Kidnapping Survival: Specialized Training and Expert Consultation
Practical, research-backed preparation for people operating in high-risk environments. We combine social psychology, real-case lessons and realistic drills to improve survival odds and reduce long-term trauma.
Most teams train for the physical threat. Few prepare for the psychological one.
Kidnapping and hijacking remain persistent global threats for diplomats, journalists, executives and maritime crews. Conventional training prioritizes physical defenses — but social psychology is the tactical advantage most teams miss.
Kidnapping Survival is a network of experts, led by Olav Ofstad, that blends legal, diplomatic and psychological expertise into training that anticipates captor dynamics and prepares people to act calmly under pressure.
Key risks
- Assaults during travel and transport
- Long-duration captivity with psychological strain
- Regional threats such as maritime hijacking
Real-world training, grounded in hands-on social psychology
Our training differs from methods generally offered by security agencies and conflict management trainers: we draw extensively on social psychology — an under-utilized science in both kidnapping survival and conflict management.
Travel security
General and specific precautions, tailored to your needs and destinations.
Assaults
How to handle attacks under different circumstances and reduce the risk of violence.
Kidnapping survival
How to survive captivity — practical and psychological tools.
Hijacking survival
Including hijacking at sea and in the air, with leadership responsibilities for officers.
Conflict resolution
Resolution and reconciliation, in principle encompassing any kind of conflict.
Kidnapping Survival — the book
A survival manual and a textbook for trainers. See the network's special book offer below.
See the books →The four phases of survival
Every incident follows a sequence: the initial assault, movement, confinement and eventual release. We train each phase with scenario-based drills and survivor testimony to build realistic, actionable responses.
Assault phase
Prioritize avoidance, de-escalation and rapid decision-making to minimize immediate harm.
Transportation
Manage stress, observe opportunities and maintain covert situational awareness while being moved.
Captivity
Use psychological strategies to build rapport, reduce hostility and protect mental health.
Release phase
Prepare for reintegration, medical assessment and trauma-informed debriefing to recover resilience.
Influence, not just defense
Unlike traditional agencies, we harness decades of conflict research to influence captor behavior. Strategic communication, controlled emotional presentation and subtle rapport-building can reduce violence and improve treatment.
About Olav Ofstad
Attorney and former diplomat Olav Ofstad codified these methods in his books and operational trainings. His approach turns passivity into purposeful action under duress.
Tailored training for your unique needs
Workshops as well as consultations are tailored to your needs and interests, in different formats.
Crash courses
Intensive, focused priming on the most important survival skills for travelling executives.
Workshops
Practical workshops for groups of up to 15, with hands-on scenarios — and a real kidnap victim taking part.
Refresher training
Periodic refreshers keep skills current and reduce decay under stress.
Please note that due to popular demand, we cannot always offer web consultations at short notice — we recommend booking ahead.
Our kidnapping survival training is relevant for
- Tourists
- Marine officers & crew
- Flight personnel
- Diplomats
- Business executives
- Journalists
- Soldiers
- Humanitarian workers
- Anyone exposed to kidnapping or hijacking risk
Relevant for anyone who wishes to develop these skills
Conflict resolution, reconciliation and mediation — from one-day courses to week-long programmes and lectures on selected topics.
Why learn conflict management? →Written by the lead trainer
Kidnapping Survival
The successor to Surviving Kidnappers: Precautions, Influence, Strategic Tools (2017), named after this network. It covers how to avoid kidnapping, what to do if you are assaulted, and what to do in captivity — plus a new self-help chapter, Recovery after kidnapping. A survival manual that also serves as a textbook for trainers.
Reviews & details →
Conflict Management in International Missions: A Field Guide
Real-time challenges international staff face in the field — academically solid yet hands-on. A step-by-step guide covering personal conflicts and security, a practical model of mediation, social psychology in third-party interventions, and a major chapter on peacebuilding.
Reviews & details →Surviving Kidnappers is now the first truly authoritative insider's guide on preparing frequent travellers and workers in high-risk areas ahead of the specific risk of kidnapping.Tim CurtisManaging Partner, The Security Cooperative — on the 2017 predecessor
Secure your consultation today
Global threats evolve — so must your preparedness. Book a Zoom consultation for a risk briefing and a tailored training plan, and pay securely online with PayPal.