What to Do When Stuck in a Lift?

Every day, elevators carry roughly a billion passengers worldwide. Sooner or later, one of those rides will stop mid-trip — and knowing what to do next can mean the difference between a calm wait and a dangerous panic.

Most people get stuck in a lift due to a power outage or a mechanical breakdown. These are the two most common causes, and each has a different remedy.

Power outages are manageable. Backup generators or auto rescue devices — small battery units inside the elevator — move the cabin to the nearest floor automatically. Breakdowns, while preventable with regular maintenance, still occur. Here is exactly what passengers and building staff should do when they happen.

Steps When You Are Stuck in an Elevator

Stay composed and work through these steps in order. Each one improves your chances of a quick, safe rescue.

• Confirm the elevator has stopped. You will feel no motion, or the cabin will halt abruptly mid-travel.
• Stay calm. An elevator cabin is one of the safest enclosed spaces — it will not fall, and it will not run out of air even if the fan stops.
• Press the alarm button. Alarm systems run on a separate battery and will sound even during a total power failure.
• Use the intercom if one is installed. It connects directly to building security or the maintenance team.
• Try the door-open button. In some cases the doors will release if the cabin is aligned with a floor.
• Wave at the CCTV camera. The monitoring team can spot you and dispatch help immediately.
• Call for help on your mobile phone. Note that cellular signal may be weak or absent inside the shaft.

Once you have made contact with someone outside, the next priority shifts to a safe evacuation.

Evacuation Procedure

Building staff or rescue personnel must follow a strict sequence to evacuate passengers safely. Skipping steps risks electrocution or further entrapment.

• Switch off the main power supply to the elevator at the machine room or wherever the main power switch is located.
• Switch off all backup power — generators and auto rescue devices — so the equipment receives zero power during evacuation.
• Use the emergency door key to open the landing door. Check whether the cabin is near a floor level.
• If the cabin is aligned with a floor, guide passengers out and close the door once everyone has safely exited.
• If the cabin is between floors and passengers cannot safely step out, wedge the door open with an obstruction. This provides air ventilation and visual reassurance, reducing the feeling of being trapped.
• When passengers still cannot be evacuated, wait for the lift technician to bring the cabin safely to the nearest floor.
• As a last resort, call the fire department. Be aware that fire crews typically use brute force to access the shaft, which can damage doors and other elevator components.

With the right preparation, most of these situations resolve within minutes. The final step is making sure your building is ready before an incident ever occurs.

Important Recommendations

Ask your elevator maintenance company to display emergency contact numbers inside every cabin. Have them educate owners and regular users about the lift. Schedule evacuation drills and live demonstrations so everyone knows the procedure before an emergency strikes.

Post clear instructions inside the elevator that list the dos and don'ts for passengers stuck in a lift. Visible signage keeps panic low and response times fast.

This procedure applies only to normal breakdowns — not to emergencies like fires or earthquakes. In those situations, evacuate the building immediately and call the fire department. Every second counts.

Elevator entrapments are stressful but rarely dangerous when handled correctly. Prepare your building, train your staff, and partner with a reliable maintenance provider. A calm, informed response turns a frightening experience into a minor inconvenience.