2014 Metal and 

Nonmetal Mine 

Rescue Contest Rules

U.S. Department of Labor

Mine Safety and Health Administration
Visit the Mine Safety and Health

Administration Web site at

www.msha.gov
i

PREFACE 

This booklet was prepared for mining industry 

instructors, MSHA instructors and inspectors to train 

mine rescue teams, judges, and contest personnel in 

procedures for a mine rescue contest.

Reference to specific brands, equipment, or trade 

names in this document is made to facilitate 

understanding and does not imply endorsement. 

MISSION STATEMENT

The Metal and Nonmetal National and Regional 

Contests serve as training tools to improve the skills 

required to respond to a mine emergency. These 

competitions serve to strengthen cooperation between 

mining companies, equipment manufacturers, 

Federal and State agencies to enhance mine rescue 

preparedness. This Contest Rule Book establishes 

procedures and rules that serve to guide the rescue 

teams in actual situations. 
ii

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

A special thanks to the Metal and Nonmetal Rules 

Committee for their valuable assistance in preparing 

this booklet. The aforementioned Rules Committee 

is comprised of representatives from the following 

organizations:

Central Kentucky Mine Rescue Association

Central Mine Rescue Unit

Colorado Division of Reclamation Mining Safety

Georgia Mine Rescue Association

Kansas Mine Rescue Association

Mine Safety and Health Administration

Missouri Mine Rescue Association

Nevada Mine Rescue Association

Northern Mine Rescue Association

Rocky Mountain Mine Rescue Association

Stillwater Mine Rescue Association

Southern Mine Rescue Association

Southwestern Regional Mine Rescue Association

Southwestern Wyoming Mutual Aid Association
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 Page

General Rules for Conducting the Contest. . . . . . . 1

Team Trainer Competition

General Rules. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Mine Rescue Field Competition

General Rules. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

 Guidelines and Procedures

Team Members. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Medical Requirements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Equipment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Team Preparation (Apparatus). . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Written Test. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Judges. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Security. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Competition Problem. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

 Team Preparation and Procedures

Apparatus and Material Checks. . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Briefing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Reporting to Field. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Start of Problem. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Equipment Checks and Procedures. . . . . . . . . .23

Standard Communications and Signals. . . . . . . 23

Hoist Signals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Team Safety. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

First Team Stop. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Advancing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Barricades. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Dates and Initials. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Maps and Timing Device. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Ventilation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31

Mine Fires. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
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 Page

Roof or Ground Control. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Gas Field Testing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

 Mine Rescue Discounts and Interpretations

Surface Discount Sheet – Judge #1. . . . . . . . . .40

Surface Interpretation – Judge #1. . . . . . . . . . . 41

Underground Discount Sheet – Judge #1. . . . . 42

Underground Interpretation – Judge #1. . . . . . . 45

Surface Discount Sheet – Judge #2. . . . . . . . . .49

Surface Interpretation – Judge #2 . . . . . . . . . . . 50

Underground Discount Sheet – Judge #2. . . . . 51

Underground Interpretation – Judge #2. . . . . . . 54

Team Discount Summary Sheet. . . . . . . . . . . . .57

Written Examination Discount 

 Summary Sheet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

Map Discount Summary Sheet. . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

Time Discount Summary Sheet. . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

Technician Team Competition

General Rules. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

Written Test. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

Judges. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

Appeals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

Discounts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

 Team Equipment Checks/Preparation

General Rules. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

Judges’ Scorecard. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

Technician Team Discounts and

 Interpretations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

 Multi-Gas Instrument Checks/Problem Diagnosis

General Rules. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

Judges’ Scorecard. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

 Apparatus Checks/Problem Diagnosis

General Rules. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
v

 Page

 Draeger BG-4 Breathing Apparatus

Judges’ Scorecard. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

Technician Team’s Blank Testing Card. . . . . . . . 76

Testing Procedure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

Procedures for High Pressure Leak Test. . . . . . 79

Procedures for Getting Under Oxygen. . . . . . . . 81

 Biomarine BioPak 240R/240S Breathing Apparatus

Judges’ Scorecard BioPak 240R. . . . . . . . . . . . 83

Judges’ Scorecard BioPak 240S. . . . . . . . . . . . 84

Technician Team’s Blank Testing Card 

 BioPak 240R/240S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 

Testing Procedure BioPak 240R. . . . . . . . . . . . 86

Testing Procedure BioPak 240S. . . . . . . . . . . . 87

Procedures for High Pressure Leak Test. . . . . . 89

Procedures for Getting Under Oxygen

 BioPak 240R. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

Procedures for Getting Under Oxygen 

 BioPak 240S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93

Technician Team Discount Summary 

 Sheet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

First Aid Competition

General Rules. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96

Guidelines and Procedures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96

Written Test. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98

Appeals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99

Discounts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

Judges’ Discount Card – Station #1. . . . . . . . . 101

Judges’ Discount Card – Station #2. . . . . . . . . 106

Glossary of Terms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112

Mine Map Legend. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119

1

GENERAL RULES

FOR CONDUCTING THE CONTEST

 1. The National Contest will be comprised of four 

individual events, including a Mine Rescue Field 

Competition (two days for each participating 

team), a Technician Team Competition, a First Aid 

Competition, and a Team Trainer Competition. 

Each event will include a written examination. 

Note: Regional Contests will include the same 

four individual events; however, the field 

competition may be limited to a one day event.

 2. Contest officials will be comprised of the Contest 

Director, Contest Coordinator, Chief Judge, 

Appeals Committee, field competition judges 

(including: field judges, mine managers, and 

mine attendants), isolation officials, written exam 

judges, technician team contest judges, and first 

aid contest judges.

 3. There will be no limitations as to the number of 

teams admitted from any county, state, district, 

company, or organization.

 4. All teams must actively provide bona fide mine 

rescue services for the metal and nonmetal 

mining industry and meet all of the requirements 

set forth in 30 CFR Part 49. Collegiate mine 

rescue teams may compete with approval of the 

Contest Director.

 5. Mine rescue teams may register up to eight team 

members and one trainer. For the purpose of 

technician team and first aid contests, a team 

member may not participate in more than one 

event and each team will only be permitted to 

compete in each event once. The technician 

teams must compete with the same type of 

breathing apparatus and multi-gas instrument 
2

that their teams will be using for the mine rescue 

field contest. For the purposes of identification, 

participants of the Mine Rescue Field, Technician 

Team, and First Aid Contests must be dressed 

uniformly, complete with team logo. This includes 

the testing process. Once registered, no changes 

will be permitted without the permission of the 

Contest Director.

 6. A schedule of Regional Contests and the 

National Contest, as well as the respective 

hosting organizations, will be posted on MSHA’s 

homepage under the “Mine Rescue” heading at 

www.msha.gov. The specific contest entry forms 

may be obtained through the hosting organization.

The entry forms will require information regarding 

the type of equipment (breathing apparatus) each 

team will be wearing, the type and model of all 

gas testing equipment the team will use during the 

field competition, and the type of communication 

system to be used. Any needed equipment 

changes require submission of a modified list to 

the Contest Director for consideration of approval. 

(Note: Each judge will be given a list of your 

equipment prior to working of the problem to 

assist them in determining if the equipment was 

utilized properly and was functional.)

 7. On the day before the contest begins, team 

equipment shall be secured in isolation and team 

registration will be conducted at a designated 

location. Afterward, all of the written tests 

(outlined in this booklet) will be administered in 

isolation. For planning purposes, the hosting 

organization will prepare a contest agenda to 

include: a specified time period for equipment 

drop-off; a specified time period and location 

for team registration; and a listing of scheduled 
3

events for the rest of the week. The agenda will 

be provided in advance to all participating teams 

and contest officials. At the time of the contest, 

the agenda will be posted in various locations as 

a reminder for all.

 8. For the National Contest, the team drawing 

will be conducted as each team drops off their 

equipment in the isolation area. As each team 

arrives, the number selected by the team captain 

will determine their running order for the first day’s 

field competition and the third day’s first aid and 

technician team competitions. On the second 

day of the field competition, the teams will run in 

reverse draw order.

For Regional Contests, a similar team drawing 

will be conducted. However, the number selected 

by each team captain will determine their running 

order for the one-day field competition. Then, the 

teams will run in reverse draw order for the first 

aid and technician team competitions. 

In both cases, position changes necessary for 

management of the respective contest will be 

permitted if the Contest Director approves the 

change.

 9. On every day of the competitions, all teams 

shall be in isolation by 7:00 a.m. (local time). No 

wireless communication or electronic device will 

be permitted in isolation or during the written 

testing.

10. All judges will be persons trained in mine rescue 

procedures; trained in the assembly, use, and 

care of the different types of breathing apparatus; 

and trained in the assembly, use, and care of 

the different types of multi-gas instruments. 

The judges will not be connected with any of 
4

the teams, teams’ employers, or companies who 

manufacture apparatus or gas detecting devices. 

Exceptions to personnel assigned for judging any 

phase of the contest require the approval of the 

Contest Director.

11. ...WARNING... Any team whose member(s) 

intentionally disturb or destroy any component on 

a competition field will immediately be assessed a 

100 point discount. Repeated offense may result 

in team disqualification at the discretion of the 

Contest Director.

12. A trophy will be awarded for the Overall Mine 

Rescue Contest Champion based on the 

best cumulative team scores (least amount of 

discounts), including the combined discounts for 

the mine rescue field, first aid, and technician team 

competitions. In the event of a tie, the team with 

the best mine rescue team standing in the mine 

rescue field competition will be the tie breaker.

13. The results from all elements of the National 

Contest will be mailed to each team. For Regional 

Contests, the results will be distributed to the 

teams at the conclusion of the awards ceremony.
5

TEAM TRAINER COMPETITION

GENERAL RULES

 1. On the day before the contest begins, all written 

tests will be administered in isolation. The team 

members (Nos. 1 – 6) and trainers will be directed 

to sit at separate tables. Persons from the same 

company or organization will also be required to sit 

apart from each other at the designated tables. A 

separate area will be designated for team alternates 

(Nos. 7 and 8) who wish to take the test. Their tests 

will not count toward their cumulative team score.

Note: No wireless communication or electronic 

device will be permitted in isolation or during the 

written testing.

 2. The team trainer test will be included at this same 

time. A total of 60 minutes will be allowed to 

complete all required testing. At the end of the 

allotted time, tests will be collected regardless of 

whether or not the contestants have answered all

of the required questions. 

 3. The written test will consist of thirty (30) multiple 

choice and true/false questions. The questions will 

be taken from:

• Material contained in MSHA Publication 3027 

– Instructor’s Manual for Mine Rescue Training 

(formerly MSHA Publication “IG 6”). The training 

modules in Publication 3027 are as follows: 

Module 1 – Surface Organization; Module 2 – Mine 

Gases; Module 3 – Ventilation; Module 4 – Exploration; Module 5 – Fire, Firefighting, and Explosions; 

Module 6 – Rescue of Survivors and Recovery of 

Bodies; and Module 7 – Mine Recovery.

• Ninth Edition of Brady “Emergency Medical 

Responder – First on the Scene”, Chapters: 4, 

5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 

21, and 26.
6

• The Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 

1977 (The “Act”).

• Title 30 Code of Federal Regulations Part 49 

Mine Rescue Teams, Subpart A – Mine Rescue 

Teams for Underground Metal and Nonmetal 

Mines.

• Current MSHA National Metal and Nonmetal 

Mine Rescue Contest Rules.

• Generic questions covering the use and care of 

self-contained breathing apparatus and multigas instruments.

Contestants will be assessed one (1) discount 

point for each incorrect or unanswered question. 

Any alterations to the test questions or answers 

will be determined to be incorrect by the test judge 

and discounts assessed.

 4. Scoring of the test will be completed by at least 

two qualified judges.

 5. In special circumstances, individual team 

members may be given an oral test by one or 

more judges in lieu of a written test. Requests for 

consideration shall be presented to the Contest 

Director at the time of registration. All other team 

members will take the test at the same time. In 

any case, the judges will not explain the meaning 

of questions, but may explain a word or words in 

the questions.

 6. One trophy will be awarded for the Team Trainer 

Competition. The team trainer with the least 

amount of discounts on the written test will be the 

winner. In the event of a tie, the team trainer with 

Overall Mine Rescue Contest Champion Team 

will determine the winner. The second tie breaker 

would be the team trainer with the best mine 

rescue team standing in the mine rescue field 

competition. 
7

MINE RESCUE FIELD COMPETITION

GENERAL RULES

 1. The Contest Director will establish a reasonable 

amount of time for each team to complete the 

problem(s). All teams will be notified of the 

established time prior to beginning to work the 

problem(s). Any teams working beyond the established time period will be notified by the #1 

Judge that they must leave the field. All teams 

will be scored based on their discounts, including: 

appropriate discounts for items missed in areas 

left unexplored or abandoned by the team; and 

appropriate discounts for necessary actions not 

taken by the team to complete the mission.

 2. Discounts will not be added to the team’s field 

score once the judges have signed their discount 

sheets. This does not preclude changes due to 

administrative errors or a misapplication of a rule.

 3. ... WARNING ... Any team whose member(s) 

intentionally disturb or destroy any component on 

a competition field will immediately be assessed a 

100 point discount. Repeated offense may result 

in team disqualification at the discretion of the 

Contest Director.

 4. Upon completion of the problem, a 5-minute 

review will be conducted. At that time, the team 

will be informed of any infractions regarding their 

working of the problem. The team will be permitted 

to verbally appeal any infractions either with the 

field judge or the chief judge. If not resolved, the 

chief judge will make the final decision until an 

appeal can be filed by the team. Note: During 

this process mutual respect for the judges and 

team members is paramount and civility must be 

demonstrated by all involved or the review will be 

stopped before the allotted time.
8

 5. After the scorecards are checked by the 

scorecard examiners, they will be taken to a 

designated location. The team captain, trainer, 

and one other team member may examine their 

team’s scoring cards for a time not to exceed 20 

minutes. No protest of the discounts assessed 

may be given to the person in charge of the 

review; however, the team captain and/or trainer 

may protest in writing any discount within 30 

minutes after reviewing them. Written appeals 

are not to exceed one page for any discount 

assessed and will be submitted to the Appeals 

Committee.

Documentation (contest rules and other 

documents used in the contest) supporting the 

appeal will be accepted. Any protest(s) will be 

considered by the Appeals Committee. A discount 

summary sheet will be used to list the discounts. 

All discounts except time will be listed and totaled. 

Both the captain and the review judge will sign the 

team discount summary sheet to certify they have 

reviewed the discounts and verified the totals 

(See page 57).

 6. The Appeals Committee shall rule in matters 

concerning any interpretations, procedures, 

or any matter involving proper conduct of the 

Contest. Any complaints filed with the committee 

shall be in writing and shall set forth incidents, 

times, names, source of information, and the act 

complained against. Where a written test question 

or rule application was found to be wrong, all 

teams will receive the appropriate correction. A 

decision by a majority of the committee shall be 

binding.
9

 7. A predetermined amount of trophies will be 

awarded for the Mine Rescue Competition based 

on the best cumulative team scores (least amount 

of discounts). For the National Mine Rescue 

Contest, this would include each team’s combined 

discounts for both day’s field problems plus their 

written test discounts. For the Regional Contests, 

this would include each team’s discounts for the 

field problem (one-day event) plus their written 

test scores. 

In the event of mine rescue field competition ties, 

the underground discount sheet will be the first 

tie breaker, the surface discount sheet will be the 

second tie breaker, mine maps will be the third 

tie breaker, the written test will be the fourth tie 

breaker, and time will be the fifth tie breaker.
10

GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES

Team Members

Each team shall be composed of five members, one 

fresh air base attendant and one assistant (optional). 

Each member shall wear a number on the arm at or 

near the shoulders with number one (1) being assigned to the captain, the number six (6) to the fresh 

air base attendant and seven (7) to the assistant. 

Switching of numbers by team members will not be 

permitted after arriving at the portal or fresh air base. 

Any means of affixing legible numbers on the sleeve 

of the uniform will be acceptable. Additional persons, 

who had been isolated with the team, may assist the 

team placing equipment prior to starting the clock. 

Only the fresh air base attendant and the assistant 

will be allowed to assist the team after the clock has 

started. The fresh air base attendant and assistant will 

be isolated from visual contact with the field while the 

teams are in the mine. The fresh airbase attendant 

will maintain voice communications with the team 

utilizing a portable communication system. The team 

may use either one of the following options to accomplish this task. 

 1. Teams will be equipped with and use a portable, 

hard wire, communication system. The wires or 

cable shall be of sufficient tensile strength to be 

used as a manual communication system. Teams 

may use standard signals if the communication 

system fails. The assistant may listen in with a 

separate headset and advise the fresh air base 

attendant and interact with the team only when 

they are at the fresh air base; however, the 

assistant cannot substitute for anyone.

 2. Teams may use a wireless communication system 

(radios), provided they are designed and used in 
11

such a manner that the integrity of the Contest 

is not jeopardized, as determined by the Contest 

Director. A lifeline will still be required for working 

of the problem. This can be achieved through the 

use of a communication reel or rope, wire or cable 

which has sufficient tensile strength to be used as 

a manual communication system. The assistant 

may listen to the radio transmissions and advise 

the fresh air base attendant and interact with the 

team only when they are at the fresh air base; 

however, the assistant cannot substitute for 

anyone.

Note: For teams using a wireless communication 

system (radios), the specific requirements for 

use are outlined in the “Equipment” section.

In either case, teams wishing to communicate with the 

fresh air base attendant shall use their portable communication system, or they must return to the fresh air 

base. 

Medical Requirements

Per 30 CFR Part 49, all mine rescue team members 

must have completed physical examinations in the 

past 12 months preceding the contest and are capable of performing strenuous work under oxygen. 

Equipment

Breathing apparatus approved for at least four hours

shall be used in the Mine Rescue Contest problems. 

Each team member must have his/her own approved 

breathing apparatus. Teams cannot expect recharging materials, apparatus parts, and accessories for all 

types of apparatus at the contest site. 

Team members must wear an approved protective 

hat, identification tag, safety shoes, permissible cap 

lamps, self-rescuer, and be clean shaven to the extent 

that a good face-to-facepiece seal is achieved. 
12

Each team must have approved gas instruments, or 

testers for rescue and recovery work. 

Teams are required to bring with them a sufficient 

supply of materials. Brattice or other materials necessary for constructing bulkheads or stoppings will 

be furnished by the field committee. Teams will be 

responsible for collecting the material from the source 

of supply. 

When teams report to the fresh air base to begin the 

problem and are given information indicating that 

explosive gas(es) is/are or may be present in the 

mine, they must have non-sparking tools while they 

are working the problem so as not to endanger themselves. If teams do not have non-sparking tools, they 

must ask the official in charge at the fresh air base to 

provide them with such tools before they go underground. 

If the mine is not classified as gassy and the teams 

go underground to work the problem and encounter 

an explosive gas and they do not have non-sparking 

tools, they must return to the fresh air base immediately and ask the official in charge to provide them 

with such tools.

For teams who opt to use a wireless communication 

system (radios) during the mine rescue field competition, the following procedures shall be strictly followed. 

• All radios are to be MSHA-approved and

intrinsically safe. 

• Upon completing the contest entry form, the 

team shall properly identify that they will be 

using radios in lieu of a hard-wired system 

during the field competition. 
13

• On the day before the contest as the team 

drops off their mine rescue equipment, they 

must provide all of their radios to the 

official-in-charge with a list of the programmed 

channels and frequencies. The radios must be 

properly labeled as team property so that they 

can be stored exclusively for the respective 

team’s use. The associated charger(s) must be 

supplied.

• Teams using wireless communication must 

have radios charged and properly programmed 

to the MSHA FCC licensed radio frequencies 

prior to turning them over to contest officials.

UHF radios must support at least 16 channels 

(see Table 1).

VHF radios must support at least 3 channels 

(see Table 2).

Table 1 – UHF Frequencies

Channel Frequency Channel Frequency

1 451.8125 9 464.5000

2 456.8000 10 464.5500

3 456.8125 11 464.5625

4 461.0375 12 466.0375

5 461.0875 13 466.0875

6 461.1375 14 466.1125

7 462.7625 15 466.1375

8 462.7875 16 469.5500

All Frequencies will have a PL code set for transmit

and receive of 94.8 Hz

All Frequencies will be set to “Low Power” and

“Narrow Band”
14

Table 2 - VHF Frequencies

Channel Frequency

1 151.5050

2 151.6250

3 154.5275

• MSHA licensed radio frequencies and settings 

such as PL codes, low power, and narrow 

banding protect MSHA and teams from FCC 

violations and prevent crosstalk between competing teams.

• When selecting a channel for team competition, the team’s radios will be set by a designated contest official on a channel that is 

different from any other radios in use.

• The mine manager or other designated contest 

official will check and monitor conversations 

on the channel selected. In the event of failure 

of the radio provided to the mine manager or 

other contest official, corrective actions will be 

immediately taken by the team.

• Teams may take up to three radios inby the 

fresh air base and must provide at least two 

for the fresh air base to be used by the team’s 

attendant and the mine manager or other 

designated contest official. Teams may leave 

additional radios at the fresh air base for use 

in case of malfunctions. A minimum of three 

radios shall remain operational during the 

working of the problem. This consists of: 

one radio each for the team underground, the 

team’s fresh air base attendant and the mine 

manager or other designated contest official. 

This complement of radios is necessary for the 

team to be considered as using wireless communication. 
15

Team Preparation (Apparatus) 

Team members must make necessary checks of all 

apparatus for proper working condition and airtightness prior to going underground. Cylinder pressures 

must be within specifications of approval. Apparatus 

tests must comply with prescribed tests for that particular type of apparatus. 

An approved 4-hour oxygen breathing apparatus and/

or an approved one-hour oxygen-generating unit must 

be used as an emergency spare for a mine rescue 

team member or for use on the survivor(s) or other 

rescued personnel when respiratory protection is 

needed. 

Note: If a survivor is found and is wearing an approved one-hour oxygen-generating self-contained 

self-rescue (SCSR) device, the team will not be 

required to replace it with one of the above mentioned 

units unless the SCSR has been depleted. In addition, 

if any of the above persons are unconscious, one of 

the above units equipped with a full facepiece must 

be used.

Written Test

On the day before the contest begins, all written tests 

will be administered in isolation. The team members 

(Nos. 1 – 6) and trainers will be directed to sit at 

separate tables. Persons from the same company 

or organization will also be required to sit apart from 

each other at the designated tables. A separate area 

will be designated for team alternates (Nos. 7 and 8) 

who wish to take the test(s). Their tests will not count 

toward their cumulative team score.

Note: No wireless communication or electronic device 

will be permitted in isolation or during the written testing.
16

The field competition test will be included at this same 

time. A total of 60 minutes will be allowed to complete 

all required testing. At the end of the allotted time, tests 

will be collected regardless of whether or not the contestants have answered all of the required questions.

The questions for the written test will be taken from 

material contained in MSHA Publication 3027 – 

Instructor’s Manual for Mine Rescue Training (formerly 

MSHA Publication “IG 6”). The training modules in 

Publication 3027 are as follows: Module 1 – Surface 

Organization; Module 2 – Mine Gases; Module 3 – 

Ventilation; Module 4 – Exploration; Module 5 – Fire, 

Firefighting, and Explosions; Module 6 – Rescue of 

Survivors and Recovery of Bodies; and Module 7 – 

Mine Recovery.

MSHA Publication 3027 is available on the MSHA 

homepage at http://www.msha.gov/MineRescue/ 

Training/TeamTraining.asp or at the following address: 

U.S. Department of Labor

National Mine Health and Safety Academy

ATTENTION: Printing and Training Materials Distribution

1301 Airport Road

Beaver, WV 25813-9426

Telephone: (304) 256-3257

Fax: (304) 256-3368

E-mail:MSHADistributionCenter@dol.gov

The written test of thirty (30) questions will include at 

least ten (10) questions on mine gases from MSHA 

Publication 3027 (Module 2 – Mine Gases) for each 

team member. The questions shall consist of true/false 

and multiple choice questions.

All tests will be scored by two qualified judges using 

a Scantron test scoring machine. The contestants will 

be assessed one (1) discount point for each incorrect 
17

or unanswered question. Any alterations to the test 

questions or answers will be determined to be incorrect by the test judge and discounts assessed. 

In special circumstances, individual team members 

may be given an oral test by one or more judges in 

lieu of a written test. Requests for consideration shall 

be presented to the Contest Director at the time of 

registration. All other team members will take the test 

at the same time. In any case, the judges will not 

explain the meaning of questions, but may explain a 

word or words in the questions. 

The total written test discounts for the competition 

team members (Nos. 1 – 6) will be included as part 

of the team cumulative discounts for the mine rescue 

field competition (i.e., National Contest – two-day total 

or Regional Contest – one-day total).

Judges

All judges will be persons trained in mine rescue 

procedures and knowledgeable in the rules, interpretations, and the procedures for working the respective 

problems. The judges will attend training sessions 

prior to the contest concerning the problems to be 

worked and the guidelines for working such problems. 

Judges will be trained in all aspects of the problems to 

allow for consistent and accurate judging.

Competing teams deserve the full attention of the 

judges and only those personnel judging the specific 

teams are allowed on the field. While the team is in 

the mine, judges must not ask questions, answer 

questions, or interfere with the team. Only personnel 

approved by the Contest Director will be permitted on 

the field. Media access and videos for future training 

aids will be allowed with the Contest Director’s 

approval.
18

During preparation, judges are to observe the captain and other team members as to their knowledge 

and proper operation of the self-contained breathing 

apparatus, gas detecting devices, other respiratory 

protection equipment to be used, and firefighting 

equipment, etc. 

The mine manager will be stationed and must remain 

at the fresh air base when the teams are working the 

problem. He/she will provide answers, as necessary, 

to questions posed by the team, the fresh airbase 

attendant, or the assistant.

A minimum of two (2) persons will judge the team 

during the entire working of the field problem. Only 

the Contest Director, Chief Judge, or their designee 

may discuss discrepancies or discounts on the field. 

If discussions are held on the field, interrupting the 

working of the problem, the time will be stopped and 

restarted after the discussion is over. A Mine Safety 

and Health Administration employee will be the #1 

Judge. All judges must have current Mine Rescue 

Judge’s Training and have been briefed on the particular problem and possible solutions. 

The judges will mark and explain on their scorecards 

the discounts for work performed by each team 

member. In the event that more than one discount 

applies, the highest discount will be assessed for 

a violation. There will be no stacking of discounts. 

Judges must sign their scorecard after the discounts 

have been recorded. Scorecards will be marked 

promptly and delivered to scorecard examiners as 

soon as possible after completion of the problem. 

Security

Each team must be under guard before the start of 

the contest, in a location assigned by the Chief Judge, 

and must remain continuously under guard until time 
19

to work the problem. Any team receiving information 

concerning a contest problem will be disqualified. No 

person except guards and contest officials authorized 

to do so will be allowed to communicate with any 

team or teams under guard. Teams that have performed will not be permitted to communicate with any 

teams awaiting their turn to perform.

Only judges, contest officials, escorted photographers, 

and news media approved by the Contest Director 

will be permitted on the competition fields. A separate 

area will be provided for spectators to observe the 

teams during competition. 

Competition Problem

The problem may involve a multi-level mine; however, 

the team will be limited to working on one level. It 

may include hoists or shafts. Skip pockets and sumps 

(either above or below) will be considered part of 

the working level. Raises or boreholes may be in the 

problem; however, climbing will not be required. 

Teams may have to change existing ventilation, pump 

water, or move falls to rescue persons and/or explore 

if it can be done safely. Changing ventilation shall not 

be done until the official in charge has been informed. 

Ventilation changes will be considered as starting, 

stopping, altering, or redirecting the air current. If 

existing check curtains are to be used to direct ventilation, the check curtain must first be converted into 

a temporary stopping. Regulating airflow to control a 

fire is not considered a ventilation change. 

All areas that have been cleared of smoke and toxic 

or dangerous gases that the teams elect to travel 

through must be rechecked prior to the team’s 

reentering. Upon re-entry into these areas where the 

ventilation has been changed, whether advancing or 
20

retreating through these areas, separate gas tests will 

be conducted by the team along the route they travel 

across each entry (rib-to-rib) within 25 feet of each 

opening to the place turned off the entry. 

When smoke or gas is encountered in an opening, it 

will be considered to extend to a placard indicating the 

smoke or gas is cleared, or to a separation intended, 

or indicated to be air tight. 

If water is being pumped, ventilation changed, falls 

moved, loose rock barred down, etc., teams must wait 

until placards have been changed by the ground committee. If placards have not been changed after 15 

seconds, teams must assume that their actions were 

not successful.

Inaccessible areas only need to be explored when 

there are miners unaccounted for or if an explosive air/

gas mixture will be moved through the unexplored 

areas. Teams may be required to pump water or set 

timbers to explore inaccessible areas. If this is necessary, appropriate materials will be provided in the 

problem. 

Only judges, contest officials, escorted photographers, 

and news media approved by the Contest Director or 

Chief Judge will be permitted in the working areas. 

Insofar as possible, materials rather than placards will 

be used in the mine. Bodies with identification may be 

designated by the use of dummies. When placards indicating conditions are used, they will be placed face 

up, and the letters shall not be less than one (1) inch 

in height, and easily visible. 

Additionally, when these placards are used to identify 

mining machinery or equipment, a description of the 

current condition of the equipment and/or a photocopy 

of a picture of such machinery or equipment may be 

on the placard, when possible, to aid teams in identifying it. 
21

Terms used in the problem will be terms which appear 

in the Glossary of this Rule Book, the MSHA Mine 

Rescue Training Modules, or 30 CFR Part 49 and 

Part 57. 

When raises, winzes or boreholes are in the problem, 

the card identifying them will indicate whether they go 

up and/or down from the level being worked. 

TEAM PREPARATION AND PROCEDURES 

Apparatus and Material Checks 

Before reporting to the contest field, each team 

member must check his/her own apparatus to see 

if it is charged properly and in good working condition. These checks must be within the manufacturer’s 

specified limits and the regenerator fully charged with 

chemicals.

Other materials such as roof testing devices, stretchers, hammers, blankets, fire extinguishers, and gas 

detectors must be checked to see that they are in 

good operating condition. If horns are to be used for 

signaling between team members, they should be 

checked. A portable communication system, utilizing insulated wire strong enough to give and receive 

manual signals, must be used by all teams. Wheeled 

stretchers will be allowed. 

Briefing

When all members of the team have their apparatus 

fully assembled and ready to wear, the captain should 

assemble the team and report to the Briefing Station 

Official when directed by the guard. The team will be 

briefed on field conditions either by a video or a briefing paper. Team members will return any handouts 
22

at the conclusion of the briefing. The briefing should 

contain all pertinent information, including the following conditions: classification of the mine; frequency of 

explosive gas being found; accuracy of the mine map; 

possibility of the mine being cut into another mine; 

condition of the fan; have guards been posted; electric 

power cut off from the mine or affected parts of the 

mine; recovery work that has been accomplished; 

notification of the local, state, and federal agencies; 

reserve rescue teams, equipment, and materials that 

are available. 

Any final adjustments to the equipment and necessary 

talks between team members can be completed prior 

to reporting to the field judge. 

Reporting to Field 

On reporting to the field, communication cable can be 

strung out prior to starting the clock. Afterward, the 

captain should have the team line up at the place indicated by the person in charge. The captain introduces 

his team and remarks “We are here to offer our help. I 

have a fully equipped, properly trained, and physically 

fit mine rescue team and we are ready to do anything 

that you may require in the rescue and recovery work 

at your mine.” The official in charge will reply that they 

do require the service of mine rescue teams, and that 

if they are ready, they can be of immediate service. 

Start of Problem

When the necessary introductions have been made, 

the team captain will indicate that they are ready for 

the problem and map. No work will be done until the 

clock is started. The captain will start the timing device 

and date the board (month, day, year, and team position number) before receiving the problem and the 

map. After the clock is started, only the five working 
23

team members, fresh air base attendant, and assistant 

will be permitted to do the work at the fresh air base. 

MSHA’s field attendants will feed out and reel in the 

communication wire. 

The fresh air base attendant will receive the problem 

and map at the same time. From this point on, the 

team members should discuss the conditions presented by the problem and the map. On the map, solid 

lines will denote actual workings. Although locations 

may not be totally accurate within the six (6) foot map 

requirement, solid lines will represent known conditions. Dotted lines will denote projections and may 

or may not be accurate. These conditions should be 

studied carefully so that proper procedures may be 

decided in advance. 

Equipment Checks and Procedures 

No testing of equipment is required at the fresh air 

base. Testing of equipment used by the team will be 

performed while the team is in isolation before reporting to the field. This testing will not be judged, however, 

if any defects occur while working the problem, discounts will be assessed. Random checks of equipment 

to ensure reliability may be made upon completion of 

the problem. 

Standard Communications and Signals

A portable communication system, utilizing hard 

wire, will be used to inform the fresh air base of all 

conditions encountered. External speakers will not 

be permitted at the fresh air base while working the 

problem. In the event of a communication failure, the 

team will be required to return to the fresh air base to 

repair or replace the system. 
24

The following standard horn blasts or other audible 

signals between team members will be used:

1 blast on the horn will mean for the team to 

“stop” if in motion

2 blasts on the horn will mean “advance”

3 blasts on the horn will mean “retreat”

4 blasts on the horn will mean “distress” 

Hoist Signals 

The following signals will be used for the Mine 

Rescue Field Competition. The conveyance shall 

not be moved without a command signal: when 

persons are to be hoisted or lowered, they must enter 

the conveyance and close the door; then give the 

signal for the desired level followed by either “Hoist 

Persons” (3-1 bells) or “Lower Persons” (3-2 bells). 

9 Bells: Emergency - then ring mine level signal 

where emergency exists. 

MINE LEVEL SIGNALS 

Surface Shaft Collar - 1-2 Bells

 500 Feet First Level - 2-1 Bells

HOIST SIGNAL 

 1 Bell - STOP 

 2 Bells - Lower Conveyance 

 3 Bells - Raise Conveyance 

 3-1 Bells - Hoist Persons 

 3-2 Bells - Lower Persons 

3-3-1 Bells - Hoist Slowly with Caution 

3-3-2 Bells - Lower Slowly with Caution 

1-2-1 Bells - Hoist Muck or Materials Only

2-1-2 Bells - Release Conveyance 
25

Team Safety 

Team members must follow established procedures, 

per this booklet for the type of equipment used, when 

getting under oxygen. 

The team captain must now check each member’s apparatus. A team member must make the same checks 

on the captain’s apparatus. The judges will observe 

the operation and adjustment of the apparatuses. 

The captain should see that the team line is properly 

stretched out and that the team members are holding 

or are attached to the team line. 

If a team encounters smoke, an apparatus check or 

personnel check is required before entering smoke. 

In smoke, all team members must have hold of, or be 

fastened to, a lifeline. 

The captain must now have the team count off either 

orally or visually by the raising of hands. 

The captain must give the signal to advance. The 

stretcher bearers should pick up the stretchers, and 

the rear captain shall relay the signal to the fresh air 

base. When the signal is returned, the team may now 

advance into the mine. 

Entrances to all mine openings shall be examined while 

under oxygen. In air clear of smoke, these checks may 

be made without a lifeline, provided the entire team 

does not go into the entrance. This examination should 

not cover more than twenty-five (25) feet.

For Contest purposes, a placard denoting “clear air” 

will mean that the atmosphere is free of smoke and all 

dangerous and/or harmful concentrations of flammable, combustible, noxious, and or toxic contaminants.

Teams shall never travel through water over knee 

deep.
26

Checking for loose ground (loose roof or rib) is done 

visually by the team captain as the team advances. 

The captain must verbally indicate that he is checking 

for loose ground at every location required. The team 

captain must orally warn the team each time loose 

ground conditions are encountered. A similar warning 

must be given upon retreat. 

First Team Stop

After advancing into the mine, not more than fifty (50) 

feet from the cage or portal, the captain shall give a 

signal for the team to stop. The co-captain may take 

no more than two steps forward after the signal before 

stopping. The captain now checks the members and 

their apparatus to see if they are in good condition 

and a team member checks the captain and his/

her apparatus. (This check must not be made on the 

cage.) The procedure shall be followed at not more 

than twenty (20) minute intervals while the team is 

working the problem. Additionally, apparatus removed 

in order to enter a confined area or apparatus that 

has sustained possible damage from impact must be 

checked before continuing. 

If all the apparatus are operating properly and the 

members are in good condition, the team can now 

continue into the mine. 

The cage door must be closed and the signal to 

release conveyance to a standby mode must be sent 

after the cage has been unloaded. 

Advancing 

When stops are made at the openings of crosscuts, 

intersections, or drifts turned off the drift that is being 

traveled, separate gas tests must be made across 

each entry (rib-to-rib) within 25 feet of each opening 
27

to the place turned off the entry. No place, which 

intersects entry direction, should be passed without 

first checking the condition of that place. Examination 

of any intersection or entry shall not exceed 25 feet 

from the rear captain. This means the captain can 

extend out into openings and take gas readings within 

the limits of the team line. 

In case of entries turned from the entry being traveled, 

it is a matter of choice which entry is to be followed and 

many things must be taken into consideration in making 

the choice. However, the openings of all places must 

be checked before that place is passed. A team will be 

considered to have passed an opening or intersection 

when the number 5 member is past the opening. 

While advancing, if a team encounters an impassable 

fall or other condition that prevents the members from 

following the normal course of travel into an area, they 

may break a stopping and enter that area. If it becomes 

necessary to break a stopping, the team shall erect a 

temporary stopping or stoppings that would have the 

same effect on the area that the original stopping would 

have provided. 

Doors shall not be opened without prior knowledge 

of the effects of the mine ventilation system, unless a 

temporary stopping has been erected. However, in any 

case, if the conditions behind the stopping or door are 

unknown and there is a potential that missing miners are located in the enclosed area, these ventilation 

controls should be treated like a “barricade” and the 

same precautions must be taken as prescribed in the 

section below.

Regulators shall not be opened without prior knowledge of the effects of the mine ventilation system, 

unless a temporary regulator has been erected. 
28

Where crosscuts are blocked, no team member may 

advance more than three (3) feet beyond the second 

(2nd) intersection before tying across and/or behind 

into all unexplored areas that intersect. The second 

intersection will be determined by two crosscuts on 

either side of the entry being traveled. The first intersection will be the blocked intersection. However, a 

team will be permitted to tie across to adjacent drifts to 

tie in behind.

Barricades 

If a barricade is found, the team will take action to protect the barricaded persons as indicated by the conditions found outside the barricade. For the purposes of 

contest work, no barricade will be breached without 

ventilating in front of the barricade if: Oxygen (O2) is 

below 17.0%; or Carbon Monoxide (CO) exceeds 1200 

ppm (0.12%); or Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) exceeds 100 

ppm (0.01%); or Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2

) exceeds 20 

ppm (0.002%); or Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) exceeds 100 

ppm (0.01%); or Carbon Dioxide (CO2) exceeds 4.0%. 

In the event that gases other than these are encountered or indicated by the problem, the team must ask 

for stain tubes or testing devices for these gases if 

they don’t have them.

If conditions behind the barricade are unknown, the 

barricade cannot be breached unless the team erects 

a reasonably airtight temporary stopping. The space 

between the barricade and the temporary stopping 

should be as little as feasible; however, it should be 

large enough for the team to enter. When entering the 

barricaded area, the opening in the barricade should 

be kept to a minimum, the roof in the area shall be 

tested, and gas tests made. 

If survivors are found and conditions warrant (i.e., 

unconscious survivor and/or survivor will travel through 
29

toxic contaminants), they shall be given proper respiratory protection which can include an approved 

one-hour oxygen generating unit. 

Note: If a survivor is found and is wearing an approved 

one-hour oxygen-generating self-contained self-rescue 

(SCSR) device, the team will not be required to replace it with either a four-hour or a one-hour oxygen 

generating self-contained self-rescue unit unless the 

SCSR has been depleted. In addition, if any of the 

above persons are found or become unconscious, 

one of these units equipped with a full facepiece must 

be used.

If more than one (1) survivor is behind the barricade 

and proper protection cannot be provided for all of 

them, the team in retreating should keep the openings 

in the barricade and temporary stopping to a minimum 

so that as little irrespirable air will get into the barricade 

as possible. If the area beyond the last survivor can be 

explored without advancing the survivor, this should 

be done before retreating with the survivor. When all 

the survivors have been removed from the barricaded 

area, the enclosure may be opened (or breached) as 

wide as necessary for easy exit. Survivors must be 

secured to the stretcher and covered with a blanket 

unless first aid procedures indicate other treatment is 

proper. If a person is found behind a barricade or in a 

refuge chamber and the area is not entered, the team 

may advance beyond the chamber for exploration. 

However, if survivor(s) can be safely evacuated without 

changing conditions, they shall be evacuated before 

any further exploration is done. 

Dates and Initials 

The date and the captain’s initials must be marked at 

the point of farthest advance of the team in any direction such as at stoppings, faces of rooms and drifts, 
30

water over knee deep, impassable falls, barricades, 

fires out of control, and at the location of any survivors 

or bodies. The captain must verbally indicate to the 

judges each time initials and date are simulated. 

Maps and Timing Device

The map person and fresh air base attendant must 

use the standardized map legend provided in this rule 

booklet. If a symbol is not available on the legend, 

the team must write out the exact information contained on the placards on both maps. Teams will be 

expected to accurately map all required items on the 

maps maintained by the team and the fresh air base 

attendant.

An additional map will be provided to the team for use 

by the team alternate, if they so choose. However, 

deficiencies found on this map will not be counted 

toward the team’s cumulative score.

After the team has completed its 50 foot check, they 

will not be allowed to physically compare the team 

map with the fresh air base map. That is, no side by 

side comparison will be allowed and no changes 

(edits) can be made to either map while the team is at 

the fresh air base or out of the mine. When the team 

has explored all accessible areas, accounted for all 

miners and completed all required work, they should 

return to the fresh air base and count off. At that time, 

no other changes can be made to either map and the 

captain should present all three maps to the person in 

charge of the mine and stop the timing device. 

The marked maps must show: the condition of all 

faces, stoppings and doors; the location of all placards 

or materials; the location of fires and barricades; and 

the location of dead bodies and survivors (including 

identification). Temporary stoppings that are erected 
31

shall also be shown as well as the location of any gas 

found or indicated by placards. The maps must show 

all locations dated and initialed by the team captain. 

If a team fails to explore the entire mine, the furthest 

point of advance shall be indicated on the maps by a 

line drawn across the entry with the appropriate mine 

map legend symbol. 

Ventilation

Under no circumstances should mine ventilation 

be altered without knowing the full effects of those 

changes and without notification of the changes to 

the mine manager.

A contaminant or explosive gas, when indicated on 

a placard and regardless of the mass, is considered 

moved throughout the established ventilation course 

until exhausted from the mine. 

Unless otherwise documented by placards indicating 

air movement, the mine is not considered to have 

natural ventilation or airflow. All airflow is provided 

by the existence of mine fans or other mechanical 

ventilation. However, before the team can breach, 

open, or alter an existing ventilation control (bulkhead, 

door, stopping, or regulator) without the knowledge of 

the effects on the existing mine ventilation system, the 

team must follow the necessary precautions outlined 

in the “Advancing” section of these rules.

Ventilation changes will be considered as starting, 

stopping, altering, and/or redirecting the air current. 

The direction of airflow depends upon where the team 

constructs ventilation controls. A standard brattice 

frame and curtain are 10 feet. Therefore, if the team 

elects to build a ventilation control at a distance 

greater than 10 feet, such as diagonally across an 

intersection, they must utilize a second brattice frame 

and curtain. 
32

If existing check curtains are to be used to direct ventilation, the check curtain must first be converted into 

a temporary stopping.

Regulating airflow to control a fire is not considered a 

ventilation change.

If there is no clear air separation, indicated by placards, 

stoppings, caved air tight, the entire area is considered contaminated. Once the team has established an 

airflow course, areas that contain contaminants that 

are not directly in the established air course, and have 

two or more openings, could potentially be drawn from 

those areas unless isolation and/or ventilation controls 

are established to prevent movement. An example is 

in an uncontrollable fire area where regulators were 

constructed. Until all but one regulator is closed, airflow 

will draw from those regulators into the established air 

course.

Blankets or other porous materials cannot be used as 

curtains to direct airflow. All brattice material, including 

wing curtains, will be provided for each problem so 

that adequate ventilation can be established to work 

the problem correctly. Teams need not carry additional 

brattice materials on their stretcher. 

All problems will be designed with at least one clear 

and systematic ventilation solution. When the team 

alters and/or constructs ventilation controls, and the 

effects of those changes do not clear the air and the 

placards do not change, the team has missed a critical adjustment to the ventilation solution.

Mine Fires 

When a mine rescue team encounters a noncombatible fire, indicated by “intense heat” or “fire out of 

control,” the team shall, without undue delay, seal the 

fire or regulate the fire, so as to restrict the air flow to 
33

the fire and prevent its further advance. Regulating 

airflow to control a fire is not considered a ventilation 

change. The team must then, without undue delay, 

find all other approaches to the fire and seal or regulate them. This does not preclude systematic exploration of the area. 

Whether to use regulators to control the fire or to 

entirely seal the fire must be decided by the team. 

The team must inform the official in charge prior to 

making any ventilation changes. This decision will 

take into consideration the safety of the team and 

any survivor(s), the classification of the mine (gassy/

nongassy), the presence of any explosive gases, 

the possible effects of any ventilation change(s), and 

other pertinent data. A regulated fire, left unsealed, 

has the potential to emit contaminants into the mine 

atmosphere.
34

Roof or Ground Control

The following illustration (Figure 1) shows the proper 

method of setting roof supports through an unsafe 

area using the safe ribs as support. 

• 5-foot maximum spacing between temporary 

roof supports. 

• The first support is set a minimum of 1 foot 

from the area designated as unsafe. 

• The rib can be used as support unless designated as unsafe. 

If the unsafe roof is less than 5 feet in length, a minimum of three supports must be set; one on each end 

and one under the unsafe roof.

The team must simulate setting support and then 

place placard on the floor in the proper location.

Figure 1
35

The following illustration (Figure 2) shows the proper 

method of setting roof supports through an unsafe 

area with designated unsafe ribs. 

• 5-foot maximum spacing between temporary 

roof supports. 

• The first support is set a minimum of 1 foot 

from the area designated as unsafe. 

• The rib can be used as support unless designated as unsafe. 

If the unsafe roof is less than 5 feet in length, a minimum of three supports must be set; one on each end 

and one under the unsafe roof. 

Team must simulate setting support and then place 

placard on the floor in the proper location.

Figure 2
36

The following illustration (Figure 3) shows the proper 

method of setting roof supports through an unsafe 

intersection. 

• 5-foot maximum spacing between temporary 

roof supports. 

• The first support is set a minimum of 1 foot 

from the area designated as unsafe. 

If the unsafe roof is less than 5 feet in length, a minimum of three supports must be set; one on each end 

and one under the unsafe roof. 

Team must simulate setting support and then place 

placard on the floor in the proper location.

Note: If the team decides to travel through the intersection to the east or the west, additional supports 

will need to be installed (as shown in green on the 

illustration).

Figure 3
37

The following illustrations (Figures 4 and 5) show the 

proper method of setting roof supports to recover a 

patient located under an area of unsafe roof or back.

• 5-foot maximum spacing between temporary 

roof supports. 

• The first support is set a minimum of 1 foot

from the area designated as unsafe. 

If the unsafe roof is less than 5 feet in length, a minimum of three supports must be set; one on each end 

and one under the unsafe roof. 

In each situation, the team must simulate setting supports and then place placards on the floor in the proper 

location.

Note: If the miner is alive and requires first aid, 

additional supports will need to be installed (as shown 

in green on the illustration) so that additional team 

members can safely access the area and provide 

necessary treatment.

Figure 4
38

Figure 5
39

Gas Field Testing

Gas testing proficiency will be conducted during the 

working of the mine rescue field competition. At one 

or more strategic locations on the field, a gas box 

(gas cylinder and tubing) containing an “unknown” 

mixture of gases will be found by the exploring team. 

Each mine rescue team will need to provide their own 

calibration cups for their multi-gas instruments and will 

be expected to report all required concentrations within 

acceptable limits: O2

, CH4, CO, and NO2.

This segment of the contest will be scored by the 

judging officials as follows: at each gas box, there will 

be fifteen (15) discount points deducted per gas if the 

team does not report the respective gas concentration 

within the acceptable limits below:

 a. Oxygen readings are considered to be correct if 

within plus or minus 1.0% by volume;

 b. Methane readings are considered to be correct if 

within plus or minus 0.2% by volume (LEL readings 

are not acceptable);

 c. Carbon Monoxide readings are considered to be 

correct if within plus or minus 20% of the actual 

value present; and

 d. Nitrogen Dioxide readings are considered to be 

correct if within plus or minus 5 ppm of the actual 

value present.
40

MINE RESCUE DISCOUNTS AND INTERPRETATIONS

Surface Discount Sheet

Judge #1

Time: Hours: __ Minutes: __ Seconds: ___ Discounts

 1. Apparatus improperly assembled, 

each apparatus 10 x ___ = ____

 2. Apparatus improperly adjusted to the

wearer, each infraction 1 x ___ = ____

 3. Apparatus part or parts worn or 

deteriorated so as to be dangerous 

to wearer, each person 8 x ___ = ____

 4. Failure to follow prescribed procedures

for going under oxygen, each person 3 x ___ = ____

 5. Failure of team member to be clean 

shaven in the area that affects a good 

face-to-facepiece seal, each infraction 10 x ___ = ____

 6. Failure of captain to examine each

apparatus and have captain’s examined

before entering the mine, each apparatus

each infraction 2 x ___ = ____

 7. Team member not wearing identification,

protective clothing, including safety

shoes, hard hat, permissible cap lamp,

self-rescuer, each infraction 2 x ___ = ____

 8. Failure of team captain to mark date

and team position number on the check

board at mine portal or fresh air base,

or start timing device, each omission 4 x ___ = ____

 9. No work will be done prior to starting

the clock 4 (total) ____

10. Failure of team to “count off” before

entering or leaving the mine 2 x ___ = ____

____________________________ Total Discounts ______ 

 Judge’s Signature 
41

MINE RESCUE DISCOUNTS AND INTERPRETATIONS 

Surface Interpretation 

Judge #1

 1. Apparatus not meeting manufacturer’s life critical specifications during use. This discount will be applied if the team 

captain or team member does not correct it before the team 

goes underground. Once the team has entered the course, 

no further penalty can be assessed by the judge.

 2. Shoulder straps, chest straps, etc., that are twisted or 

not fastened. (Separate discount for each strap.) 

This discount will be applied if the team captain or team 

member does not correct it when the team goes under 

oxygen. Once the team has entered the course, no further 

penalty can be assessed by the judge.

 3. Holes in the breathing tubes or straps worn to the extent 

that they break during working of the problem while still 

at the fresh air base; should not be discounted if they are 

replaced prior to starting work in the mine.

 4. This will depend on type of apparatus used; the proper 

procedure will be outlined in the apparatus section. Once 

the team has entered the course, no further penalty can be 

assessed by the judge.

 5. Self-explanatory.

 6. The captain must examine the apparatus of team members 

and have a team member examine the captain’s apparatus 

before entering the mine. The person making the check 

must obtain assurance from person being checked that he/

she is all right (asking if person is okay will suffice).

 7. Self explanatory.

 8. Captain must mark date and team position number on 

check board after clock is started, and the captain must 

stop the clock after the maps are turned in.

 9. Self-explanatory. 

10. This can be done at any time after the clock is started, but 

must be done prior to team entering the mine for the first 

time. It does not have to be done prior to checking portals. 

Hand or audible counting off is acceptable. It is not necessary to count off upon reentry or leaving mine; however, 

the team is also required to count off when completing 

problem.
42

MINE RESCUE DISCOUNTS AND INTERPRETATIONS

Underground Discount Sheet

Judge #1

 Discounts

 1. Breathing external air while working

problem, each team member, each 

infraction 10 x ___ = ____

 2. Team not following proper procedure

in case of apparatus failure, each

infraction 10 x ___ = ____

 3. Failure of team to stop within 50 feet

of the fresh air base or at the shaft

station to perform personnel and

apparatus checks, upon their first entry

into the mine 4 (total) ____ 

 4. Team member(s) not making apparatus

check after removing apparatus to

traverse restricted clearance or after

apparatus has sustained possible

damage from impact (each person,

each incident) 4 x ___ = ____ 

 5. Apparatus examination exceeding

20-minute intervals. 5 x ___ = ____

 6. Failure to use posted hoisting signals,

each infraction 1 x ___ = ____

 7. Failure to close shaft station gate 5 x ___ = ____

 8. a. Failure of the captain to indicate to

 the team he/she has recognized bad

 ground.

b. Failure of the captain to verbally

indicate he/she is checking the back

 or roof:

 1. at intersections, shaft stations,

 rooms, faces, and mine openings;

 2. at all points of farthest advance;

 3. before building or erecting any

 structure;
43

 Discounts

 4. upon passing through any barricade,

 stopping, bulkhead, air lock, door,

 check curtain, or similar barrier;

5. at the location of fire or intense heat.

c. Any team member performing work or

 moving into any part of an area during

 a team stop before the captain has

 visually checked the ground conditions

 in that part, each infraction 5 x ___= ____

 9. Failure of the captain to mark the date

and his/her initials at the point of farthest

advance of the team in any direction such

as at stoppings, faces of rooms and drifts,

water over knee deep, impassable falls,

barricades, fires out of control, and at the

location of any live persons or bodies,

each omission (maximum 10 discounts) 2 x ___ = ____

 (10 max.)

10. Captain or other team member doing

anything to endanger himself/herself

or other team members, 15 points each

team member so endangered, each

infraction, each occurrence 15 x ___ = ____ 

11. Failure of team to explore or examine

workings systematically and thoroughly,

each omission 4 x ___ = ____ 

12. Teams must be checked immediately

before entering smoke 5 x ___ = ____ 

13. Failure to locate, seal, or extinguish

fire, if possible, without undue delay 50 x ___ = ____ 

14. Failure to notify the fresh air base

when an air/gas mixture has reached

its explosive range. 10 x ___ = ____

15. Failure to bring live person to

surface or fresh air base by the

end of the problem, each omission 50 x ___ = ____
44

 Discounts

16. Failure to locate bodies and/or live

persons, each omission 50 x ___ = ____

17. Transporting survivor in unexplored

territory, leaving survivor unattended,

and moving survivor in any direction

except toward the fresh air base,

each infraction 6 x ___= ____

18. The team performing an act that may

result in the death or injury of survivor(s).

Some examples of this would be:

a. Breaching a barricade with toxic gases

 outside.

b. Directing toxic gases over survivor(s)

 through a change in ventilation

c. In the case of multiple survivors,

 leaving the higher priority patient

 and taking a less injured patient out,

 each infraction

d. Improperly protecting survivor(s)

 from toxic gases 50 x ___ = ____

__________________________ Total Discounts ______ 

 Judge’s Signature
45

MINE RESCUE DISCOUNTS AND INTERPRETATIONS

Underground Interpretation

Judge #1

 1. Working all or part of problem without a facepiece or 

working with inhalation hose disconnected.

 2. Proper procedure would depend on type of apparatus; 

however, team must proceed to fresh air base immediately.

 3. This check must be made: at the first stop, with all team 

members past the portal or off the cage (this does not 

apply to checking mine entrances prior to working the 

problem); before the captain exceeds 50 feet from portal 

or shaft; and before the team leaves the shaft station. 

 4. This apparatus check must be made as soon as all 

team members have passed through the restricted 

area and before any other work is done. Additionally, 

this apparatus check must be made immediately after 

any apparatus has sustained a blow which might cause 

damage to it.

 5. Self-explanatory.

 6. Hoist shaft signals will be posted at shaft stations and 

will be used to notify the hoistman of intended movement 

and cage release.

 7. Self-explanatory.

 8. a. Must so indicate before any other team member 

passes the placard. This applies each time such a 

 placard is reached; when retreating, the rear captain 

must do this.

b. 1. Must be so indicated before physically entering 

 the area.

 2. Includes checking in front of any physical barrier 

 to advancement.

 3. Including erecting or breaching stoppings, 

 barricades, curtains, etc.

 4. Must be so indicated before physically passing 

 through.

 5. Must be so indicated immediately upon 

 reaching the placard indicating fire or intense

 heat.
46

c. This means the captain’s physical presence is 

necessary before any part of an area can be

considered as having been examined.

 9. Such places only need be marked once and also must 

be indicated on both maps. Date means month, day, 

and year.

10. Examples of endangerment include, but are not limited 

to:

a. 15 points will be assessed for each team member 

who:

 1. travels under bad roof or ground;

 2. travels into water over knee deep or into a 

 sump containing water;

 3. travels over or under an open ore pass or ore 

 pocket into which they could fall or be injured 

 by falling objects;

 4. advances past a sign indicating intense heat or 

 fire out of control;

 5. fails to take body substance isolation (BSI) 

 precautions before physically contacting a 

 patient; and

 6. fails to wear apparatus while examining the 

 entrances to mine openings.

b. The entire team will be considered endangered 

and 75 points assessed for:

 1. failure to check a shaft for possible damage, or 

 the presence of fire or flooding, prior to 

 traveling through it. For contest purposes, this 

 check may be done by placing combustible 

 materials on the cage and having the cage 

 lowered to the level to be explored, then raising 

 it to the collar.

 2. not having non-sparking tools in a gassy mine 

 or when explosive gases are found in a non-

 gassy mine.

 3. changing conditions of the mine ventilation 

 system in such a manner that an explosive 

 mixture is moved over an ignition source. 

 Changing conditions of the mine ventilation 

 system in such a manner that an explosive 

 mixture is moved over an unexplored area. If a 
47

 team explores all sides of an overcast or an 

 undercast, both ends of a ventilation shaft, or 

 the top and bottom of shafts when the shaft 

 cannot be traveled, the in-between areas are 

 considered explored for ventilation purposes.

 4. continuing exploration after conditions are found 

 to indicate an imminent explosion is possible by 

 the presence of an explosive mixture and the 

 evidence of fire (smoke or carbon monoxide) and 

 the location of the fire is unknown. A team must

 continue to explore if it knows there is a 

 continuous nonexplosive separation between the 

 explosive mixture and the evidence of fire.

5. utilizing electric or battery-powered equipment 

 in explosive air/gas atmosphere. Ignition sources 

 would include any communication device, unless

 designated as sound-powered or intrinsically safe. 

 6. failure to take a functioning wire communication 

 system into the mine or committing an act that 

 causes the communications system to break or 

 fail while underground.

11. This will be assessed for not exploring all areas of 

the mine that can be explored without endangering 

team, if problem requires entire mine to be explored. 

All accessible areas must be tied across and behind 

before advancing. Where crosscuts are blocked, no 

team member may advance more than three (3) feet 

beyond the second intersection before tying across and/

or behind into all unexplored areas that intersect. This 

may require building an air lock or returning to the fresh 

air base and exploring into other drifts at the discretion of 

the team and according to conditions of the mine. Shafts 

must be checked for possible damage, water, or fire, and 

must be traveled to be considered explored. All shafts 

must be traveled, if possible, before proceeding more 

than three (3) feet beyond the second intersection. 

12. Personnel checks, not necessarily an apparatus check. 

The person making the check must obtain assurance 

from person being checked that he/she is all right (asking 

if person is okay will suffice).
48

13. Sealing or fighting a fire does not relieve the team of 

the responsibility of systematic exploration.

14. Failure to notify the fresh air base when an air/gas 

mixture, which reached its explosive range, has been 

encountered.

15. Self-explanatory.

16. Self-explanatory.

17. If a person is found behind a barricade or in a refuge 

chamber in a contaminated area, and the barricade or 

refuge chamber is not breached, the team may advance.

18. An act which does not endanger the team, but may 

injure or result in the death of a survivor.
49

MINE RESCUE DISCOUNTS AND INTERPRETATIONS 

Surface Discount Sheet

Judge #2

 Discounts

 1. Failure to take necessary permissible

equipment and gas detecting devices

to work the problem, each omission 4 x ___ = ____ 

 2. Gas detectors, testers, and/or indicators

failing to function properly and not

corrected before entering the mine,

each infraction 4 x ___ = ____ 

 3. Testers or detectors improperly

assembled or defective parts used 8 (total) ____

 4. Failure to secure extra apparatus to

stretcher, each omission 4 x ___ = ____

 5. Physically comparing team map with

fresh air base map once the team has

entered the mine. 100 (total) ____

 6. Failure of the team to complete the

problem within the established time

limit. 100 (total) ____

 7. Any team whose member(s) intentionally disturb or destroy any component

on a competition field will immediately

be assessed this discount. Repeated 

offense may result in team disqualification at the discretion of the Contest

Director. 100 (total) ____

____________________________ Total Discounts ______ 

 Judge’s Signature 
50

MINE RESCUE DISCOUNTS AND INTERPRETATIONS 

Surface Interpretation

Judge #2

 1. Failure to take necessary permissible equipment or 

testing devices underground, discount should be 

assessed even if teams return to fresh air base to pick 

up necessary equipment.

 2. Faulty or inadequate equipment must be repaired or 

replaced. (This includes instruments used beyond their 

designed limits or range.)

 3. If any questions exist, the equipment should be 

checked by the judges after the completion of the 

problem in the presence of the team captain.

 4. Extra apparatus must be secured to stretcher to 

prevent it from falling off.

 5. Teams may place reference or other information on 

both maps before proceeding into the mine. After the 

team has completed its 50 foot check, no side by side 

comparison of the maps or changes (edits) will be 

allowed on either map while the team is at the fresh air 

base.

 6. Teams are required to complete the problem in the 

established time limit: explore all accessible areas of 

the mine; extinguish or seal all fires; locate all missing 

miners; and bring all survivors to the surface.

 7. Self-explanatory.
51

MINE RESCUE DISCOUNTS AND INTERPRETATIONS

Underground Discount Sheet 

Judge #2

 Discounts

 1. Failure to make necessary gas tests

where required, each gas, each 

omission 1 x ___ = ____

 2. Improper procedure when testing with

gas detectors, each gas, each infraction 1 x ___ = ____

 3. Intentional causing of a test instrument

to inflate faster than tests indicate that

it should, each infraction 1 x ___ = ____

 4. At each gas box on the field, the team

must stop and take a measurement and 

report the respective gas concentrations

within the acceptable limits below 

(each gas box, each occurrence):

a. Oxygen (O2

) readings are 

considered to be correct if within 

plus or minus 1.0% by volume; 15 x ___ = ____

b. Methane (CH4

) readings are 

considered to be correct if within

plus or minus 0.2% by volume; 15 x ___ = ____

c. Carbon Monoxide (CO) readings

are considered to be correct if 

within plus or minus 20% of the 

actual value present; and 15 x ___ = ____

d. Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2

) readings 

are considered to be correct if 

within plus or minus 5 ppm of

the actual value present. 15 x ___ =____

 5. Less than 5 members entering, 

working or completing problem, 

each person 8 x ___ = ____

 6. Traveling at more than a normal

walking speed 8 (total) ____
52

 Discounts

 7. Team member talking to an unauthorized

person without permission of the

judges or contest officials, each 

infraction 5 x ___ = ____ 

 8. Intentionally detaching/severing 

lifeline 5 (total) ____

 9. All team members must be connected

or have hold of the lifeline when the

team is traveling or when in smoke.

When stopped, in clear air, at least

one person must have hold of the life

line. If tag lines are used between

team members and the team line,

they shall be no longer than 3 feet

in length. 2 x ___ = ____

10. Failure to erect temporary barricade,

stopping or regulator when necessary,

each infraction 10 x ___ = ____ 

11. Failure to erect temporary barricade,

seal, or stopping reasonably airtight,

each infraction 2 x ___ = ____ 

12. Failure to make necessary ventilation

changes or changing ventilation or

electric power before the effects of

such changes are known, each 

infraction 15 x ___ = ____ 

13. Failure to properly secure survivor to

stretcher; failure to cover survivor with

blanket (unless first aid procedures

indicate otherwise); or placing survivor

on stretcher in such a way as to foul

proper operation of apparatus, each

omission 4 x ___ = ____
53

 Discounts

14. Survivor care:

a. Failure to adequately examine and

 assess each person found in the

 mine for possible injury or illness,

 each infraction 4 x ___ = ____

b. Failure to properly treat any

 injury or illness which is, or should

 have been, revealed by the

 examination, each infraction 4 x ___ = ____

15. Failure to follow proper procedure

when putting apparatus on survivor,

each infraction 5 x ___ = ____

16. Assistance given by supposedly

unconscious person, each infraction 5 x ___ = ____

__________________________ Total Discounts ______ 

 Judge’s Signature 
54

MINE RESCUE DISCOUNTS AND INTERPRETATIONS 

Underground Interpretation 

Judge #2 

 1. Tests for gases must be made at face areas, stoppings, 

doors, regulators, barricades and other areas where 

conditions are unknown. When stops are made at the 

openings of crosscuts, intersections, or drifts turned off 

the drift that is being traveled, separate gas tests must 

be made across each entry within 25 feet of the rear 

captain’s position. No place shall be passed without first 

checking the condition of that place. That is, if a room is 

turned from the entry, that room shall be checked before 

examining the entry beyond the opening. This does not 

necessarily hold true in cases of entries. In cases of 

entries turned from the entry being traveled, it is a matter 

of choice which entry is to be followed and many things 

must be taken into consideration in making the choice. 

However, all places must be checked before that place 

is passed. A team will be considered to have passed an 

opening or intersection when the No. 5 member is past 

the opening. All areas that have been cleared of smoke 

and toxic or dangerous gases that the teams elect to 

travel through must be rechecked prior to the team’s 

reentering. Upon re-entry into these areas where the 

ventilation has been changed, teams shall make gas 

tests at all openings along the route they travel.

 2. This will depend on type of instrument used. Improper 

procedure when testing includes the location of the 

instrument when testing or using a gas detection device 

beyond its limits or range. For example, a methane 

detector must be held overhead when testing because 

methane (CH4

) is light and will be found in high places 

near the back or roof. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2

) is relatively 

heavy and will be found in greater concentrations along 

the floor and in low places. Therefore, this test must be 

made with the tester below the waist. Carbon monoxide 

(CO) is slightly lighter than air so this test must be made 

at chest height. 

 3. Self-explanatory.

 4. Self-explanatory.
55

 5. This does not apply to checking mine entrances prior to 

working the problem.

 6. Teams traveling obviously faster than a normal walk 

(both judges must concur on this) shall be discounted.

 7. Do not hesitate to assess this discount; however, 

explain and name unauthorized person on discount 

card and state instructions given, if known.

 8. Self-explanatory.

 9. The No. 5 member may move from side to side to give 

captain more area when team is connected by lifeline 

in smoke or by communication line as long as he/she 

does not pull or give line. All team members must hold 

or be attached to the lifeline at all times while traveling. 

If taglines are used between team members and the 

team line, they shall be no longer than 3 feet in length.

10. Stoppings, doors, regulators, and barricades require 

construction of temporary stoppings by a team before a 

team may make openings in the pre-existing stoppings, 

doors, etc. Doors shall not be opened without prior 

knowledge of the effects of the mine ventilation system, 

unless a temporary stopping has been erected. 

Regulators shall not be opened without prior knowledge 

of the effects of the mine ventilation system, unless a 

temporary regulator has been erected. This does not 

apply to existing check curtains used to direct the air 

current. When retreating out of a barricade or coming 

back through a stopping where an air lock has been 

erected, it will not be necessary to air lock on the way 

out, if this will not change any existing ventilation.

11. During a ventilation change, a curtain that directs 

airflow is required to be upgraded to a temporary 

barricade, seal, or stopping and must be fastened at 

top and sides.

12. Teams must inform the official in charge before 

changing the ventilation or electric power, and such 

things as explosive gases and the safety of trapped 

miners and rescue personnel must be considered. 

Teams do not have to exit the mine to change 

power or ventilation. Teams can inform the fresh air 

base attendant by approved communication devices 

available, and the fresh air base attendant must inform 
56

the official in charge before changing ventilation 

or electric power. Informing the official in charge of 

the fresh air base does not relieve the team of the 

responsibility of their decision.

13. Survivor must be secured to stretcher by at least two 

bandages or straps, one around trunk of body and one 

around legs, covered with blanket, and placed so as not 

to crimp air hoses. (Hands of unconscious person must 

be secured.)

14. a. This will be based on the Ninth Edition of Brady

 “Emergency Medical Responder – First on the 

Scene”, Chapters: 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 

16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, and 26, and MSHA 

Publication 3027 (IG 6) - Module 6, Rescue of 

Survivors and Recovery of Bodies. (This book may 

be ordered from the National Mine Health and 

Safety Academy. See page 16.)

b. A team must deal with a victim(s), if there is either

visual or verbal contact or if the rescue can be 

done without violating procedures. Visual contact 

requires the captain’s presence in the area. Verbal 

contact is any voice communication from the victim 

that can reasonably be expected to be heard by 

the team.

15. To properly protect a survivor, a team must provide an 

approved 4-hour oxygen breathing apparatus and/or an 

approved one-hour oxygen-generating unit. However, 

if a survivor is found and is wearing an approved onehour oxygen-generating self-contained self-rescue 

(SCSR) device, the team will not be required to replace 

it with one of the above mentioned units unless the 

SCSR has been depleted. In addition, if the survivor is 

unconscious, one of the above units equipped with a 

full facepiece must be used.

16. Applies to person sitting up unassisted or moving arms 

so as to help in putting on apparatus. (Only applies 

if person is member of the team and not an MSHA 

employee.)
57

MINE RESCUE FIELD COMPETITION

Team Discount Summary Sheet

Team No.:_______________________________________ 

Company Name: __________________________________ 

Team Name: _____________________________________ 

Judge #1 Surface: __________________________

 Underground: _____________________

Judge #2 Surface: __________________________

 Underground: _____________________

Written Test: _____________________________________

Map: ___________________________________________

Working Time: Hours: ____ Minutes: ____ Seconds: ____

Total Discounts

Excluding average time: ____________________________

Time Review Completed: ___________________________

I certify that I have read and reviewed all discounts listed

above.

_____________________ _____________________

 Team Captain Review Judge 
58

MINE RESCUE FIELD COMPETITION

Written Examination Discount Summary Sheet

Company Name: __________________________________ 

Team Name: _____________________________________

Draw Number: ___________________________________

 Discounts 

For each incorrect answer for each person

(1 discount)

No. 1 person 1 x ____ = _____

No. 2 person 1 x ____ = _____

No. 3 person 1 x ____ = _____

No. 4 person 1 x ____ = _____

No. 5 person 1 x ____ = _____

No. 6 person (substitute) 1 x ____ = _____ 

________________________ Total Discounts ________ 

 Judge’s Signature 
59

MINE RESCUE FIELD COMPETITION

Map Discount Summary Sheet

Company Name: __________________________________ 

Team Name: _____________________________________

Draw Number: ___________________________________

Team Map:

 1. Failure to record information on map 1 x ___ = ___

 2. Not recording information accurately

on map (within 6 feet of actual

location measured from the center

point of the object), each infraction 1 x ___ = ___

Fresh Air Base Map:

 1. Failure to record information on map 1 x ___ = ___

 2. Not recording information accurately

on map (within 6 feet of actual

location measured from the center

point of the object), each infraction 1 x ___ = ___ 

_________________________ Total Discounts ______ 

 Map Examiner’s Signature
60

MINE RESCUE FIELD COMPETITION

Time Discount Summary Sheet

Company Name: __________________________________ 

Team Name: _____________________________________

Draw Number: ___________________________________ 

 Total Time 

Total time will be rounded off to the next 

highest minute. (Total average time will also 

be rounded off to the next highest minute.) ________ 

 Discounts 

For each minute over average time. 1⁄2 x ___ = ____ 

________________________ Total Discounts _______

 Timekeeper’s Signature
61

TECHNICIAN TEAM COMPETITION

GENERAL RULES

 1. The Technician Team Competition will be held in 

a simulated mine rescue station and may consist 

of benching at least two self-contained breathing 

apparatus and at least one multi-gas instrument, and 

testing the communications system to ensure the 

field readiness of the team. Thus, with this practical 

approach at the conclusion of the competition, the 

technician team’s mine rescue team will be prepared to 

go underground and conduct a successful mine rescue 

mission. 

 2. The technician team will consist of two members of the 

8 person mine rescue team. Persons competing in the 

Technician Team Competition cannot be members of 

the first aid team.

 3. Registration will be made with the team registration.

 4. The Technician Team competition will be held at 

designated location in conjunction with the first aid 

competition. Contestants will remain in isolation until 

they finish the Technician Team Competition or they will 

be disqualified.

 5. For the purposes of identification, participants of 

the Technician Team Competition must be dressed 

uniformly, complete with team logo and team member 

number.

 6. After the team verifies that they are ready, the clock will 

be started. The technician team may work together or 

separately to complete the required tasks.

 7. At the simulated mine rescue station, the technician 

team will be provided with at least two breathing 

apparatuses and at least one multi-gas instrument 

(designated by each team at the time of registration), 

equipment, tools, and supplies, as necessary to 

complete the problem. Only those tools, equipment, 

and supplies provided will be used by contestants 

to work the problem. It is imperative that each team 

provide the type and model of breathing apparatus and 

the type and model of multi-gas instrument that the 

team will be using during the field competition because 
62

the same type and model of breathing apparatuses 

and multi-gas instruments will be made available to the 

Technician Team at the “simulated mine rescue station” 

during the Technician Team competition. 

 8. Thirty (30) minutes will be allowed to complete the 

competition. There will be a five (5) minute warning 

given by the judge when the time is about to expire. If 

the technician team has not completed the competition 

when time expires, the judges will stop their activities. 

They will be scored based on their discounts to that 

point, including: appropriate discounts for items missed; 

and appropriate discounts for necessary actions not 

taken by the technician team to complete the assigned 

task. 

9. If the problem is not completed in the specified time, an 

additional twenty-five (25) discounts will be assessed.

10. All defects in testing and preparation will result in the 

appropriate discounts.

11. ... WARNING ... Any team whose member(s) 

intentionally disturb or destroy any component on a 

competition field will immediately be assessed a 100 

point discount. Repeated offense may result in team 

disqualification at the discretion of the Contest Director.

12. At a pre-designated time after the competition, 

the judges will conduct a five-minute review of all 

discounts. After the review, both the judges and the 

technician team will sign the appropriate judge’s 

scorecard in the spaces provided. All appeals must 

be in writing and submitted within 30 minutes of the 

conclusion of the five-minute review. The contest 

appeals committee ruling will be final.

13. Only judges, contest officials, escorted photographers, 

and news media approved by the contest director will 

be permitted in the technician team simulated mine 

rescue station. A separate area will be provided for 

spectators to observe the teams during competition. 

14. A predetermined amount of trophies will be awarded for 

the Technician Team Competition. These will include 

separate trophies for the teams using Draeger BG-4 

apparatuses and those teams using Biomarine BioPak 

240R/S apparatuses.
63

The combined total discounts of the written tests 

and the individual segments of the competition will 

determine the winners. In the event of a tie, the written 

test scores will determine the winner. The total time will 

be the second tie-breaker. The winning teams will be 

announced during the banquet.

WRITTEN TEST

 1. On the day before the contest begins, all written tests 

will be administered in isolation. The team members 

(Nos. 1 – 6) and trainers will be directed to sit at 

separate tables. Persons from the same company or 

organization will also be required to sit apart from each 

other at the designated tables. A separate area will be 

designated for team alternates (Nos. 7 and 8) who wish 

to take the test(s). Their tests will not count toward their 

cumulative team score.

Note: No wireless communication or electronic device 

will be permitted in isolation or during the written 

testing.

 2. The technician team tests will be included at this same 

time. The written test will consist of thirty (30) multiple 

choice and true/false questions. The questions will be 

taken from:

a. MSHA Publication 3027 (formerly “IG 6 – 

Instructor’s Manual for Mine Rescue Training”): 

Module 2 – Mine Gases and Module 3 – 

Ventilation.

b. Mine Rescue Contest Rules

c. Respective instrument and apparatus 

manufacturers’ service or operations manuals, 

handbooks, and instructional videos (Note: these 

videos may be found on the individual 

manufacturers’ websites).

 3. Each test will include ten (10) questions from those 

references listed in items 2(a) and 2(b) above. In 

addition, each test will include questions concerning the 

breathing apparatus or multi-gas instrument as follows: 

a. The team member designated to complete the 

apparatus bench portion of the competition 
64

will take a written test which will include twenty (20) 

questions concerning the breathing apparatus 

used by the Technician Team’s mine rescue team, 

as declared on the contest registration form.

b. The team member designated to complete the 

multi-gas instrument bench portion of the 

competition will take a written test which will include 

(20) questions concerning the multi-gas instrument 

used by the Technician Team’s mine rescue team, 

as declared on the contest registration form.

The respective test questions will be taken from the 

manufacturer’s current published information for 

each apparatus or multi-gas instrument.

 4. Contestants will be assessed one (1) discount point for 

each incorrect or unanswered question. Any alterations 

to the test questions or answers will be determined to 

be incorrect by the test judge and discounts assessed.

 5. Scoring of the test will be completed by at least two 

qualified judges.

 6. In special circumstances, individual team members 

may be given an oral test by one or more judges in 

lieu of a written test. Requests for consideration shall 

be presented to the Contest Director at the time of 

registration. All other team members will take the test at 

the same time. In any case, the judges will not explain 

the meaning of questions, but may explain a word or 

words in the questions.

JUDGES

 1. All judges will be trained as prescribed by the Contest 

Director.

 2. Judges must stand clear of team members.

 3. Prior to the competition, judges will ensure that the 

team’s breathing apparatus(es), multi-gas instrument(s), 

and communications system contains only the 

deficiencies as per the planned problem. 

 4. When unplanned deficiencies are encountered, judges 

will stop the clock, instruct the technician team to turn 

their backs to their respective area, at which time the 

judge will correct the unplanned deficiencies. Judges 

shall instruct the technician team that upon turning back 
65

to their area, the clock will restart. If the deficiencies are 

caused by either team member, the clock will not be 

stopped.

APPEALS

 1. After the 30-minute time limit expires, the technician 

team will be notified to report to the area designated 

for 10-minute looks. The team will have 10 minutes 

for reviewing the judges’ scorecards and written test 

scores. A discount summary sheet will be used to list 

the discounts. All discounts will be listed and totaled. 

Both the technician team and the review judges will sign 

the discount sheet to certify they have reviewed the 

discounts and verified the totals (see page 95). After the 

completion of the review, the technician team will have 

an additional 30 minutes to prepare and submit any 

appeals. All appeals must be in writing and must clearly 

state the team’s comments to the discount in question.

 2. All appeals will be considered by the Technician Team 

Appeals Committee and their decision will be binding 

and final. 

DISCOUNTS

 1. Discounts will not be added to the technician team 

score once the judges have signed their discount sheets 

following a review with team members. This does not 

preclude changes due to administrative errors or a 

misapplication of a rule.

 2. Technician Teams will not be discounted more than 

once for any one mistake in the same segment of the 

competition where such mistake may qualify under more 

than one discount. Judges will confer and assess the 

highest single discount.
66

TECHNICIAN TEAM COMPETITION

TEAM EQUIPMENT CHECKS/PREPARATION

GENERAL RULES

 1. The technician team must make necessary checks 

of multi-gas instruments (see Multi-Gas Instrument 

Checks/Problem Diagnosis) and self-contained 

breathing apparatuses (see Apparatus Checks/Problem 

Diagnosis) for proper working condition. These checks 

must be within the manufacturer’s specified limits. 

The extra breathing apparatus must also be tested 

accordingly.

 2. The technician team must check the portable 

communication system to ensure that it works properly 

and has insulated wire strong enough to give and 

receive manual signals in the event of failure.

 3. Faulty equipment must be repaired or replaced. If 

replacements or replacement parts are not available, 

these items can be requested from the respective 

judges.

 4. The equipment provided during the competition (i.e., 

breathing apparatuses, multi-gas instruments, and 

communications system with associated components), 

must be MSHA-approved and bear an MSHA Approval 

sticker where applicable.
67

TECHNICIAN TEAM COMPETITION

TEAM EQUIPMENT CHECKS/PREPARATION

Judges’ Scorecard

 Discounts

 1. Failure to provide necessary equipment

or supplies for the team to work the

problem, each omission 5 x ___ = ____ 

 2. Failure to repair or replace defective

equipment, each infraction 5 x ___ = ____ 

 3. Failure to check and repair, if necessary,

the communications system 10 (total) ____

 4. Failure to complete the problem within

the time limit 25 (total) ____

 5. Any team whose member(s) intentionally

disturb or destroy any component on a

competition field will immediately be

assessed this discount. Repeated offense

may result in team disqualification at the

discretion of the Contest Director. 100 (total) ____

___________________________ Total Discounts ______ 

 Judge’s Signature
68

TECHNICIAN TEAM DISCOUNTS

AND INTERPRETATIONS

TEAM EQUIPMENT CHECKS/PREPARATION

 1. At the conclusion of the competition, the technician 

team’s mine rescue team must be prepared to 

go underground and conduct a successful mine 

rescue mission. The Technician Team must check 

the available apparatuses, multi-gas instruments, 

and communications system to ensure that they are 

adequate to meet the requirements of the problem and 

that they are in functional condition and ready for use.

 2. All faulty equipment must be repaired or replaced. If 

replacements or replacement parts are not available, 

these items can be requested from the respective 

judges.

 3. Self-explanatory.

 4. Self-explanatory.

 5. Self-explanatory.
69

TECHNICIAN TEAM COMPETITION

MULTI-GAS INSTRUMENT CHECKS/PROBLEM DIAGNOSIS

GENERAL RULES

 1. The technician team must be familiar with the respective 

multi-gas instrument manufacturer’s operations manual, 

handbook, and/or instructional videos. (Note: these 

videos may be found on the individual manufacturers’ 

websites).

 2. For Contest purposes, multi-gas instruments used by the 

teams during the field and technician team competitions 

(designated by each team at the time of registration) 

must include at least one instrument that meets the 

requirements of 30 CFR 49.16(a)(6).

 3. The multi-gas instrument given to the technician team 

may have multiple bugs or problems consisting of any of 

the following:

a. Missing and/or needed sensors

b. Failed sensors

c. Mis-calibrated sensors

d. Dead or incorrect batteries

e. Incorrect alarm and calibration points

f. Missing parts

g. Defective parts

 4. The technician team will be expected to evaluate the 

instrument(s), repair all of the deficiencies, properly 

calibrate or functional (bump) test the instrument(s), and 

check for proper action level alarm set points. During this 

process, the technician team may need to reconfigure 

the instrument(s) to complete these tasks. After final 

assembly and proper calibration, an “unknown” gas 

mixture will be applied to the respective instrument to 

verify proper function.

 5. The technician team may return to correct any 

uncorrected deficiencies at any time within the time limit. 

 6. Five (5) discount points per alarm point will be assessed 

for any incorrectly set alarms.

 7. Five (5) discount points will be assessed for each instance of incorrect procedure or equipment use during 

calibration.
70

 8. No discounts will be assessed for replacing nondeficient sensors, as long as the resulting calibration(s) 

and alarm points are correct. 

 9. Fifteen (15) discount points will be assessed for 

each incorrect gas concentration identified when the 

instrument is subjected to the “unknown” gas mixture, 

as follows: 

a. Oxygen readings are considered to be correct if 

within plus or minus 1.0% by volume;

b. Methane readings are considered to be correct if 

within plus or minus 0.2% by volume (LEL readings 

are not acceptable);

c. Carbon Monoxide readings are considered to be 

correct if within plus or minus 20% of the actual 

value present; and

d. Nitrogen Dioxide readings are considered to be 

correct if within plus or minus 5 ppm of the actual 

value present.

10. For completion, the instrument(s) must be fully 

assembled, operating, and properly configured within 

the allowed time. If the team technician does not leave 

the instrument(s) in this “ready-for-use” condition, a five 

(5) point discount will be assessed.
71

TECHNICIAN TEAM COMPETITION

MULTI-GAS INSTRUMENT CHECKS/PROBLEM DIAGNOSIS

Judges’ Scorecard

Technician Team: _________________________________

Company Name: __________________________________ 

Team Name: _____________________________________

Draw Number: ___________________________________ 

Instrument Model ________ Serial # __________________

Bench Problem

 Alarm Points

Sensor Reqd. Set Comments Discounts

O2 Low 19.5 _______ ____________ ______

 High 23.5 _______ ____________ ______

 Procedure __________________________ ______

CH4 Low 1.0 _______ ____________ ______

 High 1.5 _______ ____________ ______

 Procedure _________________________ ______

CO Low 50 _______ ____________ ______

 High 100 _______ ____________ ______

 Procedure __________________________ ______

NO2 Low 3.0 _______ ____________ ______

 High 5.0 _______ ____________ ______

 Procedure __________________________ ______

Toxic:

____ Low ___ _______ ____________ ______

 High ___ _______ ____________ ______

 Procedure __________________________ ______

Additional Discounts:

Functional (Bump) Test Not Performed, if required -

 5 discounts, each infraction ______

Instrument subjected to “Unknown” gas mixture - 

 15 discounts, each incorrect concentration identified ______

Multi-gas Instrument(s) not “ready for use” 

 5 discounts (total) ______

___________________________________________ ______

___________________________________________ ______

___________________________________________ ______

___________________________________________ ______

Judge ________________________ Total discounts: ______

Judge _______________________
72

TECHNICIAN TEAM COMPETITION

APPARATUS CHECKS/PROBLEM DIAGNOSIS

GENERAL RULES

 1. The technician team must be familiar with the 

respective self-contained breathing apparatus 

manufacturer’s service manual.

 2. The technician team will be provided with at least one 

fully assembled self-contained breathing apparatus, 

an apparatus tester, defogging solution, leak detector 

fluid, and all parts necessary to complete the problem. 

Only tools, apparatus, and testing equipment provided 

by the judge will be used by the technician team to 

work the problem. Bugs used in the competition will be 

consistent with all models of breathing apparatuses.

 3. Checks must be performed in order as prescribed 

by the manufacturer and recorded. If and when 

deficiencies are encountered, the technician team must 

call out to the judge and properly correct and record 

any and all deficiencies. Visuals can be performed at 

any time.

 4. The technician team may return to correct any 

uncorrected deficiencies within the thirty (30) minute 

time limit.

 5. If the technician team performs checks out of order, 

there will be a one-time discount of five (5) points 

assessed.

 6. The technician team will be allowed to move forward, 

in order, in the event a deficiency is detected but not 

located. Once deficiency is corrected, the technician 

team must return to the point of deficiency and repeat 

all test steps in proper order.

 7. If checks are performed incorrectly, checks will be 

discounted as not performed.

 8. Fifteen (15) discounts will be assessed for each 

deficiency not found.

 9. Five (5) discounts will be assessed for each deficiency 

not corrected.

10. Five (5) discounts will be assessed for each monthly 

check not performed.
73

11. Sucking or blowing on valves with one’s mouth while 

making checks is prohibited. There will be a ten (10) 

point discount assessed for each infraction.

12. For completion, the self-contained breathing 

apparatuses must be assembled with hoses connected 

to the facepiece and attached to the apparatus. The 

spare apparatus must be secured to the stretcher 

within the allotted time. If the team technician does 

not leave the apparatuses in this “ready-for-use” 

condition, a five (5) point discount will be assessed. 

This rule addressing “ready for use” criteria is selfexplanatory and specific. Contestants must ensure that 

all apparatuses found at the “simulated mine rescue 

stations” are left in this condition before the thirty (30) 

minute time limit expires. Any deviation or omission will 

result in a five (5) point discount.

13. All breathing apparatuses at the “simulated mine 

rescue station” must be examined in order to determine 

when they received their last monthly checks. Those 

units which have documentation (e.g., on a tag, on a 

piece of paper, or in a log book) showing the monthly 

checks were conducted within the past 30 days must 

still undergo a “high pressure leak test.”
74

TECHNICIAN TEAM COMPETITION

DRAEGER BG-4 BREATHING APPARATUS
75

TECHNICIAN TEAM COMPETITION

DRAEGER BG-4 BREATHING APPARATUS

CHECKS/PROBLEM DIAGNOSIS

Judges’ Scorecard

Apparatus Serial #

Test Date

Visual Inspection

Low Pressure Alarm

(Negative Pressure 

Warning)

Inhalation Valve

Exhalation Valve

Drain Valve

Positive Pressure 

Leak

Relief Valve

Constant Metering 

(Dosage)

Minimum Valve

Bypass Valve

Residual Warning

Battery Check

Test OK (initials)

Replacement Parts

Ready for Use

Team No. _______________

Technician(s) _____________

Company ________________ 

 Corrected

Bug _________

Bug _________

Bug _________

Bug _________

Bug _________

Bug _________

Summary of Discounts

Required check not performed: 

5 discounts x ______ = ______

Checks out of order: 

5 discounts (total) _______

Deficiency (bug) not found: 

15 discounts x ______ = ______

Deficiency (bug) not corrected: 

5 discounts x ______ = ______

Sucking/Blowing Valves: 

10 discounts x ______ = ______

Apparatuses not “Ready for Use”: 

5 discounts (total) ______

Total Discounts _________

Judge _____________________

Judge _____________________
76

TECHNICIAN TEAM COMPETITION 

BENCHMAN’S CONTEST - DRAEGER BG-4

CHECKS/PROBLEM DIAGNOSIS

Technician Team’s Blank Testing Card

Team No. _______________

Technician(s) _____________

Company ________________ 

Problems Found Corrected

Bug _______

Bug _______

Bug _______

Bug _______

Bug _______

Bug _______
77

TESTING PROCEDURE

DRAEGER BG-4 BREATHING APPARATUS

TESTER

STEP SETTING PROCEDURE HINTS

 1. Visual Inspection ------ Check for good condition.

 2. Insert O2 Cylinder ------ Fully Charged.

 3. Insert Canister ------ Factory Sealed or 

 Reusable.

 4. Facepiece and ------ Check for good condition.

 Hoses

 5. Low Pressure Pos. Pres. Watch pressure gauge, 

 Warning Pumping activation should sound

 at 1.25 and/or 1.4 mbar.

 6. Inhalation Valve Pos. Pres. Pinch exhalation hose -

Pumping 10 mbar indicated on

 gauge.

 7. Exhalation Valve Neg. Pres. Pinch inhalation hose -

Pumping 10 mbar indicated on

 gauge.

 8. Drain Valve Pos. Pres. Pump until 10 mbar is

Pumping indicated on gauge.

Fit sealing cap over tappet

 of relief valve as bag

 inflated.

Drain valve must not

 open at 10 mbar.

 9. Leak Test Leak Test Reduce Pres. to 7 mbar

 pressure should not

 change by more than

 1 mbar in 1 minute.

10. Relief Valve Pos. Pres. Pump until relief valve

Pumping opens. 

Opening pressure should

 lie between 2 & 5 mbar.

(Alternate Relief Valve Test, can be performed after Step 13.)
78

TESTER

STEP SETTING PROCEDURE HINTS

11. Constant Metering Pos. Pres. Open O2 cylinder. Inflate

Pumping breathing bag.

Fit sealing cap over

 tappet of relief valve.

Dosage Constant metering

.05 - 2 L/min dosage should lie

 between 1.5 and 

 1.9 L/min.

12. Minimum Valve Neg. Pres. Pump slowly until

Pumping minimum valve is 

 opening. 

Minimum Valve should

 open between 0.1 and

 2.5 mbar.

13. Bypass Valve Leak Test Press red button. 

Breathing bag inflates.

 (Alternate Relief Valve Test) Observe reading on Rz,

 relief valve should open

 between 2 and 5 mbar.

14. Low Close cylinder valve.

Pressure Warning sounds at 700 

Warning psi.

15. Battery If Failing:

Check Alarm sounds 5 times.

 Red indicator flashes

 for 30 sec.

 Bat is displayed.

(Note – Battery check is performed when shutting off the sentinel by observing the indicator. Black battery is sufficient, battery indicator with “1” indicates four (4) hours left on battery, 

and “2” means change battery immediately.)
79

PROCEDURES FOR “HIGH PRESSURE LEAK TEST”

For the Draeger BG-4 with Monitron (CCr/OCr Test):

 a. The oxygen cylinder must be full, i.e. the charging 

pressure must be greater than 2600 psi/165 bar.

 b. Open the oxygen cylinder valve. CCr (Close Cylinder) 

will appear on the display unit approximately 3 seconds 

after opening the cylinder valve and successful 

completion of the battery test.

 c. As soon as the display disappears: close the cylinder 

valve.

 d. After approximately 35 seconds if the apparatus is 

O.K.:

 i. Alarm sounds once

 ii. Green indicator flashes

iii. OCr (Open Cylinder) is displayed, i.e. open 

cylinder valve.

 e. The high-pressure leak test has been completed 

successfully.

i. Keep cylinder valve closed

The “automatic battery test” is performed, before 

switching off.

 f. Afterward, attach the facepiece to the hoses and the 

unit is now in a “ready to use” condition.

For the Draeger BG-4 with Sentinel:

 a. The oxygen cylinder must be charged to at least 2600 

psi, otherwise the Sentinel will not carry out the test.

 b. Open the oxygen cylinder valve. The icon “Close 

cylinder valve” appears on the display, the backlight 

is on, and a double alarm beep sounds when the 

pressure is greater than 2600 psi/165 bar.

 c. Close the cylinder valve.

 d. After 15 seconds when the BG-4 is O.K.:

The icon “Open cylinder valve” appears on the display, 

the backlight is on, and the countdown process of the 

bar graph continues. The high pressure leak test has 

been passed successfully. 

 e. Keep the cylinder valve closed.

Remove the sealing cap. Wait until the Sentinel shows 

0 psi/0bar pressure.
80

 f. Replace the sealing cap on the plug-in coupling.

 g. Switching off the Sentinel

 i. Simultaneously press the right and the left 

hand button until a sharp audible “bleep” 

sounds.

 ii. Release buttons.

 iii. For 3 seconds the Sentinel shows the battery

status.

 iv. Sentinel switches off.

 h. Afterward, attach the facepiece to the hoses and the 

unit is now in a “ready to use” condition. 
81

PROCEDURES FOR GETTING UNDER OXYGEN 

DRAEGER BG-4 BREATHING APPARATUS 

Procedures for getting under oxygen:

 1. Prior to donning the apparatus, make sure a filled 

cylinder, a fresh soda lime pack, and an ice block 

for the breathing air cooler are installed. Don the 

apparatus and adjust the harness and belt.

 2. Don the facepiece by spreading the head harness 

with hands; put chin into chin support and pull 

harness over the head. Tighten the chin straps 

first, then the temple straps, and then the top 

head strap. The facepiece must be sufficiently 

tight on the face to prevent leakage of the 

breathing air which could shorten the duration of 

the apparatus.

 3. Open cylinder valve fully.

 4. Check the digital pressure gauge to see that a 

sufficient oxygen supply remains. The green LED 

light should be displayed. Press the by-pass valve 

to check the by-pass valve operation.

 5. Check the facepiece tightness by tightly closing 

both breathing hoses and inhaling. The facepiece 

should collapse against the face, indicating there 

are no leaks.

 6. Each team member and apparatus should be 

rechecked by the team captain. The team captain 

and apparatus should be rechecked by a team 

member. 

Items to be checked prior to going underground 

and at 20 minute intervals:

 1. Visually check apparatus.

 2. Check pressure gauge.

 3. Question member as to member’s ability to 

continue. 
82

TECHNICIAN TEAM COMPETITION

BIOMARINE BIOPAK 240R/240S

BREATHING APPARATUS
83

TECHNICIAN TEAM COMPETITION

BIOMARINE CHECKS/PROBLEM DIAGNOSIS

BIOPAK 240R

Judges’ Scorecard

Team No. _______________

Technician(s) _____________

Company ________________ 

Problems Found Corrected

Bug _________

Bug _________

Bug _________

Bug _________

Bug _________

Bug _________

Summary of Discounts

Required check not performed: 

 5 discounts x ______ = ______

Checks out of order: 

 5 discounts (total) _______

Deficiency (bug) not found: 

 15 discounts x ______ = ______

Deficiency (bug) not corrected:

 5 discounts x ______ = ______

Sucking/Blowing Valves: 

 10 discounts x ______ = ______

Apparatuses not “Ready for Use”: 

 5 discounts (total) ______

Total Discounts _________

Judge _____________________

Judge _____________________

Apparatus Serial #

Test Date

Visual Inspection

Constant Flow Test 

1.6 – 2.4

Low Pressure Leak 

Test

RMS Guage & 

TRIM System 

Check

Plumbing High 

Pressure Leak Test

Ready for Use
84

TECHNICIAN TEAM COMPETITION

BIOMARINE CHECKS/PROBLEM DIAGNOSIS

BIOPAK 240S

Judges’ Scorecard

Team No. _______________

Technician(s) _____________

Company ________________ 

Problems Found Corrected

Bug _________

Bug _________

Bug _________

Bug _________

Bug _________

Bug _________

Summary of Discounts

Required check not performed: 

 5 discounts x ______ = ______

Checks out of order: 

 5 discounts (total) _______

Deficiency (bug) not found: 

 15 discounts x ______ = ______

Deficiency (bug) not corrected:

 5 discounts x ______ = ______

Sucking/Blowing Valves: 

 10 discounts x ______ = ______

Apparatuses not “Ready for Use”: 

 5 discounts (total) ______

Total Discounts _________

Judge _____________________

Judge _____________________

Apparatus Serial #

Test Date

Visual Inspection

Plumbing Leak Test

Constant Flow Test 

1.6 – 2.4

Breathing System 

Leak Test

Ready for Use
85

TECHNICIAN TEAM COMPETITION

BIOMARINE CHECKS/PROBLEM DIAGNOSIS

BIOPAK 240R/240S

Technician Team’s Blank Testing Card

Team No. _______________

Technician(s) _____________

Company ________________ 

Problems Found Corrected

Bug _______

Bug _______

Bug _______

Bug _______

Bug _______

Bug _______

TEST PROCEDURES
86

TESTING PROCEDURE

BIOMARINE BIOPAK 240R

BREATHING APPARATUS

STEP EQUIPMENT PROCEDURE HINTS

 1. Visual Inspection ------ Visually inspect the entire

 BioPak 240R for worn,

 loose or missing parts, 

 and parts that could fail 

 under use.

2. Constant Flow Test Flow Meter Attach the flow meter on 

 to the constant flow line.

Open O2 cylinder valve.

Flow should be 1.6 – 2.4 

 LPM. (+10% at eleva-

 tions above 2000 ft)

3. Low Pressure Leak Test Connect leak test kit/

 Leak Test Kit/Gauge gauge to hoses

Two Test Insert two pressure test 

Keys keys into the holes in the 

 back of the unit and turn 

 1⁄4 turn to lock in place.

Open O2

 cylinder valve,

 depress by-pass to

 inflate chamber.

Close cylinder valve.

Depress by-pass to vent

 internal pressure. 

Vent pressure at test

 fixture until leak test kit/

 gauge reaches 6” - 8” 

 water column. 

Time for one minute, 

 maximum .2” drop.

4. RMS Gauge & Gauge/TRIM Open oxygen cylinder and 

 TRIM System Check RMS observe gauge and 

 TRIM. Listen for alarm 

 horn, observe light 

 sequence (Red, Green, 

 Blue) and verify flashing

 Green.

 5. Plumbing Leak Tec Install fully charged

 High Pressure oxygen cylinder.

 Leak Test Open O2

 cylinder valve.

 

Check each plumbing

 joint with Leak Tec.
87

TESTING PROCEDURE

BIOMARINE BIOPAK 240S

BREATHING APPARATUS

STEP EQUIPMENT PROCEDURE HINTS

1. Visual Inspection ------ Visually inspect the entire

 BioPak 240S for worn, 

 loose or missing parts, 

 and parts that could fail

 under use.

2. Plumbing Tongue Install fully charged

 High Pressure Depressor cylinder (minimum 

 Leak Test Leak Tec 2,700 psi).

Remove breathing

 chamber lid and CO2

 scrubber.

Hold diaphragm away

 from demand valve with

 tongue depressor.

Open O2 cylinder valve.

Check each plumbing

 joint with Leak Tec.

3. Constant Flow Tongue Slip the flowmeter over

 Test Depressor the flow restrictor.

Flow Meter Hold diaphragm away

 from demand valve with

 tongue depressor.

Open O2

 cylinder valve.

Flow should be 1.6 – 2.4 

 LPM.(+10% at elevations

 above 2,000 feet)

4. Breathing Leak Test Connect leak test fixture

 System Leak Fixture to hoses.

 Test Pressure Insert pressure test key

Test Knob into the hole in the back

 of the unit and turn 

 1⁄4 turn to lock in place.

Open O2

 cylinder valve, 

 depress by-pass to

 inflate balloon. Close 

 cylinder valve, depress 

 by-pass to vent internal

 pressure.
88

4. Breathing Vent pressure at test 

 System Leak fixture until balloon 

 Test (continued) reaches approximately 

 45 degree. 

Time for two minutes

 looking for significant

 drop in balloon pressure.
89

PROCEDURES FOR “HIGH PRESSURE LEAK TEST”

For the BioPak 240R:

a. Hold the pneumatic gauge in one hand and turn 

the unit by opening the oxygen cylinder. Verify 

that the pressure gauge reads between 2700 and 

3000 psi.

b. Observe gauge and TRIM light sequence, listen 

for Horn. When the 240R RMS finishes its battery 

test and horn test and then flashes green, the 

contestant may then turn off the oxygen cylinder 

and bleed the unit by depressing the bypass. This 

takes approximately 50-60 seconds to do this test 

due to the gauge line flow restrictor.

c. A successful test is one in which: 1) Oxygen does 

not leak out of the regulator; 2) Gauge goes to 

flow; 3) Proper RMS light sequence which ends 

up with a green light; and 4) Horn goes on and 

off.

d. Bleed the unit properly by depressing the bypass.

e. Afterward, attach the facepiece to the hoses and 

the unit is now in a “ready to use” condition.

For the BioPak 240S:

a. Hold the pressure gauge in one hand and turn 

on the unit by opening the oxygen cylinder. Verify 

that the pressure gauge reads between 2700 and 

3000 psi.

b. Observe gauge and listen for whistle. When the 

gauge reaches full (it takes a BioPak 240S gauge 

to reach full in 50-60 seconds due to the gauge 

in flow restrictor) and the contestant hears the 

whistle, he/she is then OK to turn off the oxygen 

cylinder and bleed the unit by properly depressing 

the bypass.
90

c. A successful test is one in which: 1) Oxygen does 

not leak out of the regulator when the cylinder 

is opened; 2) Gauge goes to full; and 3) Whistle 

goes on and off.

d. Bleed the unit properly by depressing the bypass.

e. Afterward, attach the facepiece to the hoses and 

the unit is now in a “ready to use” condition. 
91

PROCEDURES FOR GETTING UNDER OXYGEN

BIOMARINE BIOPAK 240R BREATHING

APPARATUS

Procedures for getting under oxygen:

Pre-Use Inspection 

1. If apparatus is stored in a ready to use condition, 

Turn-Around Maintenance Tag attached to 

harness (date less than one year old). Before 

donning the apparatus install frozen Ice Canisters, 

wet sponges, secure lid.

2. If apparatus is not stored in a ready to use 

condition, prior to donning the apparatus, 

complete the Turn Around maintenance 

procedures as outlined in the BioPak 240R 

Benchman Instruction Manual, Revision I, wet 

sponges and install the CO2

 absorbent cartridges 

(Cartridges dated within three years). Install a 

frozen Coolant Canister, secure lid. 

Donning, Getting under Oxygen

1. Don the apparatus, tighten shoulder straps, 

buckle and adjust waist strap, connect and adjust 

chest strap.

2. Attach facemask to hose adapter and lock in 

place.

3. Place facemask harness over head, center chin in 

chin cup, hold facemask to face and snug bottom 

(chin) straps first, then the upper (temple) straps, 

and then the top (head) strap (if supplied). A poor 

facemask seal will cause a significant decrease in 

duration.

4. Perform negative pressure check by collapsing 

the inhalation hose and inhaling. If the mask 

collapses in on your face, mask fit is good and 

exhalation valve is OK.
92

5. Perform positive pressure check by collapsing the 

exhalation hose and exhaling. If the mask pushes 

away from face, mask fit is good and inhalation 

valve is OK.

6. Completely open the oxygen cylinder all the way.

7. Inspect Chest gauge minimum 3000 psi and TRIM 

flashing Green. 

8. The team captain should recheck each team 

member and apparatus. A team member should 

recheck the team captain and apparatus.

Items to be checked before going underground 

and at 20-minute intervals.

1. Visually check apparatus.

2. Check chest mounted pressure gauge.

3. Question member as to member’s ability to 

continue.
93

PROCEDURES FOR GETTING UNDER OXYGEN

BIOMARINE BIOPAK 240S BREATHING

APPARATUS

Procedures for getting under oxygen:

Pre-Use Inspection

1. If apparatus is stored in a ready to use condition, 

Turn-Around Maintenance Tag attached to oxygen 

cylinder valve (date less than one year old). 

Before donning the apparatus install frozen Gel 

Tube Insert into cooling canister, secure lid.

2. If apparatus is not stored in a ready to use 

condition, prior to donning the apparatus, 

complete the periodic long term maintenance 

procedures as outlined in the BioPak 240S 

Benchman Instruction Manual, Revision K. Fill 

and install the CO2

 absorbent canister (LimePak 

dated within one year). Install a frozen Gel Tube 

Insert into cooling canister, secure lid. 

Donning, Getting under Oxygen

1. Don the apparatus, tighten shoulder straps, 

buckle and adjust waist strap, connect and adjust 

chest strap.

2. Place facemask harness over head, center chin in 

chin cup, hold facemask to face and snug bottom 

(chin) straps first, then the upper (temple) straps, 

and then the top (head) strap. A poor facemask 

seal will cause a significant decrease in duration.

3. Perform negative pressure check by blocking the 

inhalation port with hand and inhaling. If the mask 

collapses in on your face, mask fit is good and 

exhalation valve is OK.
94

4. Perform positive pressure check by covering the 

exhalation port with hand and exhaling. If mask 

pushes away from face; mask fit is good and 

inhalation valve is OK.

5. Remove hose coupler; connect inhalation hose 

and then exhalation hose to mask. Open oxygen 

cylinder valve fully counterclockwise and back 1⁄2 

turn. Note whistle chirp.

Option: If hoses are connected to the facepiece prior 

to donning.

a. Don facemask as outlined above (item 2).

b. Open cylinder valve fully counterclockwise 

and back 1/4 turn. Note whistle chirp.

c. Perform negative pressure check by pinching 

off the inhalation hose and inhaling. If the 

mask collapses in on your face, mask fit is 

good and exhalation valve is OK.

d. Perform positive pressure check pinching off 

the exhalation hose and exhaling. If mask 

pushes away from face, mask fit is good and 

inhalation valve is OK.

6. Check chest-mounted pressure gauge, 2700 – 

3000 psi within one minute.

7. The team captain should recheck each team 

member and apparatus. A team member should 

recheck the team captain and apparatus.

Items to be checked before going underground 

and at 20-minute intervals.

1. Visually check apparatus.

2. Check chest mounted pressure gauge.

3. Question member as to member’s ability to

continue.
95

TECHNICIAN TEAM COMPETITION

Discount Summary Sheet

Team No.: ______________________________________ 

Company Name: _________________________________

Technician Team: _________________________________ 

Team Equipment Checks/Preparation

 Discounts: ____________

Multi-Gas Instrument Checks/Problem Diagnosis

 Discounts: ____________

Apparatus Checks/Problem Diagnosis

 Discounts: ____________

Written Test Discounts: ____________

 Total Discounts: ___________

 Time to Complete Problem: ___________

 Time Review Completed: ___________

I certify that I have read and reviewed all discounts listed

above.

_______________________ ______________________

 Technician Review Judge

_______________________ ______________________

 Technician Review Judge 
96

FIRST AID COMPETITION

GENERAL RULES

 1. The First Aid team must furnish the basic first aid 

supplies needed to complete the problem unless 

specified by the contest coordinator that the supplies 

will be available at a specific station.

 2. All material used to solve the first aid problem will be 

picked up by the team prior to moving on to their next 

prospective station.

 3. Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and abdominal 

thrusts will only be performed on a manikin.

 4. Any violations of the general rules not covered in the 

discount sheets will result in ten (10) discounts for each 

infraction.

 5. Team members must wear an approved protective hat, 

identification tag, safety shoes, permissible cap lamps, 

self-rescuer, and safety glasses.

 6. ... WARNING ... Any team whose member(s) 

intentionally disturb or destroy any component on a 

competition field will immediately be assessed a 100 

point discount. Repeated offense may result in team 

disqualification at the discretion of the Contest Director.

GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES 

 1. The First Aid Contest will consist of first aid problems 

and a written examination.

 2. One first aid team will be allowed to compete for each 

mine rescue team entered in the Mine Rescue Contest.

 3. The first aid team will consist of three members of the 

mine rescue team.

 4. All first aid team members will attend a briefing while 

in isolation and will remain in isolation until their team 

name is called.

 5. If participating teams need additional help, such as 

transporting or moving a patient, help will be provided 

by contest officials. 

 6. There will be a minimum of two (2) judges at each of 

the first aid stations.
97

 7. Judges will be assigned specific tasks to be scored 

prior to the judging and will record their findings on a 

specific scoring card issued prior to the contest.

 8. Judges must be current in first aid methods and knowledgeable in the station they will be judging.

 9. There will be two (2) separate first aid stations (not 

necessarily in any order).

a. One Rescuer CPR, Artificial Respiration, and 

Foreign Body Airway Obstruction – Adult Victim.

b. Patient assessment, control of bleeding, physical 

shock, wounds, burns, scalds, musculoskeletal 

injuries, and transportation. 

10. When the team receives the first aid scenario the clock 

will be started.

11. Judges must keep an accurate time and record it on 

scoring sheets for tie breaker purposes.

12. Judges will not discuss any first aid problem with 

contestant teams unless there are technical problems.

13. Only judges, contest officials, escorted photographers, 

and news media approved by the contest director will 

be permitted in the first aid stations. A separate area 

will be provided for spectators to observe the teams 

during competition.

14. On the day prior to the contest, a meeting will be 

held to discuss officials’ and judges’ assignments and 

training. All personnel who will be officiating during the 

contest shall attend this meeting.

15. The Ninth Edition of Brady “Emergency Medical 

Responder – First on the Scene” (Chapters: 4, 5, 8, 

9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, and 

26), the published rules, and the interpretations of 

the discount sheets are authorized for reference and 

guidance. 

16. The team will not be permitted to use first aid manuals 

for reference purposes during the problem solving or 

between working stations.

17. If oxygen is required in the treatment of a patient, it may 

be simulated with the use of a mask. No oxygen tank 

will be required.

18. There will be no simulations on the patient. All 

dressings and splints must be placed properly.
98

19. Team members are not allowed to leave the working 

area to obtain materials for the problem.

20. Stimulants will not be given to any patient.

21. When digital pressure is applied to the proper pressure 

point, bleeding will be considered under control and 

acknowledged by the judge.

22. Rough treatment of patient is not allowed.

23. If a tourniquet is required in First Aid problem, do not 

secure tightly.

24. Assistance in treatment from a supposedly unconscious 

patient is not allowed.

25. Teams failing to complete problems at station 2 in the 

specified time will be discounted.

26. A predetermined amount of trophies will be awarded for 

the First Aid Competition based on the best cumulative 

team scores (least amount of discounts). In the event 

of a tie, the first tie breaker will be field scores on 

all stations, the second tie breaker will be scores on 

written test, and the third tie breaker will be total time 

on field scores. The winning teams will be announced 

during the banquet.

WRITTEN TEST

 1. On the day before the contest begins, all written tests 

will be administered in isolation. The team members 

(Nos. 1 – 6) and trainers will be directed to sit at 

separate tables. Persons from the same company or 

organization will also be required to sit apart from each 

other at the designated tables. A separate area will be 

designated for team alternates (Nos. 7 and 8) who wish 

to take the test. Their tests will not count toward their 

cumulative team score.

Note: No wireless communication or electronic device 

will be permitted in isolation or during the written 

testing.

 2. The first aid test will be included at this same time. 

The written test will consist of thirty (30) true/ false and 

multiple choice questions. The questions will be taken 

from the Ninth Edition of Brady “Emergency Medical 

Responder – First on the Scene”, Chapters: 4, 5, 8, 9, 

10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, and 26. The 
99

contestants will be assessed one (1) discount point for 

each incorrect or unanswered question. Any alterations 

to the test questions or answers will be determined to 

be incorrect by the test judge and discounts assessed.

 3. Scoring of the test will be completed by at least two 

qualified judges.

 4. In special circumstances, individual team members 

may be given an oral exam by one or more judges in 

lieu of a written exam. Requests for consideration shall 

be presented to the Contest Director at the time of 

registration. All other team members will take the test at 

the same time. In any case, the judges will not explain 

the meaning of questions, but may explain a word or 

words in the questions.

APPEALS

 1. Upon completion of the examination of the patient by 

the judges at each station, the team will be informed 

of any infractions regarding treatment while at the 

station. The team will be permitted to verbally appeal 

any infractions either with the field judge or the chief 

judge. If not resolved, the chief judge will make the final 

decision until an appeal can be filed by the team.

 2. During the verbal appeal process, all questionable 

splints/dressings must remain intact until the appeal 

is resolved. If any questionable splints/dressings are 

removed or altered by the team prior to being resolved, 

the appeal will not be allowed.

 3. After the scorecards are checked by the scorecard 

examiners, they will be taken to a designated location. 

The team members will have 30 minutes to report to 

this location. At that time, they may examine their 

team’s scorecards for a time not to exceed 20 minutes. 

No protest of the discounts assessed may be given 

to the person in charge of the review; however, the 

team may protest in writing any discount within 30 

minutes after reviewing them. Written appeals are not 

to exceed one page for any discount assessed and will 

be submitted to the First Aid Appeals Committee. All 

appeals will be considered by the committee and their 

decision will be binding and final. 
100

DISCOUNTS

 1. Discounts will not be added to the team score 

once the judges have signed their discount sheets 

following a review with team members. This does not 

preclude changes due to administrative errors or a 

misapplication of a rule.

 2. Teams will not be discounted more than once for any 

one mistake in the same problem where such mistake 

may qualify under more than one discount. Judges will 

confer and assess the highest single discount. 

 3. Teams will be additionally discounted for repetition of 

the same mistakes in the same problem. For example; 

improper bandaging on two separate wounds (2 times 

the appropriate discount), three granny knots (3 times 

the appropriate discount), etc.

 4. Teams will not be discounted for doing more than the 

problem calls for, unless it is detrimental to the patient 

or improper care.

 5. If the discount is not listed on the discount sheet and if 

it is not covered under one of the approved rules of the 

contest, judges will not improvise a discount to cover 

the suspected violation. 
101

FIRST AID COMPETITION

Judges’ Discount Card

Station #1

One Rescuer Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

Rescue Breathing

Foreign Body Airway Obstruction - Unconscious Adult

Team Team

Name: _________________ Number: _______________

Team Members: Captain _______________________

 __________________________

 __________________________

Date: _________________

A. One Rescuer CPR Discounts

(In accordance with the 2012 American Heart Association 

Guidelines)

 1. Not checking accident scene to

ensure personal safety 5 x ___ = ___

 2. Not taking body substance

isolation (BSI) precautions

(glasses, gloves, and CPR barrier) 15 x ___ = ___

 3. Not determining unresponsiveness 1 x ___ = ___

 4. Not checking for breathing 1 x ___ = ___

 5. Not obtaining an Automatic

External Defibrillator (if available) 2 x ___ = ___

 6. Not checking for a pulse

(for at least 5 seconds) 2 x ___ = ___

 7. Not activating 911 1 x ___ = ___

 8. Not exposing patient’s chest 1 x ___ = ___

 9. Improper hand placement

(heel of hand on the center of

patient’s chest between the nipples) 1 x ___ = ___

10. Not providing 30 compressions

initially 1 x ___ = ___

11. Not delivering chest compressions

hard and fast at a rate of

100 per minute 1 x ___ = ___
102

 Discounts

12. Not compressing the chest

at least 2 inches 5 x ___ = ___

13. Not releasing pressure completely

to allow the heart to refill 1 x ___ = ___

14. Not opening the airway after

the initial 30 compressions 1 x ___ = ___

15. Using the head tilt/chin lift

maneuver when a spinal injury

is suspected 1 x ___ = ___

16. Not giving two breaths

between compressions 1 x ___ = ___

17. Not providing two slow breaths

(to allow chest to fall

between breaths) 1 x ___ = ___

18. Not watching the chest rise and

fall with each breath 1 x ___ = ___

19. Interrupting CPR for more than

10 seconds (each) 1 x ___ = ___

20. Not giving artificial respirations

when a carotid pulse is found 4 x ___ = ___

One Rescuer CPR Subtotal _______
103

B. Rescue Breathing Discounts

(In accordance with the 2012 American Heart Association 

Guidelines)

 1. Not checking accident scene to

ensure personal safety 5 x ___ = ___

 2. Not taking body substance

isolation (BSI) precautions

(glasses, gloves, and CPR barrier) 15 x ___ = ___

 3. Not determining responsiveness 1 x ___ = ___

 4. Not calling for help 1 x ___ = ___

 5. Not opening airway 2 x ___ = ___

 6. Using head-tilt/chin lift

maneuver when modified jaw

thrust should be used 2 x ___ = ___

 7. Not assessing breathlessness 1 x ___ = ___

 8. Not checking for carotid pulse

for 5 to 10 seconds 1 x ___ = ___

 9. Not providing rescue breathing

when pulse is found 4 x ___ = ___

10. Not repositioning the head

if initial breaths do not go in 1 x ___ = ___

11. Not giving one breath

every 5 to 6 seconds 2 x ___ = ___

12. Not giving 10 to 12 breaths

per minute 2 x ___ = ___

Rescue Breathing Subtotal ________
104

C. Foreign Body Airway Obstruction –

Adult Victim Discounts

(In accordance with the 2012 American Heart 

Association Guidelines)

 1. Not checking accident scene to

ensure personal safety 5 x ___ = ___

 2. Not taking body substance

isolation (BSI) precautions

(glasses, gloves and CPR barrier) 15 x ___ = ___

 3. Not determining unresponsiveness 1 x ___ = ___

 4. Not checking for breathing 1 x ___ = ___

 5. Not checking for a pulse

(for at least 5 seconds) 2 x ___ = ___

 6. Not activating 911 1 x ___ = ___

 7. Not exposing patient’s chest 1 x ___ = ___

 8. Improper hand placement

(heel of hand on the center of

patient’s chest between the nipples) 1 x ___ = ___

 9. Not providing 30 compressions

initially 1 x ___ = ___

10. Not delivering chest compressions

hard and fast at a rate of

100 per minute 1 x ___ = ___

11. Not compressing the chest

at least 2 inches 5 x ___ = ___

12. Not releasing pressure completely

to allow the heart to refill 1 x ___ = ___

13. Not opening the airway after

the initial 30 compressions 1 x ___ = ___

14. Using the head tilt/chin lift

maneuver when a spinal injury

is suspected 1 x ___ = ___ 

15. Not attempting two rescue breaths 1 x ___ = ___

16. Not checking the airway

for evidence of a foreign object

between compressions 1 x ___ = ___

17. Not providing two slow breaths

(to allow chest to fall in 

between breaths) 1 x ___ = ___
105

 Discounts

18. Not watching the chest rise

and fall with each breath 1 x ___ = ___

19. Interrupting CPR for more

than 10 seconds 1 x ___ = ___

20. Not giving artificial respirations

when a carotid pulse is found 4 x ___ = ___

21. Not continuing CPR

if breaths do not go in 1 x ___ = ___

Foreign Body Airway Obstruction

 – Adult Victim Subtotal _______

Station #1 Total Discounts ________

____________________________________________

Judge

____________________________________________

Judge

____________________________________________

Scorecard Examiner
106

FIRST AID COMPETITION

Judges’ Discount Card

Station #2

Patient Assessment

Control of Bleeding

Physical Shock

Soft-Tissue Injuries and Burns

Musculoskeletal Injuries

Transportation

Team Team

Name: _________________ Number: _______________

Team Members: Captain _______________________

 __________________________

 __________________________

Date: ___________ Time to Complete Problem _________ 

A. Patient Assessment

 Primary Assessment Discounts

 1. Not checking accident scene to

ensure personal safety 5 x ___ = ___

 2. Not taking body substance

isolation (BSI) precautions

(glasses, gloves and CPR barrier) 15 x ___ = ___

 3. Not administering patient

assessment 25 x ___ = ___

 4. Not assessing mental status 1 x ___ = ___

 5. Not calling for help 1 x ___ = ___

 6. Not stabilizing head if spinal

injury is suspected 2 x ___ = ___

 7. Improper moving of patient 5 x ___ = ___

 8. Not assessing airway – using

head-tilt/chin-lift maneuver when

modified jaw-thrust should be

used and visa versa 10 x ___ = ___ 

 9. Not removing visible foreign

substance from mouth 2 x ___ = ___

10. Not assessing breathing - look,

listen, feel 10 x ___ = ___
107

 Discounts

11. Not checking carotid pulse 10 x ___ = ___

12. Improperly checking for a pulse 2 x ___ = ___

13. Not visibly checking for profuse

bleeding - state to judge that you

are looking for bleeding 10 x ___ = ___

14. Not doing primary assessment in

proper sequence 15 x ___ = ___

Secondary Assessment

15. Not examining head (scalp, 

blood in hair, etc.) 2 x ___ = ___

16. Not examining neck 2 x ___ = ___

17. Raising head if spinal injury exists 6 x ___ = ___

18. Not checking chest (placing

hand on chest) 2 x ___ = ___

19. Not gently feeling abdominal area 2 x ___ = ___

20. Not checking pelvic area for injury 2 x ___ = ___

21. Not checking genital area for

obvious injury 2 x ___ = ___

22. Not gently feeling under patient

(lower back) for injury 2 x ___ = ___

23. Not checking lower extremities

for injury 2 x ___ = ___

24. Not checking lower extremities

for paralysis 2 x ___ = ___

25. Not checking upper extremities

for injury 2 x ___ = ___

26. Not checking upper extremities

for paralysis 2 x ___ = ___ 

27. Not checking medic alert

bracelets/necklace 2 x ___ = ___

28. Checking out of order 15 x ___ = ___

29. Work other than taking support

or controlling bleeding during

secondary survey 4 x ___ = ___

Patient Assessment Subtotal _______
108

B. Control of Bleeding Discounts

 1. Not controlling arterial bleeding 20 x ___ = ___

 2. Not applying direct pressure to

control arterial bleeding 20 x ___ = ___

 3. Ineffective indirect pressure 

(off pressure point, etc.) 4 x ___ = ___

 4. Releasing direct or indirect

pressure or elevation before

bleeding is controlled 4 x ___ = ___

 5. Tourniquet - Ineffective application,

improperly applied or loosened

during problem 4 x ___ = ___

 6. Applying tourniquets when not

required 4 x ___ = ___

 7. Not giving any treatment for

internal bleeding 4 x ___ = ___

 8. Bandages improperly applied 

(not entirely covered, wrong

location, method, or position

of knot, etc.) 2 x ___ = ___

 9. Failure to elevate extremity

to control bleeding 2 x ___ = ___

10. Removing or attempting to

replace a dressing that is

applied directly to the wound 2 x ___ = ___

Control of Bleeding Subtotal _______

C. Physical Shock Discounts

 1. Not administering oxygen

per local protocols 2 x ___ = ___

 2. Not keeping patient in supine

position 1 x ___ = ___

 3. Not calming and reassuring

the patient 2 x ___ = ___

 4. Not maintaining a normal

body temperature 1 x ___ = ___
109

 Discounts

 5. Providing fluids or food

to the patient 4 x ___ = ___

 6. Not monitoring ABC’s and

vital signs 4 x ___ = ___

Physical Shock Subtotal _______

D. Soft-Tissue Injuries and Burns Discounts

 1. Not applying dressing for wound

or burn (each) 8 x ___ = ___

 2. Not applying cover dressing 4 x ___ = ___

 3. Not using sterile gauze or sterile

dressing 1 x ___ = ___

 4. Bandages improperly applied (not

entirely covered, wrong location,

method, or position of knot, etc.) 2 x ___ = ___

 5. Failure to place gauze between

fingers, toes, or back of ear

(when required) 2 x ___ = ___

 6. Not properly treating an

impaled object 2 x ___ = ___

 7. Not removing or indicating removal

of clothing from affected area 2 x ___ = ___

 8. Not properly treating an

evisceration 6 x ___ = ___

 9. Not simulating or indicating that

gauze is moist (when required) 2 x ___ = ___

10. Failure to properly treat sucking

chest wound 10 x ___ = ___

11. Not treating injuries in their

proper order (according to

fundamentals) 4 x ___ = ___

12. Not properly treating eye

injuries 1 x ___ = ___

Soft-Tissue Injuries and Burns Subtotal _______
110

E. Musculoskeletal Injuries Discounts

 1. Not rendering any treatment for a

strain or sprain (each infraction) 4 x ___ = ___

 2. Not treating suspected spinal

injury, fracture of pelvis or thigh

(each) (this includes not using a

properly sized cervical collar) 12 x ___ = ___

 3. Not treating fractures other

than (#4) (each) 10 x ___ = ___

 4. Failure to properly treat suspected

skull fracture 2 x ___ = ___

 5. Failure to support fractures /

dislocations until properly splinted 6 x ___ = ___

 6. Not properly treating dislocations

(each) 8 x ___ = ___

 7. Failure to properly splint 2 x ___ = ___

 8. Failure to properly apply padding

where needed 1 x ___ = ___

 9. Failure to check distal circulation

and sensation before and

after splinting 2 x ___ = ___

10. Improperly lifting or rolling of

patient (lifting to knee when patient

has dislocated or fractured hip or

spinal injury) 2 x ___ = ___

11. Failure to apply cold

applications to reduce pain

and swelling 2 x ___ = ___

12. Improperly applied bandages 2 x ___ = ___

13. Improperly applied slings when

required (each) 1 x ___ = ___

Musculoskeletal Injuries Subtotal _______ 
111

F. Preparation for Transportation Discounts

 1. Improper “log roll” 2 x ___ = ___

 2. Patient not placed on a spine

board when required 2 x ___ = ___

 3. Improperly secured to a

spine board or stretcher 1 x ___ = ___

Preparation for Transportation Subtotal _______

 1. Failure to locate and treat any 

condition (each infraction) 10 x ___ = ___

 2. Not completing problem in

specified time 25 (total) ______

 3. Any team whose member(s)

intentionally disturb or destroy any

component on a competition field

will immediately be assessed this

discount. Repeated offense may

result in team disqualification at the 

discretion of the Contest Director. 100 (total) 

______

Station #2 Total Discounts ________

____________________________________________

Judge

____________________________________________

Judge

____________________________________________

Scorecard Examiner
112

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

ACCESSIBLE - Able to be traveled into; not impassable. 

ADIT - A nearly horizontal passage from the surface by

which a mine is entered. 

AIR LOCK - An area in the mine closed at both ends by

two doors or two bulkheads. An air lock is used to

prevent mixing of different atmospheres while still

permitting miners to enter and exit. 

AIR SHAFT - Shaft used exclusively for conducting air.

AIR SPLIT - The division of an air current into two or

more parts.

AIR TRACK DRILL - A heavy drill mounted on crawler

tracks. 

AIRWAY - Any passage through which air is flowing.

ALTERNATE - Person qualifying to participate as a mine

rescue team member. Can replace any team member 

who cannot continue or who is removed from the 

problem.

ASSISTANT - Optional seventh person who may assist

the fresh air base attendant but is not eligible to

substitute for another team member including the fresh

air base attendant. 

ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE -Force exerted by air.

Atmospheric pressure is measured on a barometer. 

AUXILIARY FAN - A small, portable fan used to supplement the ventilation of an individual working place. 

AUXILIARY VENTILATION - Portion of main

ventilating current directed to face of dead-end entry by

means of an auxiliary fan and tubing. 

BACK FILL - The rough material used to refill a place

from which the earth has been removed.

BACK/ROOF - That part of an opening which is nearest

the surface in relation to any portion of the workings of

the mine, the roof. Overhead surface of an 

underground opening.

BACKUP TEAM - The rescue team stationed at the fresh

air base as a “backup” for the working team beyond the

fresh air base. 

BAFFLE - A device used to deflect, check or regulate the

flow of air. 
113

BARRICADE - Enclosed part of mine to prevent inflow of

noxious gases from a mine fire or explosion. This may

be done by doors or by building one or more airtight

walls using any available materials such as rock, wood, 

brattice cloth, mud, clothing, etc., so as to enclose a

maximum quantity of good air. If contact is not made

with person behind the barricade, conditions inside the

barricade will be unknown. 

BARRICADING - Enclosing part of mine to prevent

inflow of noxious gases from a mine fire or an

explosion. 

BATTERY LOCOMOTIVE - Battery powered machine

used for moving cars within the mine. 

BATTERY CHARGING STATION - Area set aside for

charging and storing batteries. 

BATTERY OPERATED EQUIPMENT – Any equipment 

powered by batteries. 

BELT FEEDER - The dump end of a belt system. To

disperse ore on the belt. 

BLASTING BOX - The unit used for firing of one or more

charges electrically. 

BLASTING CAPS - A detonator containing a charge of 

detonating compound, which is ignited by electrical 

current or the spark of a fuse used for detonating 

explosives. 

BOREHOLE - Any deep or long drill hole. It may be a

source of air, supplies and communications in an

emergency. 

BORER - A device for making large holes. 

BRATTICE CLOTH - Fire-resistant fabric or plastic used

in a mine passage to control ventilation. 

BRIEFING -Session held before a team goes underground

to inform team members of conditions underground and

give them their work assignment. 

BULKHEAD (same as STOPPING) - A temporary wall or 

partition constructed across a passageway to direct the 

ventilating air. Can be modified or removed if needed.

BUMP TEST – A functional test, defined as a brief exposure 

of the monitor to a concentration of gas(es) in excess 

of the lowest alarm set-point for each sensor for the 

purpose of verifying sensor and alarm operation and 
114

is not intended to be a measure of the accuracy of the 

instrument.

CAGE - A shaft conveyance used in hoisting personnel

and materials. 

CAVED - Ground which has fallen. 

CAVED IMPASSABLE - For the duration of the problem, 

a cave which is incapable of being passed, traveled, 

crossed, or surmounted, but allows some ventilation 

flow. 

CAVED TIGHT - Ground caved in to prevent access and

allows no ventilation flow. 

CHOCKS - Wedge shaped blocks to put under vehicle

wheels to prevent movement. 

CHUTE/ORE PASS - Vertical or inclined passageway for

downward movement of ore.

CLEAR AIR - An atmosphere which is free of smoke and all 

dangerous and/or harmful concentrations of flammable, 

combustible, noxious, and or toxic contaminants.

CONTINUOUS MINER - A mining machine designed to

remove ore from the face and load it into cars or

conveyors. 

CRIB BLOCKS - Blocks used for support. 

CROSSCUT - A horizontal opening driven across the

direction of the main workings; a connection between

the two drifts or tunnels. 

CURTAIN - Brattice cloth, canvas or plastic curtain used

to deflect or direct air into a working place. Constructed

in a manner to allow the passage of miners and 

machinery. 

CUTTING MACHINE - A power (electric) driven machine 

used to undercut ore. 

DEBRIEFING - Session held when teams return to the

surface after completing an assignment to review what

they saw and did. 

DETONATING FUSE - A round, flexible cord containing

a center core of high explosives (Primacord). 

DETONATOR - A device used for detonating explosives. 

DISTRIBUTION BOX - An enclosure through which

electric power is carried to one or more cables from a

single incoming feed line. 
115

DOWNCAST - An opening through which fresh ventilating

air is drawn or forced into the mine; the intake. 

DRIFT/ENTRY - A passage underground. 

EXHAUST - The air course along which the air of the

mine is returned or conducted to the surface. 

FACE/RIB - Vertical surface of an underground opening. 

FEEDER - Small cracks in rock strata from which gas

escapes. 

FILL - Any material that is put back in place of the

extracted ore. 

FLOOR - That part of any underground opening upon

which one walks. 

FOOTWALL - Lower side of a dipping ore body. 

FRESH AIR BASE - Base of operations from which the

rescue and recovery teams can advance into 

irrespirable atmospheres. 

FRONT-END LOADER - Self-propelled machine used

for moving or loading muck. 

HANGING WALL - Upper side of a dipping ore body. 

HOLE CHARGED - A drilled hole that is charged with

explosives ready to be blasted. 

IMPASSABLE - Incapable of being passed, traveled,

crossed, or surmounted.

INACCESSIBLE AREAS - All areas of the mine where

team travel is blocked by one of the following 

conditions: seals, unsafe roof (rib-to-rib) that cannot be 

supported or scaled, inextinguishable fires, water over 

knee deep, caved impassable falls, or the top of an 

overcast. 

INCLINE/SLOPE - A non-vertical shaft, usually on the

dip of a vein. 

INTAKE - The passage through which fresh air is drawn

or forced into a mine. 

INTENSE HEAT - Air heated to the extent that it cannot

be entered. 

INTERSECTION - For contest work, any area driven 3

feet or more off a drift. 

LAGGING - Materials used for flooring or shoring. 

LEAD WIRE - Wire used to fire electric detonators. 

LIFELINE - Rope, line, or cable that links the team to the

fresh air base. 
116

LINE BRATTICE - Fire-resistant fabric or plastic partition

used in a mine passage to direct the air into the 

working place. Also termed “Line Canvas or Line 

Curtain.” 

LOADING MACHINE - A machine to load broken ore or

rock. 

LONG HOLE DRILL - A drill using sectional steel to

drill holes to greater depths. 

LOOSE BACK - Unstable overhead surface which must

be controlled before entry. 

LOOSE RIB - Unsupported loose ground on the side of

the drift. 

MAGAZINE - A storage place for explosives or for

detonators. 

MANDOOR - Door installed in a permanent stopping

(bulkhead) to allow persons to travel from one drift to

another. 

MANHOLE - A refuge hole constructed in the side of a

drift. 

MANTRIP - A trip on which personnel are transported to

and from a work area. 

MINE DOOR - A large, hinged door used to close off a

mine entry.

MISFIRE - The complete or partial failure of a blasting

charge to explode as planned. 

MOTOR - Machine usually on a track used for tramming

ore or supplies. 

MULTI-GAS INSTRUMENT - Gas detector capable of

continuously and simultaneously measuring 

atmospheric concentrations of oxygen (O2

), methane 

(CH4

), carbon monoxide (CO) and at least one other 

toxic gas (e.g. nitrogen dioxide -NO2

). 

ORE PASS - A vertical or inclined passage for the

downward transfer of ore. 

OVERCAST - Enclosed airway built at an intersection of

mine passages that permits one air current to pass over

another air current without mixing. 

PERMANENT STOPPING (same as PERMANENT

BULKHEAD) – For the duration of the problem, 

a ventilation control which cannot be removed or 

modified.
117

PERMISSIBLE - A machine, material, apparatus or

device which has been investigated, tested and 

approved by MSHA for use in gassy mines. 

PILLAR - A column of ore or rock left in place. 

POST - A mine timber. 

RAISE - A vertical or inclined opening driven upward. 

RAISE CLIMBER - Equipment used in an opening (raise) 

that is mined upward. 

REFUGE CHAMBER - An airtight, fire-resistant room

in a mine used as a method of refuge in emergencies 

by miners unable to reach the surface. 

REGULATOR - An adjustable door or opening in a

stopping, used to control and adjust the quantity of

airflow. 

RETURN AIR - The air that has passed through the 

working areas of the mine. 

RIB - The wall of a mine opening. 

ROOF BOLTER - A machine designed to drill holes in

the roof and install bolts. 

ROOF BOLTS/ROCK BOLTS - A long bolt inserted and

anchored in holes drilled in the rock. 

ROOF JACKS - A roof support designed for immediate

temporary use. 

SCALING BAR - Tool with a flat point and a heel used to

pry in a crack of the rock. 

SEAL - A stopping built of greater thickness and more

substantial construction used to isolate abandoned 

areas of the mine from the active workings or to isolate 

a fire. 

SHAFT - A vertical opening of limited area compared with

its depth, made for finding or mining ore, raising ore,

rock or water, hoisting and lowering workers and

materials, or ventilating underground workings. 

SKIP - A hoisting bucket, which slides between guides in a

shaft. 

SLUSHER/SCRAPER - A machine for transferring or

loading rock by pulling an open bottomed scoop back

and forth from the face to the loading point by means of

a drum hoist, cables and sheaves. 

SPLIT - To divide the air current in two or more separate

currents. 
118

STOPE - An excavation in a mine, other than development

workings, made for the purpose of extracting ore. 

STOPER - A pneumatic hammer drill used for drilling

upward. 

STOPPING (same as BULKHEAD) - A temporary wall or 

partition constructed across a passageway to direct the 

ventilating air. Can be modified or removed if needed.

STULL/PROP - Column of wood or steel used for support

of underground openings. 

SUMP - An excavation in the shaft or mine made below

the mining level to collect mine water. 

SUPPLY PLATFORM - Area set aside for storage of

materials. 

SURVIVOR - Person found alive in the mine.

SWITCH - An electrical switch.

TAGLINE - Short line no longer than 3 feet hooked from

a team member to the team line. 

TEAM LINE - Line that links team members together

(extension of lifeline). 

TIMBER SET - Tunnel support consisting of a roof beam

or arch and two posts. 

TYING ACROSS AND BEHIND - Systematic exploration of 

all intersecting and adjacent passageways so that the 

team is never forward (toward the working face) of an 

accessible, unexplored area. 

UNDERCAST - An enclosed airway built at an intersection 

of mine passages that permits one air current to pass

under another air current without mixing. 

UPCAST - The opening through which the return air is

removed from the mine. The opposite of downcast or 

intake. 

VENT BAG - An enclosed airway to direct airflow to a

given area or location. 

WINZE - An opening, like a small shaft, sunk from an

interior point in a mine. 

WORKING PLACE - Any place in or about a mine where

work is being performed.
119

MINE MAP LEGEND

This legend must be used by all teams participating in the

Mine Rescue Field Competition.

Gas Test For each gas test conducted.

Seal If the seal is equipped with devices 

such as sampling tubes or water 

traps, or is damaged, leaking, or 

destroyed, that particular device 

or condition is noted beside the 

symbol. 

Permanent 

Stopping

Intact

Stopping is intact, airtight. (No 

indication of opening or leakage.) 

Permanent 

Stopping 

Not Intact

Stopping may be destroyed, 

partially destroyed, or have 

openings. Is not airtight. Condition 

noted on placard is to be shown 

on map beside symbol. 

Temporary

Stopping

Intact

Stopping is intact and airtight. This 

symbol is used for all structures 

built by the team, such as airlocks, 

etc. 

Temporary

Stopping

Not Intact

Stopping may be destroyed, 

partially destroyed, or have 

openings. Is not airtight. Condition 

noted on placard is to be shown 

on map beside symbol. 

Barricade Any information on placard, such 

as leaking, damaged, destroyed, 

etc. shall be noted on mine map 

beside symbol. 
120

Door The “D” symbol can be shown by 

itself, in permanent or temporary 

stopping. Type, size, and open 

or not if indicated on placard, 

must be indicated on map 

beside symbol. The curve of the 

“D” indicates direction of door 

opening. 

Regulator If the regulator is damaged, 

leaking, or destroyed, condition 

must be shown on map. Also, 

indicate whether open (how 

much), or closed. 

Fire Write out any information given on 

placard about fire on map beside 

symbol. 

Air 

Movement

Show arrow in direction of 

movement as indicated on placard 

and, if given, record any other 

information (such as air quantity, 

airflow velocity, etc.). Put on map 

beside symbol. 

Water Indicate depth or any other 

information as shown on placard. 

Put on map beside symbol. 

Caved Caved areas are not considered 

airtight unless so stated on 

placard. Write out any information 

on placard beside symbol on map. 

Unsafe 

Roof 

Across 

Entry Ribto-Rib

Symbol used for any indication of 

questionable roof conditions. May 

or may not be scalable. Write out 

any other information on placard 

on map beside symbol. 
121

Unsafe 

Roof 

Partially 

Across 

Entry 

Symbol used for any indication of 

questionable roof conditions. May 

or may not be scalable. Write out 

any other information on placard 

on map beside symbol. 

Unsafe Rib 

or Overhanging 

Brow 

Symbol used for any indication of 

questionable rib conditions. May 

or may not be scalable. Project 

over rib line area on map. Write 

out any other information on 

placard on map beside symbol. 

Body Indicate position of head and feet 

as body is found. If word “body” is 

on placard, show symbol. Indicate 

any additional information on 

placard on map beside symbol. 

Live 

Person

Indicate position of head and feet 

as found. Write out condition, 

such as conscious, walking, etc. 

Indicate any injuries as given on 

placard. Write out information on 

map beside symbol. 

Check 

Curtain

Condition of check, if noted on 

placard, must be shown on mine 

map beside symbol. Ex. “Partially 

down” 

Line 

Brattice 

or Line 

Curtain 

The full extent of curtain shall be 

shown. If the curtain is partially or 

completely down, it must be noted 

on the map beside the symbol. 

Overcast If it is damaged, leaking, or 

destroyed, that particular condition 

is to be noted on the map beside 

the symbol. 
122

Undercast If it is damaged, leaking, or 

destroyed, that particular condition 

is to be noted on the map beside 

the symbol. 

Fan Write out the conditions of the 

fan, and any other information 

indicated on placard, on the map 

beside the symbol. 

Fan with 

Tubing 

Write out the conditions of the fan, 

tubing, vent bag or placard on the 

map by symbol. 

Brattice 

Frames

Indicate any information on 

placard on mine map beside 

symbol. 

Brattice 

Cloth or 

Brattice 

Material 

Indicate any information on 

placard on mine map beside 

symbol. 

Gas 

Mixture 

Use for any placard indicating 

a gas or a mix of gases in the 

mine atmosphere. Write out the 

gas name or symbol and indicate 

PPM or percent (%) if shown on 

placard. 

Smoke Write out light, heavy, dense, or 

any other information indicated 

on placard on map beside the 

symbol. 

Elongated 

Object 

For use in indicating pipelines, 

cables, and other objects usually 

found that are of any length. Do 

not use for cable coiled, etc. Write 

out any other information about 

object on map beside symbol.

Track Write out any information noted on 

placard on map beside symbol.
123

Mobile 

Equipment 

Use for all mobile face equipment. 

Write out any other information 

given on placard on map beside 

symbol on map. 

50 Foot or 

First Team 

Check 

Inby Fresh 

Air Base 

Used for 50 foot check of team 

members. 

20 Minute 

Apparatus 

Check 

Used for every 20-minute 

apparatus check of team 

members. 

Farthest 

Point of 

Advance 

Should be used only where areas 

inby will not be explored for 

whatever reason. Not to be used 

where other conditions block 

travel. 

Captain’s 

Date and 

Initial 

Use for all locations where the 

team captain dated and wrote his 

initials. 

Power 

Center

Self explanatory -Write out any 

information noted on placard. 

Other 

Objects, 

Conditions, 

or 

Equipment 

Write the name of the object, 

condition, or equipment and other 

information indicated by placard 

on map beside the symbol. This 

would include a “face” if marked 

by a placard. 

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