Trapped under rubble: how to survive in darkness and concrete
Air raid. Explosion. And in seconds, your home becomes a pile of concrete, metal, and dust. What was your kitchen or bedroom a minute ago is now a trap. In Ukraine, where Russian drones and missiles are a daily threat, this can happen anywhere, anytime. And in that moment, the most important thing is to stay calm. Because even under rubble, even in total darkness, survival is possible.
What puts you most at risk when trapped under debris
- Injuries. Concrete slabs, glass, and debris come crashing down. They can cause fractures, bleeding, and blunt force trauma.
- Lack of air. Dust, smoke, and carbon monoxide can be just as deadly as falling debris, especially if you’re breathing fast.
- Dehydration. Without water, serious complications begin in 24–48 hours. The body weakens, and mental clarity fades.
- Panic. Fear can paralyze you. You may start thrashing, shouting, gasping for air, wasting precious energy and oxygen.
- Secondary collapse. Ruins are unstable. One wrong move, and more debris may come crashing down.
How to stay alive until rescuers arrive
These are not magic tricks. But each tip is a small brick in the wall of your survival. You can’t control everything, but some things you can.
- Try to stay calm. Breathe slowly and steadily. Panic is the enemy. Calmness is your first ally.
- Assess your situation. Can you move? Is your chest free? If yes, don’t try to dig yourself out. Conserve energy.
- Let someone know you’re alive. A phone call, a text, banging on a pipe, calling out — anything that signals your presence. But don’t overdo it. You need to save your strength.
- Don’t light anything. If your home had gas, there might be a leak. Even a small spark could be fatal. If there’s no gas, fire will still use up precious oxygen.
- Protect your breathing. Cover your nose and mouth with fabric — even a sleeve. If you can, make it slightly damp. Breathe slowly through your nose.
- Stop the bleeding. If you’re injured, apply pressure and wrap the wound. Use whatever materials you have on hand.
- Stay warm. Use any clothing — hats, scarves, jackets. Try to wiggle your fingers and toes gently to keep circulation going. No sudden movements.
- Don’t wander. Unless you’re absolutely certain you can reach safety, stay put. Rescuers are looking for you. You matter. Stay alive.
These tips aren’t about being heroic. They’re about survival — about listening to the quiet voice inside that says: “Hold on. You’re not alone. They’re coming.” If even one piece of advice here helps someone trapped in the darkness, then Frontliner has fulfilled its mission.
***
Created with the support of the Association of Independent Regional Publishers of Ukraine and Amediastiftelsen as part of the Regional Media Support Hub project. The authors’ views do not necessarily coincide with the official position of the partners.
Read more — When the world feels unsafe: how to talk to children about war
