markdcatlin | Mine Rescue Team 1926 US Bureau of Mines @markdcatlin | Uploaded November 2012 | Updated October 2024, 10 hours ago.
In the early days of the Bureau of Mines, mine rescuers were called "helmet men" or "apparatus men." Their chief work was to investigate the cause of a mine disaster as quickly as possible, to assist in the rescue of miners, give first aid, and train miners in first aid and mine rescue techniques. Persons receiving first aid training were instructed and examined in the anatomy of the human body, the treatment of hemorrhage, fractures, burns, and shock, and the transport of wounded persons. Certificates of rescue training were given to persons who passed a physical examination, showed ability to wear breathing apparatus while doing hard labor in atmospheres containing noxious or irrespirable gases, demonstrated their ability to adjust and take care of breathing apparatus, and perform the duties of rescue men. Poisonous gases were a serious danger to rescuers after a mine explosion. Early mine rescue men used the Draeger breathing apparatus imported from Germany, or the Fleuss or "Proto" apparatus imported from England. Development and tests of the Gibbs apparatus were completed by the Bureau of Mines in 1918, and made the United States independent of foreign makers of apparatus. Mining laws in developed countries require trained, properly-equipped mine rescue personnel to be available at all mining operations at both surface and underground mining operations. These personnel make up what is known as a "Mine rescue team". Mine rescue teams must know the procedures used to rescue miners trapped by various hazards, including fires, explosions, cave-ins, toxic gas, smoke inhalation, and water entering the mine. As mine rescue is particularly dangerous work, rescue crews are usually made up of volunteers who risk their own lives to save their fellow workers. Most mine rescue teams are composed of miners who know the particular mine, and are familiar with the various sorts of mine machinery they may encounter during the rescue, the layout of workings and geological conditions and working practices. Local and state governments may also have teams on call ready to respond to mine accidents. Mine rescue teams are trained in first aid and the use of a wide variety of tools, and, in the case of underground rescues, the operation of SCBA breathing sets (to work in passages filled with mine gases such as firedamp, afterdamp, chokedamp, and sometimes shallow submersion). For more on the history of mine rescue in the United States, go to msha.gov/CENTURY/RESCUE/RSTART.asp. This is clipped from the 1926 film by the US Bureau of Mines titled, Oxygen Breathing Apparatus, made with the cooperation of the Peabody Coal Company. The film shows the kinds of breathing apparatus used in mine rescues and explains their various parts. A mine rescue team explores a mine, testing for low oxygen content and carbon monoxide. The entire film is posted to my channel. This US Bureau of Mines film and many others are available at the US National Archive in College Park, Maryland.
In the early days of the Bureau of Mines, mine rescuers were called "helmet men" or "apparatus men." Their chief work was to investigate the cause of a mine disaster as quickly as possible, to assist in the rescue of miners, give first aid, and train miners in first aid and mine rescue techniques. Persons receiving first aid training were instructed and examined in the anatomy of the human body, the treatment of hemorrhage, fractures, burns, and shock, and the transport of wounded persons. Certificates of rescue training were given to persons who passed a physical examination, showed ability to wear breathing apparatus while doing hard labor in atmospheres containing noxious or irrespirable gases, demonstrated their ability to adjust and take care of breathing apparatus, and perform the duties of rescue men. Poisonous gases were a serious danger to rescuers after a mine explosion. Early mine rescue men used the Draeger breathing apparatus imported from Germany, or the Fleuss or "Proto" apparatus imported from England. Development and tests of the Gibbs apparatus were completed by the Bureau of Mines in 1918, and made the United States independent of foreign makers of apparatus. Mining laws in developed countries require trained, properly-equipped mine rescue personnel to be available at all mining operations at both surface and underground mining operations. These personnel make up what is known as a "Mine rescue team". Mine rescue teams must know the procedures used to rescue miners trapped by various hazards, including fires, explosions, cave-ins, toxic gas, smoke inhalation, and water entering the mine. As mine rescue is particularly dangerous work, rescue crews are usually made up of volunteers who risk their own lives to save their fellow workers. Most mine rescue teams are composed of miners who know the particular mine, and are familiar with the various sorts of mine machinery they may encounter during the rescue, the layout of workings and geological conditions and working practices. Local and state governments may also have teams on call ready to respond to mine accidents. Mine rescue teams are trained in first aid and the use of a wide variety of tools, and, in the case of underground rescues, the operation of SCBA breathing sets (to work in passages filled with mine gases such as firedamp, afterdamp, chokedamp, and sometimes shallow submersion). For more on the history of mine rescue in the United States, go to msha.gov/CENTURY/RESCUE/RSTART.asp. This is clipped from the 1926 film by the US Bureau of Mines titled, Oxygen Breathing Apparatus, made with the cooperation of the Peabody Coal Company. The film shows the kinds of breathing apparatus used in mine rescues and explains their various parts. A mine rescue team explores a mine, testing for low oxygen content and carbon monoxide. The entire film is posted to my channel. This US Bureau of Mines film and many others are available at the US National Archive in College Park, Maryland.
