Seal Survival Guide

by Cade Courtley

  5. When you are certain the hijacker is thoroughly restrained, remove their ability to see, hear, and speak. Blindfold and gag this person thoroughly.

  6. At least two people must maintain a constant watch on the hijacker. If the hijacker moves or tries to get free, be ready to pounce.

  I enjoyed using these techniques to subdue a prisoner when my platoon had the opportunity to take a very bad man responsible for over twenty thousand deaths to the war crimes tribunal in the Hague. Old poopy-pants did not enjoy that night one bit. Wish we could have sent him free-falling without a parachute. Dare to dream.

  The Outside World’s Response

  While you are dealing with this life-threatening situation inside the plane, there will be a whole series of events put into motion in the world outside. If the pilots are still in control of the plane, they will “squawk,” or transmit a code that lets everyone know they have been hijacked. NORAD (the North American Aerospace Defense Command) will then scramble fighter jets to intercept, and the FAA will work to clear the area of other aircraft while establishing the best location to land.

  Understand that since 9/11, one of the mission options of the fighter jet interceptor is to shoot down a hijacked airliner. This would clearly be a worst-case scenario, which is why it is so crucial to establish or reestablish communications with the outside world once the hijacker is subdued. If NORAD doesn’t know what is going on inside the plane, they could destroy it.

  If the pilots are still in control of the plane, the flight crew will notify them (using specific protocol) of the situation in the cabin. The pilots will then convey that information to NORAD and the FAA.

  If, however, the pilots are for some reason incapacitated, it will be up to the flight crew or perhaps even some of the passengers to take control of the plane and reestablish communication. To do so, go to the communication portion of the cockpit and dial in the following frequency: 121.5. This is a common frequency used for emergency situations. In a very clear and controlled tone provide the following information:

  • Who you are.

  • Flight number.

  • Current situation (“We’ve regained control of the plane!”).

  • Status of plane and pilots.

  Remember, the clock is ticking, and you have a couple of fighter jets with authorization to shoot you down. Follow all instructions you are given once you have established communication on the emergency frequency. You probably didn’t plan on flying a jumbo jet when you woke up this morning, but that may be exactly what you’re going to have to do.

  HOME INVASION

  In the United States, one in forty homes was targeted for a home invasion in 2012. Home invasions now account for one in four robberies, since the traditional targets like gas stations and convenience stores have initiated plans that make less cash available and make targeting them not worth the trouble for professional criminals. Law enforcement now makes a distinction between burglary or robbery, in which assailants unlawfully force their way into a home, apartment, or hotel room to commit a crime, and home invasion, a predetermined, more sophisticated, better-planned, and often much more violent crime that occurs within a person’s residence.

  Tactics used by home invaders have become increasingly brutal, with a third of all home invasions turning physically violent, often leading to rape, torture, and even murder. Home invasions are just as frightening as any apocalyptic event, since these are life-threatening situations that jeopardize our person, our family, and our right to live in a secure environment. Having your property stolen is an enraging and frustrating experience. Add intimidation, assault, and other heinous acts committed in the sanctuary of your home to the list, and home invasion becomes an intolerable crime. Learning the skills necessary to fight back and survive a home invasion are essential now and would be of paramount importance if the stakes for survival were even higher, especially in the aftermath of a catastrophic event.

  Home invasion is motivated generally by the intention to steal property, and less frequently to commit kidnapping. Targeting a home is less risky for criminals than robbing commercial establishments. Unlike with robbing a retail store, a home invasion is far less likely to be interrupted by police on the beat or by random pedestrians entering the scene. Once the offenders take control of a residence, they force occupants to open safes, locate hidden valuables, supply keys to the family car, and provide PIN numbers to their ATM cards. Home invaders will try to increase their escape time by disabling the phones and sometimes will leave their victims bound or incapacitated. It is not unheard-of for robbers to load up the victim’s car with valuables and drive away without anyone in the neighborhood taking notice.

  There is no single correct response to a life-threatening home invasion scenario. There are tools to help you, but ultimately the choice is personal, based on your own assessment of your physical and mental capabilities and your evaluation of the level of imminent danger. But if you continue to remember that the goal is to survive, you will endure.

  Tiger Kidnapping

  Police refer to a more sophisticated and dangerous type of home invasion as a tiger kidnapping. It gets its name from the fact that highly trained professionals stalk their victim’s every move for weeks or months like a predator prior to striking. In a tiger kidnapping, a person of importance to the victim is held hostage and is used as collateral until the victim has met the criminal’s demands. For example, the president of a bank is told his family will be killed if he does not empty the safe at his branch.

  Tiger kidnapping is the most sophisticated and ultimately the most dangerous of all home invasions. It involves two separate crimes committed in tandem. The first crime usually involves the abduction of a person to be held hostage, but sometimes blackmail is employed instead—sensitive information, or the threat of revealing damaging information, can be used as a means to coerce collaboration from the abducted. Instead of simply robbing the victim, the captors demand that a second crime, which could be anything from robbery or murder to planting a bomb, be committed on their behalf by someone close to the hostage in exchange for the hostage’s safe return. Although a similar situation could be enacted via blackmail and without kidnapping, home invaders know this method expedites results. Hostages are held by captors as collateral until their demands are met. Unlike with blackmail, perpetrators don’t have to wait for response to their demands via phone calls or notes, or take the chance of getting police involved. Instead, in these scenarios, the goal of the captors is to have their dirty work performed by another person, who is referred to as the “human key.” In addition, in many instances, the victims of these tiger kidnappings are less likely to report the offense to authorities since they too, technically, were involved in committing a crime. As in the example of a bank employee who helps in a robbery, even if he does so under threat that his family would be harmed, he has in effect also committed a crime, and often remains secretive. Fearing repercussions in regards to the level of their involvement, or concerned about the criminal’s return, many victims are reluctant to report their ordeal to authorities. In any case, tiger kidnappings are well-planned operations, in which the victims have been under surveillance and stalked for a considerable amount of time.

  It’s a very strange thing to know that another human being is stalking you. With the work I did in Iraq, I knew that every time we left our secure compound, we were under surveillance by the “bad guys.” You wondered in the back of your mind: “Is this the time they’re going to pounce?” This is what keeps you at a maximum state of alert. And each time we returned to the safety of our compound, I said: “Not today.”

  STAGES OF TIGER KIDNAPPINGS

  After the target is stalked and their daily routine is well recorded, then the attack begins. In contrast to burglaries and robberies, which are often crimes of opportunity, home invaders are usually very familiar with the layout of the home or apartment. Nevertheless, the most effective way to gain entry is through the front door or garage.
Occasionally, well-armed home invaders forcibly enter the home by kicking open the door and then deal with whomever they find inside. More commonly, home invaders prefer not to make such a scene on the street, especially if the front door is visible to neighbors or public roads. Various ruses are used to get you to open the door, such as pretending to deliver flowers or packages. Some may pretend to solicit some service or say that they are working on a neighbor’s house and wish to give a free estimate of some sort, or that they were in an accident and need to use your phone. The list of ways to get you to open the door by simply ringing the bell is long. It’s surprising how many people do just that and swing open the door upon the first knock.

  In Special Operations, when our mission involved the entry, or “breaching,” of a house or structure, there were two ways we got in. The most dramatic, and the type portrayed in movies, is called “dynamic entry.” This is when we blow away the fortified entry with explosives or use a “hooligan tool,” a crowbar-type device, to give us instant access. However, given the enemy’s knowledge of our tactics and use of fortification, the “soft entry” has become the preferred method. Using this technique, we exploit the house’s weaknesses and enter without making undue noise. This gives us the upper hand via stealth and surprise. Home invaders aren’t going to use dynamite, and nearly always try the soft entry. The best way to make your house a difficult target for home invaders is to identify all the soft entry points and install basic hardware and safety devices. (See “Burglary and Robbery,” page 106.)

  Prevention and Rehearsal

  As with most survival techniques, it is better to contemplate the unthinkable beforehand. Look at your home and create and play your mental movie of what plan of action would be best in the dire event of a home invasion. In Special Ops we always focused on rehearsal prior to a mission. You can do the following to rehearse for a home invasion with your family:

  • Establish a code word that everyone knows means trouble. This will initiate an escape plan and a proper course of action. The seriousness of this word must be made clear; it should never to be used unless in a do-or-die situation.

  • Draw a sketch of the interior of your home and mark alternate points of exit that could be accessed while avoiding the area the attackers have breached. Also, have more than one escape route, including alternate escape plans for the front, rear, and second floor.

  • Set up a safe room in your home. Use a signal or your special code word to notify family members when to get to it without question or hesitation.

  • Do not make rehearsals a scary situation for children. As in a school fire drill, children can be great assets if taught to remain calm when under stress.

  • Teach children how and when to dial 911, activate an alarm panic button if you have an alarm system, or escape to the neighbor’s house to summon the police.

  MAKING A SAFE ROOM

  If space allows, choose a certain room as a designated safe room. This is a good plan not only for home invasions but for other emergencies or in the event of natural disasters. This particular room should be a safe retreat to accommodate any number of emergencies. Primarily, the door should be fortified enough to delay an intruder during a home invasion or other terrorist threat. It should be equipped with an alarm panel, or a landline phone, or an inexpensive cell phone left there on permanent charge. A step further would be to have a police-band radio or any other means of communication to summon help. A safe room can be created and furnished with relatively little effort and expense.

  • Select an interior room or large closet with no windows or skylight.

  • Install a solid-core wood or steel door, and hang it so it opens or swings outward.

  • Replace the wooden doorjamb with a steel one, or reinforce the door trim with steel angle iron to prevent the door from being kicked open.

  • Install a keyless Grade 1 deadbolt (if your deadbolt can be opened with a key, you risk having the keys fall into the wrong hands).

  • Stock the safe room with necessary emergency items and a way to summon aid or defend yourself. This includes a cell phone, a flashlight, a first-aid kit, food, water, and defensive weapons.

  • Install an alarm panel, a direct-dial phone or a cell phone, and an electrical outlet for cell phone charging.

  • If possible, install a secret escape hatch with a way to get to the attic, the basement, or an alternative escape route.

  You are home, it is the evening, and suddenly you hear a very loud crash in the other part of your residence. You should:

  1. Call 911.

  2. Initiate security plan.

  3. Yell code word.

  4. Exit residence or move to safe room.

  5. Wait for the police to arrive.

  If unable to call 911:

  1. Initiate security plan.

  2. Yell code word.

  3. Exit residence or move to safe room.

  4. If inside safe room, attempt to call 911 again. Do not leave.

  If outside, move to prearranged location for help, such as a neighbor’s house, while calling 911.

  If unable to exit residence or move to safe room:

  1. Make an immediate threat assessment.

  • Why is this person here?

  • Are they going to harm my family or me?

  • Can I overpower this person to subdue them or allow for my escape?

  2. Allow them to leave if possible. Never risk life for property.

  3. Fight or comply, based on your threat assessment.

  4. Keep a cool head. Sometimes fighting and screaming works, especially if there are neighbors who will intervene or call police. But it makes no sense to risk fighting if you are physically incapable of doing so effectively, especially if the invaders are armed and you are not.

  5. If you do decide to strike a blow, do it fast, suddenly, and forcefully to the nose, eyes, or throat without concern for the damage you will inflict. (See also “Fighting,” page 146.) While the assailant is momentarily stunned, make your escape. Don’t stand there waiting to throw more punches or gather family members.

  6. Alternatively, total compliance sometimes works. At first there may be no chance for escape, but after a while you may see an opening. The invaders could just leave without harming you. However, compliance may increase the duration of the invasion and therefore increase the potential for molestation. Continue reevaluating the situation as it evolves.

  When Violence Comes

  The modus operandi of home invaders is to gain control of you and your family, regardless of your family members’ ages, instantaneously. Once they get into your home, they will become extremely aggressive and threatening. The greatest violence of a home invasion occurs within the first minutes; success depends upon instilling shock and fear in the victims. Frequently, in addition to weapons, home invaders bring handcuffs, ropes, duct tape, or plastic bands to bind the home’s occupants. It is not unusual for the home invaders to pick one family member to physically assault, for the purpose of rendering all witnesses absolutely submissive. If this happens, and the surprise has made it impossible to fight back, the victim should curl up into a ball and try to protect their head and face with their arms. Feign that you are more injured than you really are, and perhaps even consider appearing unconscious.

  At this point, do not look directly at the attackers, or talk or argue with them. It’s important to defuse their initial rage and adrenaline rush by acting in a nonthreatening manner. They will likely divide family members and place them in separate areas of the house, as another means to gain psychological manipulation. These professionals know they must show dominance and control, so at this phase, let the intruders believe they have executed this part of the assault successfully. This will not only limit physical violence but will give you more time and allow for an opportunity to escape.

  While it will be difficult to be assaulted, or watch a loved one be assaulted, this is the time to remain alert and gather intelligence that can be used a
gainst your attackers. This information will be valuable as you form your plan for survival and ultimately for your escape.

  • Identify the leader of the group and who’s who in their chain of command.

  • Consider why you were targeted: Is it access to money or valuable information?

  • Who is valuable among your family members, and whom would the attackers consider expendable? Are they here to make one of your group a “human key”?

  SERE: Survive, Evade, Resist, Escape

  The first course of action in a home invasion is to have at least one family member escape so they can summon police. Everything you do is geared toward achieving this goal.

  Now that you have survived the initial violation of your home and person, you must use your intelligence to outwit the attackers. When you’re bound or captured, the idea is to gain time. An opportunity will arise to get away, as long as you keep your cool and stay alert. There are ways to establish a bond with your captors. The more personable and calm you are, the greater the possibility of establishing communication with your assailants. It is ideal to attempt to humanize the attackers, such as by calling them by name. Again, this is for the purposes of buying time and making it through the ordeal.

  BEING A POW

  One of the many grueling aspects of SEAL training is the two weeks we prepare for what I would consider to be the worst-case scenario in war: getting captured. We must pass two horrendous weeks of being a POW. The skills learned from this can help if you find yourself bound and subdued during a home invasion. When I went through it, I lost twenty-two pounds and came out looking like a different person, though hardened and more experienced. POW training stresses what we call SERE, which stands for “survive, evade, resist, escape.” Remember this acronym as your plan of action. All of these techniques could save your life in a home invasion. Our training included being placed in a three-by-three-foot concrete box for one of the weeks without food and nothing more than a coffee can to urinate into. We were taken out and interrogated, beaten, and worse. Our simulated captors tried to make us tell them the secret we were told, and in so doing we learned how to survive, giving up only pieces of information at a time. This makes captors think we are useful and keeps us alive another day, which is actually giving us another opportunity to escape. Time is your friend.