stuck alone in elevator

How scared do you think you would be if stuck in an elevator alone.

@stary1 (6612)

United States

April 27, 2011 6:33pm CST

Do you ever worry about being suck in an elevator, especially when you are alone and the elevator is creaking or stalling? I used to worry about being stuck alone in an elevator. I would always be relieved when I reached my floor. Sometimes I even took stairs to avoid elevators. One summer while visiting my aunt, I was taking the elevator up to her condo on the second floor when the elevator stopped. The lights dimmed and there was silence. I panicked. My hands started shaking and my heart started racing. I felt I was in a tomb. The building was basically an older person residence so I figured the owners were hard of hearing and they wouldn't hear me if I yelled. There was no phone there and I didn't have a cell phone. After awhile, I calmed down. I guess I used up all the adrenaline and so I just sat down on the floor and waited. I was no longer afraid, now I was bored. It was about 45 minutes when the electricity came back on. I walked out with a huge smile on my face and never again have I been the slightest bit afraid of elevators. For me this was a lesson that what we fear may not be as bad as we think.

3 people like this

23 responses

•

28 Apr 11

Its really scary if your stuck in an elevator especially when the building is old.

1 person likes this

@stary1 (6612)

• United States

10 May 11

That is what happened to me. Not only was the building old, it was a residence of older people. I decided yelling probably would not help because many would probably be hard of hearing. In retrospect, that thinking was not smart. I should have tried anyway just in case someone did hear me.

@sender621 (14894)

• United States

28 Apr 11

I don't think that it ould bother me that much. i ould ant to have omeome help me a oon a i could, but i don't think think i ould have to panic about it. i have been tuck in an elevator before, o the concept ould be familair to me.

1 person likes this

@stary1 (6612)

• United States

10 May 11

I think having been stuck once often helps overcome any huge future fears.

@Hatley (163776)

• Garden Grove, California

28 Apr 11

hi stary1 I am always worried about our elevators as they are old and cranky and do go out of order ever so ofte. however if I am stuck there's not a hell of a lot I can do save yell for help and use the phone thats in our two elevators. common sense must rule in an emergency.panic could even lead to a heart attack so keeping cool is the first order of business. since our building is only two floor theres not muchheight to contend with.

@stary1 (6612)

• United States

10 May 11

This happened a few years ago to me and it was in Canada. The thing is there were no phones in the elevator but now I think all elevators have them and if not I usually have a cell phone with me now.

@cream97 (29087)

• United States

10 May 11

Hi. stary1. I have never been stuck in an elevator before, but I can tell you that this experience would be quite terrifying!!

I would panic especially, If I am all by myself. I am glad that you are no longer terrified after being stuck in the elevator. I would have had elevator terrors, if this had to have happened to me.

I have seen many movies where a person was stuck into the elevator. It is usually some supernatural force or an person allowing them to be stuck into the elevator. I know that you are relieved that you are safe and that you are no longer terrified of being in an elevator all by yourself. Take care and stay safe!

@stary1 (6612)

• United States

21 May 11

I felt the same as you did before it happened. I even avoided elevators. I just wanted to suggest some of the things we really fear aren't so bad if they happen :)

@SIMPLYD (90722)

• Philippines

28 Apr 11

OMG that was really a scary experience! I guess, your initial reaction was a natural one. Anyone in that situation will really experience that. Had i been in your place, i guess i could have cried already. But then, for sure i will be praying a lot and would be knocking so hard every now and then, so that anybody passing by would know that there is somebody inside the elevator. When i know that i will be alone in an elevator, i would wait for others to come. or if it's just some floors to take, i will take the stairs instead.

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@SIMPLYD (90722)

• Philippines

28 Apr 11

Thanks for the BR! yes, taking the stairs is a good exercise. But do not push yourself to the limit though.

@stary1 (6612)

• United States

28 Apr 11

Ty it was scary, but a wonderful lesson too. Isn't it interesting how sometimes we have to go through bad experinces to 'grow' emotionally :( Well taking stairs IS good exercise :)

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@charlie580111 (42)

• China

1 May 11

yes,i have the same experience with you, althought ther is only 10 minutes when i stuck in the elevator alone, but at that time, i really fell very very terrible, an many many thought come into my head, but lastly, i try to cald down myself, and began to call people for help,afte some minutes,the service man open the door , i get help!

@stary1 (6612)

• United States

10 May 11

I am glad it didn't last long. I wonder, are you now afraid it might happen again or are you relaxed about it and know you can handle it if it ever happens again?

@autumndreamer (3185)

• Philippines

28 Apr 11

Wow, that's so brave of you. I feel inspired by your story. I'm afraid to be stuck in elevators but when that time comes, I'll remember your story. It's inspirational. I think I will just have to keep screaming and screaming the whole time when that happens to me.

@stary1 (6612)

• United States

28 Apr 11

TY you for your comment, but I wasn't really brave as I didn't have a choice :( and I would not have stepped in the elevator had I know it would get stuck.I shook until the adrenaline was all used up lol :) I thought of screaming, but then thought how they are all older and probably wouldn't hear me. You are correct though..I probably should have tried to contact someone by screaming. If it happens again I will remember you and remember to scream :)

@ebuscat (5935)

• Philippines

28 Apr 11

For me yes that's why I don't want to be alone in elevator.

@stary1 (6612)

• United States

10 May 11

Not sure if you mean you have been stuck, or are afraid to be? I am saying it wasn't so bad as I anticipated it could be.

frontvisions101

@frontvisions101 (16043)

• Philippines

28 Apr 11

I don't think I'll panic that much being stuck in an elevator. I was never afraid of riding those. Although, being stuck for hours is a different thing. I don't think I can last being inside an elevator for an hour. I'll either freak out or I'll sleep.

@stary1 (6612)

• United States

28 Apr 11

TY and you would probably be just fine. I did freak, so then I used up my energy and if it had been hours I probably could have slept :)

@keshia2007r (2880)

• United States

28 Apr 11

Great experience to tell, me on the other hand. I really don't know how I would react. When I get impatient its not a good look, and nothing could come good out of it. God forbids, but if I was ever stuck in an elevator alone especially I would panic,but now thinking about it. After the panic attack is over, I would only get more impatient and very worried.

@stary1 (6612)

• United States

28 Apr 11

TY and maybe, but maybe not. Perhaps you would learn your impatience doesn't change anything and just makes you feel bad. When I start to become impatient like standing in line, I try to remember to tell myself "I guess this is my time to practice patience". It helps.

@kripa_db (578)

• India

28 Apr 11

Hi, I got stuck in the elevator once when the power went off once. Fortunately the watchman came and he had to open the door manually since it stuck in between two floors. I had to come out using a ladder. I was not scared during the whole process. Once i came out i saw a big hole below the lift since it was stuck in between. That was when i really got scared. For nearly a week or two after the incident i took the stairs :).

@stary1 (6612)

• United States

28 Apr 11

Hi and TY for your info. Wow I can imagine that would be a frightening scene.

@ronica1234 (30)

• United States

28 Apr 11

I am very afraid of being stuck in an elevator and I can say you handled that very well. I believe that I would've panic and had a fit until someone would have opened the door and then when they would've opened the door I would've been traumatized for life. I would have never gotten back on the elevator since that day.

@stary1 (6612)

• United States

10 May 11

See that is how I felt before it happened. But I was surprised and happy to learn it forced me to overcame my fear and I learned the lesson that things that frighten us may not be so bad after all.

@ohsodianne (433)

• Philippines

28 Apr 11

WOw! That's nice! You were able to overcome your fear! High five! Hmm. Well for me, I guess I wouldn't be afraid of being stuck in an elevator alone, unless it's totally dark. Hahaha. Then again, I might start imagining creepy stuff so I am not really sure if I will be scared or not. Maybe I'll just text someone or listen to music so that I will not panic.

@stary1 (6612)

• United States

28 Apr 11

TY..Yikes total darkness would really freak :0 I didn't have my cell phone with me..wish I had.

@chocokreme (319)

• Philippines

28 Apr 11

Ill be so much afraid. Its really terrifying to be stucked in there. Because i dont have any idea how long are you going to stay there? Does anyone know that im stucked in there? Whew! Ill be so scared. I dont even want to think about it.

@stary1 (6612)

• United States

10 May 11

That is how I used to feel too until it happened to me. I walked out when the electricity came back on and I had the thought that the things we may be so afraid of, might not be so scary after all :)

@barehugs (8973)

• Canada

28 Apr 11

I don't worry about avoiding the elevator, I worry about avoiding the stairs. Those who ride the elevator will soon be riding the wheelchair, because everyone who can walk need exercise to maintain the muscles in their legs. Imagine not being able to walk, and needing someone to push you where ever you wanted to go. If you have legs to walk, use them - forget the elevator!

@stary1 (6612)

• United States

28 Apr 11

TY..You have a good point, and climbing stairs is good exercise, yet sometimes the buildings are very tall (20 stories). I exercise regularly and I do take the stairs sometimes just for exerise, but it's not always practical.

@HansonFan (1653)

• United States

28 Apr 11

Good for you! Getting over a fear is always a great feeling!! I can't say I have ever been afraid of elevators..but after riding the Tower of Terror at Disney World I am glad...if I had been afraid of elevators I never would have gone on it and its a very exciting ride! My fear used to be of roller coasters. Now, as you can tell...rides don't bother me. I will ride just about anything that is sane...Ive seen some that would take some courage but Disney was a blast and I look forward to returning and going on as many rides as possible! The only fear I need to get over would be ladders. I don't have a fear of heights...just ladders. They just don't seem sturdy enough and Im a bit on the large side so they are extra wobbly to me.

@p3ks626 (6538)

• Philippines

28 Apr 11

I think that would be something that I dont want to happen to me. Sometimes I think its okay to be stuck in the elevator if you are with someone but alone is just scary. I could just think about so many things if that will happen to me.

@stary1 (6612)

• United States

28 Apr 11

TY and I used to feel that way. I guess what I want to say is if it does happen, it might not be as bad as you think. That was my experience :)

@watergirl (567)

• Philippines

28 Apr 11

I guess I would be really scared. But if my office is at the highest floor, I would take my chances on the elevator than run up the stairs!

@stary1 (6612)

• United States

28 Apr 11

TY. I agree but since I live in California and even if I am no longer afraid of elevators, I still would not want to work on the top floors of a tall building.

• Canada

28 Apr 11

Oh my.. if I was stuck in an elevator alone I'd be very, very scared... and paranoid I suppose. And when I get out I probably wouldn't ride in an elevator for a long time, or at least get in one where there are others inside with me. I don't ride elevators very often so this has never happened to me, and I hope it never will. (:

@stary1 (6612)

• United States

28 Apr 11

TY. I used to feel that and I WAS very very scared when it happened. I would have thought it would cause me to not ride elevators ever again, but the opposite happened.

• Philippines

28 Apr 11

honestly, for sure I will faint..i am really scared being alone, especially in that closed four corner elevator.. and what is more terrifying is that when you are stuck on the top floor of a 50 floor building!

@stary1 (6612)

• United States

28 Apr 11

TY..I thought I would faint too..but after awhile I guess one uses up all their adrenaline so they aren't afraid anymore. There are some therapists that give full exposure to what their patients you are afraid of to get over the fear, but I wouldn't ever purposely do that. I agree about the 50 floor building. I live in California and the top floors of tall buildings are NOT my favorite place to be.