What to do if kidnapped?

If you find yourself kidnapped, Jordan Harbinger and his guests offer some critical advice you should consider:

1. Time is Critical:

   • The longer a hostage situation lasts, the more value the kidnappers might see in you, potentially prolonging your captivity or endangering your life. Hence, quick action is crucial, but it's often beyond the control of the hostage themselves 1.

2. Proof of Life:

   • Establishing proof of life is essential in negotiations. This can involve asking specific questions that only the hostage can answer, ensuring that you're communicating with the actual captors and not intermediaries 2.

3. Managing Emotional and Physical Health:

   • It's important for both the hostage and their family to maintain their well-being. During negotiations, family members should take care of themselves, eat well, sleep, and follow structured routines to avoid burnout 3.
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       1

       Hostage Survival

       00:14:36
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       2

       Proof of Life

       00:17:02
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       3

       Negotiating with Kidnappers

       01:08:52
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       4

       Negotiating Kidnappings

       00:04:40
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       5

       Kidnapping Close Call

       00:03:14

4. Negotiations:

   • Professional negotiators often use open-ended questions to gain leverage. For instance, asking "How am I supposed to do that?" can disrupt the kidnapper’s demand-driven mindset and open up avenues for negotiation 4.

5. Stay Calm and Adapt:

   • In a negotiation or escape attempt, staying calm and using strategic moves can be crucial. For example, taking a different vehicle to avoid being tracked back to your location is a smart move that has been used in real-life situations 5.

For detailed advice, you can refer to episodes like How to Survive in a Secret Syrian Terrorist Prison with Matthew Schrier where he shares his experience and survival tactics during his captivity in Syria.