There are few situations worse than being stuck in an elevator for those who are terrified of heights, confined spaces, or both. If you ever find yourself stuck in the elevator between two floors (or if you're reading these words while stuck in the elevator), here's what you should do to make sure you get out quickly. What you need to keep in mind is that unless you are in a life or death situation, the best thing to do is to ask for help and wait. Many of the attempts to escape could put you in a more dangerous situation. To learn how to escape from a blocked elevator as safely as possible, go to Step 1 to get started.
Steps
Step 1. Stay calm
As soon as you realize you are stuck, you may feel a natural sense of panic build up. But you need to force yourself to stay as calm and calm as possible. If you start panicking, your body will suffer the effects, only making it harder for you to think clearly, and therefore making it harder for you to find a way out.
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Take a deep breath and relax your body. It is harder to panic when the body is relaxed.
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If you're not alone in the elevator, then panicking could lead others to do the same. And having several people panicked in an elevator is certainly not a safe situation. So, do your best to be a calming presence for the people around you.
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Step 2. Find a light source if the lights have gone out
If the elevator is in the dark, you can create some light with your cell phone or a flashlight keychain. Try not to keep your mobile on too long so as not to drain the battery. Creating light will help you see the keys and become more aware of your situation. If you are not reading these lines while stuck in the elevator, then check that your mobile has the "flashlight" option. If so, it can come in handy - at least as long as it doesn't drain your battery!
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It is also important to understand how many people are stuck in the elevator with you.
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Step 3. Press the call button
If it's dark, use the light source to find it. Then, press the call button to contact a technician to help you. This will alert the maintenance staff that there is a problem with the lift. This is the quickest and fastest way to get help - definitely better and safer than trying to do it yourself.
Step 4. If there is no answer, or if there is no call button, try to get help
Check if your mobile has range. If you have range, call 113. Abroad, the emergency number varies by country: Europe has set 112 as a general emergency number, in the United States and Canada it is 911.
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If you still don't get an answer, press the alarm button.
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Step 5. Press the door open button
Sometimes, this button may have simply become stuck, and if you press it several times, it can open the elevator directly. It may make you laugh, but you'd be surprised at how many people ask for help when they find themselves stuck in the elevator only to find that they just press the door button again.
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You can also try the door lock button, which may also be stuck.
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You can also try pressing the key on a floor below the one where you got stuck.
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Step 6. If you can't get help, try getting the attention of people outside the elevator
If trying the call button or the phone did not get any response, then you can try yelling for help. You can knock on the elevator doors with a shoe or other object and scream. Depending on the sound transmissibility of the doors, firmly banging a key on the door can create a very loud sound through the elevator shaft. Yelling can alert people outside the elevator, but yelling too much can cause you to panic, so make sure you stay reasonably calm when yelling for help.
Step 7. Wait
If you are not in a life or death situation, wait. Typically, someone will soon notice that the elevator is not working and you will be out in a few moments. People use the elevator often, and those in the building, especially those who work there, should quickly notice that something is wrong. While shouting helps, if it doesn't affect you, it's better to stop and wait rather than use all your energy.
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If you have managed to contact the emergency services, remember that they will arrive as soon as possible; calls of this type are taken very seriously and you will be freed within half an hour or less.
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While it can be difficult to break the ice or chat while stuck in an elevator with strangers, keep talking. Get people talking about themselves, what they are doing, where they were going, how many children they have, or anything else that keeps the conversation going. Silence is easier to lead to panic or despair. Always speak up if necessary, making sure you keep on light topics.
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If you are alone, waiting can be more difficult, but try to keep yourself busy. If you have a magazine or book on hand, consider yourself fortuitous. Don't waste the energy of your phone playing games or surfing the internet. Instead, try to think of things that will calm you down, like making a list of the things you did that day, or trying to remember what you ate for dinner last week. Be optimistic and think about all the things that await you in the next few days.
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Step 8. If nothing works and you find yourself in a dangerous situation, run away
If nothing works and you find yourself in a life or death situation, do whatever you can to get out of the elevator. Be careful moving into the elevator shaft. You risk being electrocuted or crushed if the lift starts moving again. Here are some things to keep in mind if you're trying to get out:
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Pull or press the "stop" button to make sure the elevator doesn't move as you try to get out.
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Try to open the doors. If you are in line with a plan, you may be able to open the doors and walk out. Look around to see if there are any objects that can help you open the doors.
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Look for the service hatch in the elevator ceiling. Try to force it and get out of it. Even if you manage to get out of the hatch, there may still be no way out of the elevator shaft. But if you are in a real emergency, this may be your only chance.
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Advice
- Always carry your mobile phone with you.
- You don't have to panic or scare others. Sit down, and ask others to talk about interesting things.
- You should always carry a snack in your pocket or purse, it is a tip that always applies.
- Use a lipstick, eyeliner, or regular pencil or pen to play tic-tac-toe on the hand. Relax and try taking a nap.
Warnings
- It is generally safer to stay inside the elevator as you risk getting electrocuted or crushed if you venture down the elevator shaft. Unless you are in a major emergency, stay where you are.
- Do not smoke or light fires, as this could set off an alarm; at worst, you could disable the elevator altogether and get stuck even longer.
