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DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A person has fallen into an open well, borehole, or narrow shaft and is trapped below ground.
The essentials if you need to act right now.
Call 112. Do not go in. Talk to them. Lower rope only.
What might I see? Observable signs — no diagnosis required.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Person is visible or audible at the bottom of a well or shaft.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Open uncovered well or borehole with someone missing.
Optional deeper explanation — not required to act.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Wells can contain low oxygen, methane, or carbon dioxide that kills rescuers who jump in. The person may also be injured from the fall.
Check the scene before you approach.
Civilian-safe actions you can take.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112. Say: "Person fell in well. Confined space rescue needed."
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Shout down: "Can you hear me? Are you hurt?"
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Keep talking to the person. Ask them to stay still if injured.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Lower a rope or strong pipe for them to hold — tie to a stable object on surface.
When and how to get professional help.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Never enter a well or borehole. Confined space rescue requires trained teams with breathing equipment.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112. Give exact village, field, or GPS location. Describe well depth if known.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Well falls always require professional rescue and hospital care — injuries and gas exposure are life-threatening.
Dangerous actions, when not to attempt rescue, and common myths.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT enter the well under any circumstances unless you are trained confined-space rescue.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT pull an injured person up by rope without professional guidance — spinal injury risk.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT throw rocks or debris down to test depth.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — You should jump in to save someone who fell in a well
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Wells often contain invisible toxic gases that knock out rescuers. Multiple deaths in well rescues are common.
Other scenarios in the same family.
Child drowning
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A child was found in water, is struggling in water, or was just pulled out and is not responding normally.
Bucket drowning
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A young child has fallen head-first into a bucket, tub, or container of water and may be submerged.
Bathtub emergency
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A child is submerged, unconscious, or having a seizure in the bathtub.
Pool emergency
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Someone is in trouble at a swimming pool — submerged, not moving, or injured at the pool edge.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Lower a bucket on a rope with air holes, or a fan blowing fresh air if available — only if advised by emergency operator.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT climb into the well — toxic gas or low oxygen can kill you instantly.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Entire families die trying to rescue one person from a well.