HCA: Hermit Crab Association

I came home tonight to see my littlest Hermie up. He's been down for about a month. I was so excited I wanted to check him out but when I lifted him up, I guess he freaked out and dropped out of his shell (only about an inch above the sand, so no worries he's injured from the fall). I was so shocked and I ran to get a cup to put him and his shell in but he scooted down a hole in the sand. He's probably about 4 inches down and I can see him. I put his shell at the top of the hole along with some other ones and I changed the food dish to all fresh food with honey and peanut butter and fruit etc.
I will fill out the emergency form if he's not in his shell by the morning, but in the meantime, did I do the right thing? Should I try scooping him out and putting him in a cup with some shells or should I just leave him and hope for the best???

He needs to be reshelled asap! Get him gently, rinse in fresh dechlorinated water, clean out shell same way, then gently coax his body in! He has almost no chance without a shell! Then feed good food and maybe some honey. Maybe even iso in good conditions.

Sent from my LGMS330 using Tapatalk

Wait, is he an E? I've heard of E's "jumping" out of their shells if they feel it's their only escape. If that's the case he should reshell himself. If he hasn't reshelled by now definitely do so.

Sent from my VS880PP using Tapatalk

Thanks for the response! I think he's OK! His shell is gone from the top of the hole and the hole is roughly filled in with sand. So I assume he is back in the shell and is back down the hole!
Will keep you posted if anything else happens!