Second, think of yourself as an intelligence officer. Always be gathering intelligence. You never know WHEN the ideal opportunity to escape will happen.
Third, build trust. That might sound weird, but it is very productive and useful.
"Without compromising any rescue attempts or actions to regain control of the prison I was taken hostage in, I used these three keys to survive and to be relatively in great physical condition after the 3 day prison riot."
I complied with their orders and requests as best as I could, while doing everything I could to retain any amount of control over my destiny. I did pretend to be more severely injured than I was, so that I could stay in uniform, because that was important for rescue attempts later.
I continued to gather intelligence until my rescue. Noticing how many people were guarding me, who was in control, who wanted to be in control, who was a threat, and who were potential allies. I also gathered intelligence on the locations of the other hostages.
I built trust by contributing to conversations that were around me, and giving "advice" that would be seen as useful.
I hope that you never have to experience a situation like what I did in the Camp Hill riots, but if you do, remember, there is always hope.
Best to you,
Mr. Twenty Twenty
Exhostage.com
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