How to Escape a Kidnapper as an Adult

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Letting an abductor take you to a second location reduces your odds of getting out alive. Follow these steps to thwart them early.

Warning
Fighting back against an assailant is risky and could lead to injury.

Step 1: Make a fuss
Make a lot of noise. At the initial point of contact, your abductor's biggest fear is having attention called to them. Raise enough of a ruckus and they may end up running away from you.

Tip
Yelling "FIRE" is more effective at getting attention than yelling "HELP."

Step 2: Fight back
Fight back however you can – kick, bite, claw, or punch. Research shows you have a better chance of escaping a weaponless attacker by resisting. It may even be worth the risk if they're brandishing a gun or knife, in order to prevent them taking you to a second location.

Tip
If they grab your arm, wave it up and behind you in a rapid windmill motion, which can break their grip.

Step 3: Escape a moving car
If the abductor gets you into a vehicle, try to jump out in a populated area where you can quickly get help. If you're locked in a trunk, feel around for a latch to release the lock, or find the wire connected to the taillights and yank it hard enough to cause them to go out, which may attract a police officer.

Step 4: Crash the car
If you're in the car and can't open a door to jump out, crash the car by yanking the steering wheel, or try to throw it into another gear. If your captor stops the car for any reason, jam something into the ignition so the car won't restart.

Step 5: Leave clues
Leave clues in the car, and wherever you're taken along the way – a piece of jewelry, a clump of your hair, a distinctive button. They could help police pinpoint your location.

Step 6: Observe your surroundings
If they bring you to another location, keep your eyes open for possible escape routes. Flip the lights on and off repeatedly if you can; cops may recognize that as a distress signal. Observe your captor's routine so you can gauge a good time to try to break free.

Tip
Ask to use the bathroom, and then jam a toilet with something. An overflowing toilet might provide the distraction you need to escape, or get someone else's attention.

Step 7: Call 911
If you manage to dial 911, leave the phone connected, and then get away from it. If you don't stay with the phone, the kidnapper might not notice it's been dialed, and this could buy enough time for the police to trace your location.

Step 8: Leave evidence
Try to claw your attacker so that, if the worst happens, their DNA will be under your fingernails.

Did You Know?
The majority of adult abductions are women who are taken by men they know, whether it's a partner, an ex, or an acquaintance.

[ilyz]

ask to use the bathroom? if the teacher won't let go, why would a kidanapper let you?

[vivifruit]

You do realize that yelling fire will cause people to run away right?

[ivegotajousyaccent]

0:21 'Fighting back against an assailant is risky and could lead to injury.'
0:41 'Fight back however you can. Kick, bite, claw or punch.'
*_What?_*

[ChristopherBourke]

tells not to attack kidnapper

tells to attack kidnapper

[lennyshotgun]

Warning: don't fight back

Step two: fight back anyway you can

What?

[iluvlolz]

Step 1. Kick em in the nuts.
Step 2. Run away and yell FREE TVS!!!! That will most likely attract SOMEONE!
Step 3. Celebrate your escape by telling the police.

[thedoverking]

If they grab you just say you have recently been to west Africa and think you have Ebola, then start vigorously coughing and portending to through up.

[wotan]

Good advice here- NEVER let a kidnapper take you to another location- your chance for survival diminishes greatly- its better to jump from a speeding car than to end up at the other location.
A kidnappers level of control over their victims increases with each moment of captivity.

[MysticSpinx]

"Grab the steering wheel and crash the car" BITCH ARE YOU INSANE? RIGHT I ESCAPE THE KIDNAPPER BUT THEN PROCEED TO DIE IN A CAR CRASH

[doublebaconchaseburger]

People, the warning did NOT say YOU SHOULDN’T FIGHT A KIDNAPPER. It said that you should do it at your own risk. Step 2 explained how to do it, but it is still dangerous give or take!

[MustacheCashStash]

This is one of the scariest Howcast videos I’ve ever seen

[TheRandomeez]

Me myself being a Kidnapper, I thank howcast for letting me know how this 'escape' method is done. Now I can take precautions and train to resist these tricks.

[najeyrifai]

"Courage, Aggression, Ingenuety, and Keen observation." what is this? The Karate Kid?

[Pizzaboy]

Step 1: Scream and fight until they are knocked out or decide to run away.
Try yelling: "FREE PLASMA SCREEN TV's!" This should attract someone to help, but you will be down 1 Plasma TV.
Step 2: VICTORY SCREECH!

[proshot]

Yeah because the kidnapper is totally going to let you walk around freely, it's not like he will tie you up or anything.



Howcrap

[teakos]

Little side tip:
If you recognise that someone is weird or following you call someone - even if it's a fake call - and say loud enough for him to hear that you'll be there in a few minutes. Thjs will probably make him hesitate because he knows someone is waiting for you.

Or act weird. Start talking to yourself or the streetlamp. Jump around or giggle like a maniac

[MrSlimeySlimer]

Okay howcast you're tripping me up. First you tell me not to fight then you tell me to try and beat the shit out of them. The fuck. 

[Warriorcatslover-zbsj]

Why is she walking home from the grocery store in the woods?!Where is her house?!How'd she get from in the middle of the forest to a populated area so quickly by walking?!

[TeamNuclear]

"Don't fight back" (20 seconds later) "fight back"

[pinkfedoras]

Remember when this used to scare the hell out of you as a kid?