HOW TO AVOID A HIJACK SITUATION:Approaching and entering your driveway:
2km from your house strategy.  Be extra alert.  Switch off the car radio and concentrate on your surroundings.
If you have noticed any vehicle behind you, use the techniques you have learned during the hijack prevention & survival course to determine whether you are being followed.
Remember to stop your vehicle just on the inside of the gate and select reverse whilst waiting for the gate to close.
This creates confusion and may buy you a few seconds for the gate to close completely behind you.
Check your driveway and street before you leave or enter your premises. Make sure your driveway is well lit and clear from shrubbery where perpetrators can hide.
Be aware of unknown pedestrians close to your residential address – do not turn into your driveway – pass and go back later. Liaise with your neighbours – know them.
Be aware of vehicles parked close to your address with occupants inside.It might be perpetrators observing the area.
Be alert if your animals do not greet you at the gate as usual.It might be that the perpetrators over-powered them. Phone your home and ask for someone to make sure your driveway is safe and to open and close the gate for you. When returning home after dark, ensure that an outside light is on, or have someone meet you at the gate.  Check with your armed response company if they are rendering rendezvous services. If at any time you have to open the gate yourself, switch off the vehicle, leave the key in the ignition and close the door.  Then open the gate.  If you have small children in the vehicle, take the key with you (this is the only exception).  You need the key as a “negotiating tool”.  The perpetrators want your vehicle and you want your children.
If your children are older, it is advised that they exit the vehicle with you when opening the gate so that you are all separated from the vehicle should a hijack occur.
 

   Information you should know:If your vehicle is hijacked or stolen, promptly report it to the SAPS.  Make sure you have the vehicle details:  model, color, vehicle identification and registration numbers available to assist with the recovery of the vehicle.
When forced to drive with a hijacker, be observant without making direct eye contact and try to memorise as many details as possible. 
It is important to describe the hijacker as accurately as possible.When observing a hijacker, take note of his head and face – the shape of the eyes, mouth, nose and ears.  Take note of possible irregularities.  Look at the hair, skin color, complexion and possible scars and tattoos.  Observe the build, sex, body movement, clothing and any conversation that may take place.
Remember the direction from which they came and fled, as well as the time and place the incident happened.
Remember to make mental and physical notes immediately after the incident to ensure accurate and detailed information for the Police investigation.

  Taken hostage 
It can be helpful to have a survival plan in the back of your mind should such an incident occur.  It is difficult not to become paranoid about being taken hostage.  However, it is just as easy to become complacent.One very important fact to remember when being hijacked:
Should the conclusion of the drama be by way of armed intervention, and escape is not possible, immediately drop to the ground, remain still and obey the orders of the leader.

    If confronted:Do not lose your temper, threaten or challenge the hijacker.  DO EXACTLY AS TOLD BY THE HIJACKERS! Do not resist, especially if the hijacker has a weapon.  Surrender your vehicle and move away.  Try to put as much distance between yourself and the hijacker(s) as speedily as possible. Do not reach for your purse or valuables.  Leave everything in the vehicle. Try to remain calm at all times and do not show signs of aggression. Be compliant to all demands set by the perpetrator. Do not make eye contact with the hijacker.He may perceive this behavior as a threat and retaliate aggressively. Keep your hands still and visible to the hijacker, so as to give him assurance of your passive content. Do not speak too fast (if you are able to talk) and do not make sudden movements. Gather as much information as possible without posing a threat.
How many people?
How many firearms and description thereof?
What were the perpetrators wearing (clothing)?
To which direction did they drive off?
Take note of the language they use (the accent).
 

First phone the SA Police Service on 08600 10111.  They will dispatch the medical services if needed.  Other emergency numbers you could phone are 112 ANY Network (Vodacom+MTN+Cell C) or 147 Vodacom ONLY.
Activate the vehicle-tracking device, if the vehicle is fitted with one.

  The Effects of Trauma:Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)This is the term given to a particular range and combination of reactions following trauma.  Reactions following trauma can be divided into three main groups:Re-experiencing the event – a feeling that you are experiencing the original event all over again, through memories intruding into your waking or sleeping life.

Arousal reactions – you feel persistently aroused, nervous, agitated sense, anxious, tense, unable to settle or concentrate, over-reacting very sharply to small things and especially, having trouble sleeping.

Avoidance reactions – you make frantic efforts to avoid anything that could remind you of the trauma, or cause you to think or talk about it in any way.  You may shut down your feelings about other people and things you normally care about and keep to yourself.  You may feel unusually withdrawn and emotionally number.
 

   Five stages of trauma / loss:
Denial
Anger
Bargaining
Depression
Acceptance
The following is some general advice to help you cope with trauma in general and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in particular:
Do:Express your emotions. Talk about what has happened as often as you need to.  Seek trauma counselling. Try to keep your life as normal as possible by following daily routines. Find opportunities to review the experience. Look to friends and colleagues forsupport.
Don’t:Use alcohol, nicotine or other drugs to hide your feelings. Simply stay away from work or isolate yourself.  Seek help and support instead (counselling). Allow anger and irritability to mask your feelings. Hide your feelings and be afraid to ask for help. Think your feelings are a sign of weakness.
     Remember that your life is worth more than your vehicle!
 

   PROTECTING YOURSELF AGAINST HIJACKINGS
Amidst the increase in hijackings in South Africa, it is very important to know some of the following aspects:How do the hijackers operate? When am I most at risk? How do I avoid being hijacked? What do I do when confronted?

-::- HOW TO AVOID A HIJACK SITUATION: -::-

Sterling work has been done by specialists such as Richard and Melinda Rossouw of the National Hijack Prevention Academy [NHPA]. They have a vast experience in avoidance measures and also present driver training modules such as (a) Collision Avoidance/Skidpan and (b) Defensive Driving. They have made available to the public via the website www.hijack.co.za the following information on how to avoid a hijack situation. It is recommended to contact them via this website should you require further info on these and other courses.
  Approaching and entering your driveway:2km from your house strategy. Be extra alert. Switch off the car radio and concentrate on your surroundings. If you have noticed any vehicle behind you, use the techniques you have learned during the hijack prevention & survival course to determine whether you are being followed.

Remember to stop your vehicle just on the inside of the gate and select reverse whilst waiting for the gate to close. This creates confusion and may buy you a few seconds for the gate to close completely behind you.

Check your driveway and street before you leave or enter your premises. Make sure your driveway is well lit and clear from shrubbery where perpetrators can hide. Be aware of unknown pedestrians close to your residential address – do not turn into your driveway – pass and go back later. Liaise with your neighbours – know them. Be aware of vehicles parked close to your address with occupants inside. It might be perpetrators observing the area.

Be alert if your animals do not greet you at the gate as usual. It might be that the perpetrators over-powered them. Phone your home and ask for someone to make sure your driveway is safe and to open and close the gate for you. When returning home after dark, ensure that an outside light is on, or have someone meet you at the gate. Check with your armed response company if they are rendering rendezvous services. If at any time you have to open the gate yourself, switch off the vehicle, leave the key in the ignition and close the door. Then open the gate.

If you have small children in the vehicle, take the key with you (this is the only exception). You then need the key as a “negotiating tool”. The perpetrators want your vehicle and you want your children. If your children are older, it is advised that they exit the vehicle with you when opening the gate so that you are all separated from the vehicle should a hijack occur.

   Parking your vehicle:Check rear-view mirror to ensure you are not being followed.

When exiting your vehicle, be cautious and aware of surrounding obstructions and shrubbery that may be concealing a hijacker. Never sit in your parked vehicle without being conscious of your surroundings. Sleeping in a stationary vehicle is particularly dangerous.

When approaching your driveway, be on the lookout for suspicious vehicles / persons. This is very important as the majority of hijackers approach their victims in home driveways.