Victims are most likely to survive in collapse ______ or access corridors (ex. hallways, stairwells, _______).

• A. Cracks; Doors
• B. Cavities; Stairwells
• C. Voids; Elevator shafts
• D. Exhausts; Vent shafts

Answer: (C)

Victims survive best in large air-filled spaces that form inside the rubble—voids. These pockets trap air, shield against smoke and heat, and can stay connected to other floors, giving rescuers a reachable path to the victim. Elevator shafts are a prime example of such vertical voids: they often remain as open channels through the debris, offering breathable air and a potential route for access. Other options describe smaller gaps or barriers that aren’t reliable refuges in a collapse, so they don’t provide the same survival advantage.