Q&A for How to Escape a Stranded Elevator

Yes. Just like in your car or house, there is air to breathe in a stranded elevator.

It would likely use its safety brakes and stop within a matter of feet.

Call the emergency services immediately and go to a doctor once you get out.

Close your eyes and imagine that you're not in a small space. It might help more than you expect. Or, keep yourself distracted by singing or something else. When you're distracted, you might forget what is happening. See a therapist for proper treatment.

That is very unlikely to happen because lots of people prefer elevators over the stairs. If somehow you are the last one out and get stuck, use the phone or emergency call button located in the elevator. If that is broken, you will have to wait it out until the next day if there is no reception for your own phone, so remain calm and wait for rescue.

If the emergency phone button is not operational, then use your mobile/cell phone to call for help. If you are in immediate danger, call the emergency fire and rescue services.

Wait it out. Most people will notice the elevator isn't working and will phone emergency services or a mechanic.

This is unlikely. If someone is on the verge of passing out, open the top hatch as this will allow more oxygen in until help arrives. Keep pressing the alert button.

Tell them stories to distract them. Remind them that there is more of a chance of dying on the stairs, in the car, or on a sidewalk than in the elevator. Get them to take some long, deep breaths and ask them questions about themselves to get their minds on other topics. Or, get a sing along going with funny one hit wonders, or songs everyone would know.

Calm down and wait for help. Many people will notice the elevator isn't working, and they will call someone to fix it and get you out. Also, an elevator is not airtight. You will not suffocate while waiting for help to arrive.

It shouldn't. The safety power breaker should power it off before it starts smoking.

Don't panic. Call for emergency services and press the call button. If you can't use phone or you are too far away from the call button, ask somebody to do it.

If you don't feel the elevator's vibration (as it moves) within 30 seconds, then attempt to open the doors. If the doors don't open at all call for entrapment. If the door partially opens, then proceed to open and exit.

This is likely to be rare but if you are trapped by a fire, then try to stay calm and press the alarm button more frequently. Shout to alert people. If it becomes unbearable and you feel you have to get out, try to pry open the doors as widely as possible, using an umbrella, phone, pen, whatever you have available, plus your sheer strength. Do not jump. Look out of the doors, then lean over to make sure nothing is in the way, then lower yourself to reduce the drop to the floor.

Most, but unlike movies where passengers can open it from inside the car, only emergency personnel can open the hatch from above the car.

Call for help as soon as possible. You can help them and tell them what's going on, and offer comfort so they don't panic. For a deaf person, you can try to write down what's happening or draw so they can understand.

At least three separate systems prevent elevators from entering a free fall. It has emergency brakes that dig into to shaft's walls, it is suspended by a counterweight and it has its normal cables. Even if all three of these should fail (suspect a murder attempt in that case), then it is still extremely unlikely that it would fall straight down, instead of snaring some obstacle. Shafts are not smooth. If the normal cables snap, you're more likely to go up than down, because of the counterweight.

If it is truly broken it will take the police or firemen to open the doors to get you out.

Pry open the doors with a phone, pen or umbrella, then run and hide under a staircase or under any bench.

You could, but your potential for injury would be reduced if you laid flat on the floor of the elevator. (This is very unlikely though given how many safety measures there are for elevators.)

You could use the flashlight on your phone. Most phones have this feature.

It wouldn't be very dangerous assuming the parent knew the baby was in the elevator and got them help immediately.

Modern elevators are required to have an emergency phone. Use that if there is no response to the alarm.

Wait it out. Normal response times for a breakdown are a few hours. If the elevator company is aware that you are trapped, most try to have a technician onsite in less than an hour.

Close your eyes and imagine you're somewhere else. Meditate by focusing on your body and your breathing. Wait for help to arrive. If you're in a crisis situation, attempt to pry open the doors.

Elevators are ventilated. Even if you’re in an elevator that breaks down, you won’t run out of air.

Fire service is a mode that allow fire fighters to take control of a lift in the event of an emergency. Fire fighters can aid with getting persons who cannot use the stairs. You may be looking for the alarm or emergency call buttons instead.

The safety brakes should stop it after a few feet. If not, then the best option is to lay flat on your back, and whatever you do, don't jump.

You can use your iPad's backlight or flashlight. It is not ideal, though, as iPads are much bigger and harder to hold than iPhones.

Possibly, if the elevator has malfunctioned and there is no help within the hour.