Most of you City Spidey readers probably use the elevator on a daily basis. With most of us living in multi-storey apartments, life is impossible without them.
There are some societies where the lifts are really old and prone to malfunctioning. There are others, that face frequent power cuts and voltage fluctuations — both of which can cause lifts to stop midway.
It’s not that uncommon. Either you, or someone you know has had the harrowing experience of being stuck in a lift. Imagine your child stuck in there. Scary, isn’t it?
But it doesn’t necessarily have to be that bad an experience.
Let City Spidey show you how to survive being stuck in a lift:
1. Don’t panic
It’s quite natural to lose your cool once you are stuck. However, try not to panic. It would only make things worse. Take a few deep breaths and calm down. A cool head is the best friend you need in tough situations like these.
2. Get your feelers out
How many people are there in the lift with you? Is the light on? Does the elevator have an emergency contact number? Be aware of your surroundings. If the lights are out, use your phone for some light.
3. Push the right buttons
See if the lift has a ‘Call’ button or an ‘Alarm’ button. Try pressing them a couple of times. You can also try pressing the buttons for other floors and ‘Open door’ button. If nothing happens, wait patiently. Most people stuck in elevators are rescued within 30 minutes. Have faith. This too shall pass. Try chatting up the other person in the elevator, if any.
4. Dial F for family and friends
If it’s taking time for help to arrive, call up your friends and family. And stay calm.
5. Stay positive
Once you’ve done all that you can, just wait it out. Your panicking is not going to get you out any faster. More deep breaths. Relax.
Spread the word. And more importantly, make sure your children know this.
As a bonus, here’s an interview of a guy who rescues people stuck in elevators. Can serve as an FAQ.
