So, What are the odds of getting stuck on an elevator at the exact second that the power goes out? According to the FireChief.Com Website, "The odds of someone in the general public getting stuck in a stalled elevator are about once in a lifetime".
Well, I would like to thank the local electrical utility company for providing me with a "once in a lifetime" experience yesterday afternoon.
As I was returning to my place of employment from lunch, I hopped onto the elevator to take the l-o-n-g trip to the 3rd floor
(yes, I am lazy) and just before reaching the 3rd floor, the elevator came to a rolling halt (the power went out). Just Great.... Luckily, someone inquired to see if someone was on the elevator and I signaled that I was in the elevator. I thought... Cool, I'll be out of here in 5 minutes. This was not the case. I was asked to use the phone in the elevator (thanks to help of the light from my cell phone) which patched me directly into the local police dispatcher.
Once my place of employment was notified, many of my co-workers gathered in the hallway and some tried to talk to me through the elevator doors. During times like this, you really find out who your friends are...
About 5 to 10 minutes later, the Fire Chief and the Search and Rescue Squad arrived on the scene and started asking me lots of questions. I usually have no problem holding a conversation (if you know me, you'll understand...), but I just kept on getting annoyed and all I could think about was... Can all these people please shut-up and get me the heck out of here!!!! At one point, I heard someone ask if the building electricity had been turned off (just in case the power comes on) and in the same sentence he continued to ask if the ambulance had been called. I think this was the only moment when I was a little panicked.
As I stood in the dark elevator, I started thinking about how I should position my body in case the elevator drops. I suddenly realizes that I should have done some pre-research (where is Google when you need it!!!). I couldn't decide, so I braced my back against the side of the elevator and bent my knees and waited. This way, I would be able to quickly regain a lady-like stance once the elevator was opened. Like I should be worrying about this...
Finally, after 22 minutes, I was freed from the elevator!!! I was greeted by 3 Fire personnel who helped me step out of the elevator that had stopped 3 feet below the 3rd floor. Yippee!!! I can go back to work!!! I was ready to go back to my desk, but I was retained by the Fire Chief so we could wait for the Paramedics. It turns out that it was required for the Paramedic to take my blood pressure reading and for me to sign-off from being sent to the local hospital.
You can imagine the Welcoming (teasing...) that I received from my co-workers and management. How embarrassing!!!!
Lessons Learned:
- If you get stuck in an elevator, immediately pick up the emergency phone. This is the quickest way to get assistance.
- If no one is aware that you are trapped in the elevator, use the alarm button to signal that you are trapped.
- The light on a cell phone is a huge help during a power outage.
- Emergency Personnel (Many) will be sent to assist with the incident. This is normal.
- Of Course, Stay Calm!!!
I think I might refrain from using elevators for a while,
SQLDiva