How to survive in a free falling elevator - Lonely Planet

The gravity of the situation is clear – and yes, it’s going to hurt. But what are a few broken bones when the alternative is plummeting to your doom?
---

[paccmman]

If the elevator is crowded stand on someone else to allow your body time to decelerate once the elevator lands.

[GabrielTravelerVideos]

Sweet. I feel all the more ready to face the world.

[maxputhoff]

If you are in a free falling elevator, just relax, it's only a dream.

[QuintusKing]

I've read that you should also press every floor button, because sometimes it's the system itself that's acting up, not the cable being broken. If you're lucky, you could get it stopped at any floor. Increase your chance of survival!

[bigslim]

Why is there not a How to survive playlist?

[ginthujanuthayakumar]

Lol before I watched this video I was gonna say to jump before the elevator lands :P

[iiiiiALEX]

this happens everyday, I was tired of not knowing what to do when the elevator suddenly starts to free fall. Thank you mate!!

[LL-dxxj]

Why would I want to survive the sweet embrace of death?

[buckeyelevators]

It is almost impossible for an elevator to go into a free fall, as you are more likely to get struck my lighting or get your hand stuck in a vending machine

[deadfrg]

Cable just snapped, currently plummeting down elevator shaft. Since I don't have a lot of time right now, I was so relieved to find that this informative video is short and to-the-point.

Thanks for the help, Lonely Planet!

[maha]

this is silly. if the elevator is free falling, just stop it on the 10th floor and get off before it hits the bottom

[christinecrowley]

Modern Elevators CANT free fall. They have spring loaded side pins which are pulled back by the force of the overhead cable lifting the car. If the cable snaps, it's not longer pulling back the side pins, and the springs push the pins out into holes in the shaft, suspending the car. (but yeah, now ur friggin stuck!)

[traveltectours]

*Hi..i:m from Sri Lanka 🇱🇰 and my country was selected the best destination to travel in the world 🌎 Love it Lonely Planet 🔥🤟😍*

[williamhuang]

Let's ask Beno to watch this vid... He is 100% going to say that the lift will freefall UPWARDS.

[balqeesdhaher]

thanks for this explanation شكرا على هذ التوضيح

[nunofbernardo]

For you guys saying it's impossible, it just happened some days ago in Madrid, search it out if you want. There is no explanation, 2 teenagers unfortunately died while trying to go from 4th floor to 6th floor...so it can happen. Condolences for the family and friends.

[bradhp]

If it's free falling then just take the stairs once u get off

[amenkaya]

an elevator will never free fall,  let's say all the cables did snap. Then the elevator's safeties would kick in. Safeties are braking systems on the elevator car that grab onto the rails running up and down the elevator shaft. Some safeties clamp the rails, while others drive a wedge into notches in the rails. Typically, safeties are activated by a mechanical speed governor.

[ilugihzgoy]

Modern elevators are equipped with 3 to 5 way safety insurances. Made it almost impossible to fall. Standard policy which all elevator manufacturers must follow. Brakes, locker gears, and сables so on. Most dangerous malfunction is when its door opens itself while cabin not arrived. Most people don't realise that and step into that hole. Some people don't even look at their way or some of them just walk backwards. Isn't that dangerous.

[PepeDaily]

It's a funny video, but if it actually happens you will definitely remember this video and it will be a life saver