Got locked in a grain silo for 3 hours, my phone died at 11%

Was exploring an old mill outside Dubuque last month. Found a grain silo with a ladder going up, figured it'd have a good view from the top. Climbed up, took some photos, then tried to come back down. The hatch at the bottom had swung shut and the latch fell into place. Old rusted thing, no way to open it from inside. Yelled for 40 minutes, no one around. Phone at 11%, used it to text my buddy who was 45 minutes away. He drove out and pried it open with a crowbar from his truck. Lesson learned, never enter a silo alone without checking the latch first. Anyone else get trapped somewhere stupid and have to call for help?

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taylor.jessica9d ago

the same thing almost happened to me in an old barn outside of Omaha, except it was a root cellar door that slammed shut on its own. i had my phone but no service, so i just sat there for like two hours until my cousin realized i was gone and came looking. what worked for me after that was always carrying a small multi-tool with a screwdriver attachment, and i started wedging a piece of wood or a rock in any door or hatch before i go in. honestly, the scariest part is how quiet it gets, and how your mind starts spinning on worst case scenarios. glad your buddy came through, but maybe invest in a cheap emergency whistle to keep on your keychain, cause that carries further than yelling. idk if it helps, but now i treat any old structure like it's trying to trap me, and that keeps me from being careless.