Being stuck in an elevator is said to be one of the scariest and most unpleasant experiences someone can go through. Unfortunately, it happens more often than we realize; you have about a 1 in 5000 chance of this happening if you use an elevator regularly. Apart from the terror of being confined to a small metal box that reaches high temperatures, you are usually a few stories up in the air, and should the elevator drop, the chances of survival are slim. Here are 5 important tips to remember if you ever find yourself in this situation.
Keep Calm
Firstly, don’t panic. Keeping a level head about the situation could be the deciding factor between making a good decision and a bad decision because you are overreacting. If your cell phone has a signal and battery, call 911 or the nearest emergency services. If you are claustrophobic, sit down in one corner of the elevator and try
breathing exercises. Breath in deeply for 3 seconds, and then exhale for 3. This will naturally force your body to calm down and slow your heart rate so you can think more clearly.
Locate a Source of Light
If you have a torch or your phone’s battery is charged enough to operate its flashlight, locate the emergency phone inside the elevator to call for help. These phones are not usually run on the same power source as the elevator, so a power outage shouldn’t affect them. If there is no source of light, try to feel for the emergency phone to make a
call. Thankfully, elevators that are maintained by companies like
ATIS will be remotely monitored 24/7.
Don’t Move Around Too Much
Any shift in weight distribution could affect your safety. This includes trying to force the doors open yourself or escaping through the emergency hatch. If you have not been able to make contact with security or emergency help services, then your only option may be to try one of these, but you need to consider the risks. Remember that elevators are equipped with safety brakes, so the chances of
free-falling are minimal.
Sometimes the elevator may have temporarily malfunctioned and it needs to be reset. This can be done by pushing the open and close
buttons. You can also try pushing the button for another floor, but if none of these work, be sure not to hit the buttons repeatedly, as this can interfere with the electronics.
If All Else Fails, Yell
If the power is out or there is no response from the emergency services, you can try to call for help to anyone that is on the floor or in the building close enough to hear you. Try to locate a vent where your voice can be echoed.
It is important to trust the professionals if you can get help, but if you are going to be stuck in the elevator for a long time, try to remain calm, regulate your temperature by taking off clothing layers and focus on something else if your life is not in danger.
