What would you do? http://www.newyorker.com/online/video/2008/04/21/080421_elevators

First I'd have checked for cell service. Then if that didn't work I'd have found out which was tougher, cinderblock wall or Vic. SwissTool.

You'd think that with security cameras in place that there should be some security watching them. How come no one raised the alarm sooner.

Most European lift wells are concrete, not breezeblock (cinderblock) otherwise after 40+ hours there would be a good size hole in the wall.

ALL and I repeat ALL of the elevators where I live and travel have emergency phones, but no video. If that were me I would have.

1. Use the emergency phone if there was one.
2. Checked for cell service, tried 911 if that service was available.
3. Opened the inner doors and looked to see if I was within shouting distance to the next floor, I know when I stand waiting for an elevator I can hear people talking on the elevator as it comes to my floor.
4. Tried the roof hatch,if there was one.
5. If all that failed, then I would sit down and wait.
6. Use shoe to bang on walls, to try to draw attention.


Stokie & UTA mentioned trying to chip through the block wall, that would be an option.

Just a question, we all know from Holliwood that every lift/ elevator ever used in the movie's has a roof hatch that is conveniently accessible to all those "trapped" inside. No special keys or tools, just bang and it opens.

Of all the lifts I've ever taken the only one that had such a hatch was in a mine shaft and it was a wire cage affair that rattled your teeth every inch of the way down to about 600 ft.

So apart from the movies do these hatchs exist and how accessible are they?

This is why as a diagnosed claustrophobe I have four flashlights and enough batteries to keep it all running for 12+ hours on me. *shudders* Without lights, an elevator isn't much bigger than a coffin. Or a peanut butter jar.

I'd have used the emergency phone. And after about six hours, I'd be playing with their camera to get someone's attention- say a red micro strobe taped to the lens.

Like Ironraven I found out I was slightly claustrophobic when a very crowded elevator made an emergency stop because it was overloaded. Fortunately it only stopped for a couple of minutes, but I haven't forgotten the experience! I never get on elevators that has more than a few passengers and I always have a Photon Micro-Light II just in case.

"...You'd think that with security cameras in place that there should be some security watching them. How come no one raised the alarm sooner..."

That's my thought. I wouldn't watch the video (damned slomo aircard), so I don't know the details of this, but you would think that they would know if one of their "cars" didn't move for almost two full days...

Waiting for someone to rescue you only works for a few hours, at that point you have to come to the conclusion that you are responsible for getting yourself out of the situation as long as you don’t make the situation worst by getting hurt. I would use the above mentioned ideas to get out. Going through the top of the elevator to see if you can open a door on the next floor up seems best (that and making a lot of noise to get attention.) But if it was a weekend, you could expect to be on your own till Monday morning.


While no fun, this situation would not be life-threatening. 2-days in a temperature controlled room (even without water) will not kill you. This would be a good thing to keep in mind before you try to climb up the wall of the elevator shaft and risk a fall that may in fact kill you. no point is making your situation worst by risking injury (or death) from a fall that would leave you without help for up to 2-days.

That was my first thought until I read through the accompanying article but it won't work. The hatch is bolted shut such that it can only be opened by rescue personnel from above. I've been in one case where it wasn't but this was on an elevator down into a mine shaft & we were there to inspect the structure around it so it might have been unbolted ahead of time.