Q&A for How to Survive Being Stuck in a Lift

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What if you don't have a phone or light source and nothing is working. What do you do then?

Community Answer

First up, stay calm; nothing gets solved in a panic. Try to feel about in the lift, in the usual placement for the button panel. Even in the dark, you should be able to feel the buttons as they have a glass feel to them, the emergency button is usually plastic and sticks out and often has braille markings on it. (There's a picture of the average one in the Made Recently section above.) Keep pressing it and help should arrive at some point. If you have a fear of the dark, take deep breaths and repeat calming mantras to yourself; rescue is on its way.

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Question

How long are people normally stuck in a lift for?

Community Answer

If the building is active, the longest you'll probably be stuck for is about half an hour to an hour. Keep pressing the emergency button till help comes. However, if the building is closed, then you may have a longer wait (an hour or two, up to 8-9 hours at most), depending on where the emergency call goes to. Stay calm with deep breaths and reassure yourself that help is coming; rescuers don't dawdle when they know people are stuck in a lift.

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Question

If I'm in an elevator that is 2 meters by 2 meters, how long will it take for the oxygen to be depleted?

Community Answer

The air in elevators is not sealed in. You can have any amount of oxygen you need.

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Question

What if you are a child?

Community Answer

If it's possible, contact your parents on the lift's phone, let them know what has happened. They will call someone to help. Press the emergency button for help; you may hear ringing or someone will answer and ask you what is wrong. Most of all, stay calm and keep reminding yourself that help is coming. If the wait is long, take a nap, imagine a story in your head or play an electronic game to pass the time.

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Question

What if there is no one in the building and I am a child?

Community Answer

You should try to dial on your cellphone for help, or press the help button in the elevator. At some point a janitor or someone else should come in the building, so do not give up hope.

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Question

How long can one survive in a closed elevator?

Community Answer

If you don't have anything to drink, 3 days at the most, since the body will shut down due to dehydration.

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Question

What if I need the toilet?

Community Answer

Try to hold it for as long as you can. If someone has an empty bottle, ask if you can borrow it to pee in.

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Question

Would I survive if there were a fire in an elevator?

Community Answer

Most likely, no. If the flames didn't kill you, smoke inhalation would due to inadequate ventilation. The best thing to do would be to get as low to the ground as possible (smoke rises) and avoid the fire.

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Question

Would I survive if the lift fell from a high floor?

Community Answer

Most likely. To improve your chances of survival, you can lay down on the elevator floor with your limbs spread out.

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Question

How do I handle claustrophobia when I am stuck on an elevator?

Community Answer

Just close your eyes and imagine you are on a beach or at another soothing place. Try to think of things to be thankful for, such as your favorite dog.

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Question

What will happen if they break the lift trying to rescue me?

Tom De Backer

Top Answerer

Every lift has at least three fail safe systems. It has suspension cables as well as cables that raise and lover the lift. It often has clamps that jump out if it should fall too fast, much like the safety on your seat belt. No shaft is ever smooth, so you would hit a snag immediately and be stopped that way. Finally, it has a counterweight. So if everything else fails and you're in free fall, you would go up, not down. Besides, the lift-rescue-people are really good at lift-rescue-stuff. They know their lifts.

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Question

What do I do if I don't have a phone and the alarm button is not working and I'm stuck between floors?

Community Answer

Yell for help, or just wait. Someone will figure out you're stuck in there and get you out, it's just a matter of time.

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Question

So calling 911 is ultimately not the best solution?

Community Answer

You may not have signal to call 911, or any other emergency service numbers, but you can try.

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Question

What if I get hungry while I am stuck in a lift?

Community Answer

If you get hungry, try distracting yourself with something else.

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Question

What should be done if the victim has claustrophobia and heart disease?

Community Answer

Help the victim stay calm until help comes. If they need any kind of medication, let emergency services know as soon as possible. Other than that, just encourage them to breathe deeply and talk about something fun.

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Question

What do I do if I'm stuck in a lift and there's no signal on my phone?

Community Answer

Try to remain calm and use the alarm or the emergency button. If that does not work, then try doing Step 7.

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Question

What should I do if the alarm doesn't work because there's no power or if I can't get a signal on my phone?

Community Answer

Bang as loudly as you can with a shoe or any object. Keep banging until you get help. Don't panic, though -- the fact that the elevator isn't working has likely alerted someone, and help will arrive soon.

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Question

What should I do if the lift is jerking? How do I not get injured?

Community Answer

Place one foot in front of the other and lunge down. Do not lock your knees. Lunge towards the floor a bit, and most importantly, stay calm.

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Question

What if I am only nine and have no parents with me?

R2_d2000

Top Answerer

Use the emergency phone in the elevator to call for help. You can also use the alarm.

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Question

Can we pull open the doors?

R2_d2000

Top Answerer

The doors are locked shut, so you probably can't. Also, it's dangerous to climb into an elevator shaft. It's best to stay in the elevator, use the emergency phone, and wait for help to arrive.

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Question

How can I survive if I do not have a phone?

R2_d2000

Top Answerer

You can use the emergency phone or the alarm bell in the elevator to call for help.

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Question

What if you need to use the restroom when stuck?

Community Answer

Unfortunately, there's not much you can do other than wait. Don't think about your bladder while you wait. Distract yourself with other thoughts.

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