Hostage Situation-Environmental Health & Safety - Carnegie Mellon University

Hostage Situation

If you hear or see a hostage situation:

• Immediately remove yourself from danger.
• Notify the police by calling 8-2323 or 412-268-2323 and providing:
  • Location of incident
  • Number and description of hostage takers
  • Number of hostages
  • Your name, location and phone number

If you are taken hostage:

• Remain calm, be polite and cooperate with your captors.
• DO NOT attempt escape unless there is an extremely good chance of survival.
• Speak normally. DO NOT complain, avoid being belligerent and comply with instructions.
• DO NOT draw attention to yourself with sudden body movements, statements, comments or hostile looks.
• Observe the captors and try to memorize their physical traits or other details that can help provide a description.
• Try to establish a relationship with your captors and get to know them. Captors are less likely to harm you if they respect you.
• If forced to present terrorist demands to authorities, state clearly that the demands are from your captors. Avoid making a plea on your own behalf.
• Try to stay low to the ground or behind cover away from windows or doors.