Getting Stuck in a Lift – Debunked Myths and Helpful Tips!
We’ve all seen it happen in movies or heard stories from friends—getting stuck in a lift. While it’s a rare occurrence, it’s essential to know what steps to take and how to stay calm if you ever find yourself in this situation. In this blog post, we’ll guide you through the process of what to do and what not to do if you ever get stuck in a lift, as well as debunking some scary myths to ease your mind!
Myths:
Myth: Jumping Up and Down Can Trigger the Lift to Move:
- Debunked: Lifts are designed with sophisticated safety systems. Jumping up and down won’t activate these systems or prompt the elevator to start moving again. In fact, such actions can actually cause a lift to breakdown in the first place or it could make the existing issues even worse!
Myth: Trying to Force Open the Doors is a Good Idea:
- Debunked: Attempting to force open the doors is not only ineffective but also dangerous. Lift doors are designed to remain closed when the lift is not at a landing. Modern lifts are designed to ensure that doors can’t be prized open between floors, however if you were to open them between floors, there may be a huge fall risk so it’s best to wait for professional assistance.
Myth: Lift Cables Can Snap, Leading to a Free Fall:
- Debunked: Modern lift are equipped with multiple safety features, including robust failsafe safety gears that stop the lifts the moment they move any faster than they are supposed to, you could be in a lift and have the ropes cut and stay safe inside the cabin.
Myth: The Oxygen Will Run Out:
- Debunked: Lifts are not airtight, and they have a ventilation system. In the unlikely event of being stuck, there is no need to worry about the air supply!
What to do:
– Check for Communication: Modern lifts are equipped with intercoms or emergency phones. Use these communication systems to report the issue promptly. This can be in the form of an alarm push button, or sometimes an actual telephone that you can pick up. These devices will call either the building management, the lift company who maintains the lift, or the emergency services. You’ll normally need to hold the alarm button down for over 5 seconds, just follow the instructions in the lift if you ever find yourself in this situation.
Whoever answers the call will be able to determine what building you are in and then will call upon the nearest lift engineer to attend and release you. The industry standard is to have an engineer on site within an hour for an emergency trap-in so you won’t be in there for long.
That’s all you need to do! Sit back and try to relax with these helpful tips:
- You are Safe! Remember, being stuck in a lift is a temporary situation. Lifts are designed with safety features to prevent accidents.
- Deep Breathing and Relaxation Techniques: Stay calm by practicing deep breathing exercises. This will bring down your heart rate and your body will begin to reduce your rate of breathing, making you feel calmer.
- Play some games on your phone: This is a great distraction to take your mind off of the situation, you may not have any internet signal, but beating a level on Candy Crush can help to reduce stress.
- Put some music on: Music is a proven relaxation technique, put your favourite song on and try to keep your breathing steady.
- Help is on the Way: Once you have pressed the alarm and spoken to an adviser, remember that they have to send their closest engineer to release you from the lift, this means help will be on the way soon! As a standard, lift companies are contracted to attend to trapped passengers within an hour or sooner based on the engineers current location.
