Buildings with lifts can be scarcely especially for the people afraid of height. The worst happens when a lift breaks down due to power fail or other unavoidable problems. For the movie fanatics, it can be more scarily from the experiences in movies. Once you find yourself in such a situation, this what you should do;
Do not panic.
You may have heard this a lot of times and it is true that panicking will do you no good. It will cause you to not be able to think clearly and will not make your situation better. Remain calm and remember that this is reality and not a film, and a modern lift is not likely to come crashing down, even if the cables snap
Find a light source if its so dark.
Modern phones can usually be used to for this purpose.
Don’t try looking for ways to escape.
Luckily modern lifts don’t have hatches in the ceiling. Escaping this way would be extremely dangerous.
Think positively.
Remember that you are still alive, and don’t believe it when your mind tells you that the walls are closing in. They are not closing in, they will not close in, and you can still breathe. Just keep it in mind that elevators usually have cameras, so don’t do anything which looks stupid and you will regret.
Press each of the floor buttons one by one.
Then, try the “doors open” button. If none of the buttons works, the lift is broken, and you need to let someone know about it.
Peep through the gap of the lift’s doors.
- If you can see light between the doors, the lift has stopped near a floor, and you should be able to shout for help and be released, as the doors can be opened with a key. Do not try to force the doors open yourself. If the lift starts working again when you are partway out, you could be in for a nasty surprise.
- If you can’t see light between the doors, the lift has stopped between floors, and no one will be able to let you out if you scream for help. Look for an emergency telephone. If there is no telephone, there should be an alarm button. Press this repeatedly. Eventually, someone should hear you and get help.
- If it seems like no one can hear you, don’t give up hope! Keep pressing the button, and know that you will be rescued.
Check the time.
If you have waited for more than half an hour and nobody has come to get you out shout and bang the inside walls of the lift; take off your shoe and bang with that. If there are still people in the building, you must get their help before they leave for the night.
- If everyone has left the building, and no one is responding to you, then you’ll have to accept that you will be in the lift overnight. If this happens, stop shouting and banging – you don’t want to develop sleep deprivation. You are probably tired by now. Make yourself as comfortable as possible, and get some sleep to save your energy. By morning, the building should be full again, and you can try to get some help then.
Call for help using the emergency or alarm button.
It is law in most countries for elevators to have an emergency phone. If none of these options are available, try the next step.
Check whether your phone has any reception or internet before the building closes down.
- If you do have reception, call emergency services. Explain your situation and ask for help. Tell them the address of the building you are in and between which floors you are stuck.
- If you have WiFi connection contact a family member or friend. You can go on Facebook and ask a friend that you know will believe you. Tell them that you are in an elevator that has stopped working and ask them to contact emergency services and explain your situation to the police or fire department. Don’t forget to tell them what the address is of the building and possibly which elevator you are stuck in. Now, just wait patiently.