I looked up and saw panels that I thought could be removed - I was the smallest person in there not in a panic, so I figured the men could lift me up there. About then, it jerked and moved and jerked and moved until it got to a floor and we got out. I didn't use any elevator in that parking building again. You're likely to get help if the elevator is inside a building where people are, but in a parking building, there are no people around.
When stuck like that, the first thing to do is control your panic and look for a way out. Starting that action, reduces panic.
Re the last part of your post: Panicking is never good
My wife and I got stuck in an elevator in a parking garage in Honolulu on our honeymoon 31 years ago. We rang the bell, tried the phone, waited about an hour, shouted — nothing!
I finally pried the doors open and there was about a three or four foot drop to the nearest floor. We hopped out, but in that instant we were in the opening, I terrified the car would move. Back then there were no automated payment systems, so we yelled at the guy collecting money in the booth at the exit. He couldn’t have possibly cared any less. He nonchalantly went back to reading his book and didn’t lift a finger to fix the problem.
Greta’s experience was far scarier, dropping about four floors. Yikes!
Sadly, far too many women and no few men are in the ‘when in danger, or in doubt, run in circles, scream and shout’ club. Good on you for not being one of them.
Yes, I believe you are correct - deal with the situation you find yourself in until you are out of it one way or the other. Panic later, when you’re well clear and have the leisure to do so.