The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1911-08-12
Mine RESCUE
WORK EXPLAINED
FEDERAL BUREAU OF MINES HAS
REGULAR COURSE OF
TRAINING.
MINERS CIRCULAR NO.4
TO BE SUCCESSFUL A PARTY
MUST TAKE EVERY
PREcAUTiON."
Western Newspaper Union News Service.

Western Newspaper Union News Service
Washington, D. C.-With the rapid
development of mine rescue work IN
the United States in the last two
years and the increasing use or the
mine-breathlng apparatus there mas
come to the Federal Bureau or Mines
demand for information concerning
this apparatus and how it should be
properly used. In response the Bu-
reau of Mines has issued Miners Cir
cular No. A. on THE Use and Care OF
Mine-Rescue Breathing Apparatus by
James w. Paul. who has general
charge of the rescue work. Mr.. Paul
makes the statement that the use OF
such apparatus for rescue work IN
mines is no longer an experiment, but
has become an important factor in les
sening loss of life and property from
fires and explosions.
The circular describes the various
types of apparatus used by the bureau
and gives careful instruction as to the
care of this apparatus.
Mr.. Paul says: mine men twenty
two to forty-five years old, in good
physical condition who are temperate
in their habits and naturally calm and
deliberate are best suited for mine
rescue work Before man under
goes training in the use of breathing
apparatus he should be examined by
physician to ascertain his physical
condition, especially the action OF his
heart and lungs and any defects OF
the nose or throat. Unless man has
a physicians certificate stating that
his physical condition is good, he
should not be permitted to take res
cue training nor TO attempt rescue
work in mine.
"A rescue party should have not
less than five, and better not less
than six members. Only such persons
should be allowed to join the party as
have already been trained in the use
Of the apparatus and are equipped
with rescue apparatus in good order
and have agreed to follow the direc-
tions of the leader.
"To be efficient and successful
party must take every precaution for
its own safety. If one person in
party faints Or receive an injury he
becomes a burden instead of help.
"a relief station or base OF opera
tions should be established at the end
Of the god air and relief crew with
knapsacks should be stationed there
ttduy W put oll lhCil aPpaioeuo oAN
start at a moments notice.
"At each large mine there should
be at least four crews. two outside and
two inside crews, each of six men, in
cluding a captain and lieutenant.
and these crews should have practice
once a week.
while working in dense smoke the
members of a crew should hold rope
which leads to fresh air.
"In case of total failure Of an appa-
ratus to supply breathable air, the
wearer of the apparatus can throw
away all parts but the oxygen cylin-
der, and breathe from the cylinder
through his mouth while endeavoring
to reach fresh a. with the rest of the
crew
Apparatus for giving oxygen to one
who has ben overcome with gases Is
an essential part of the equipment of
rescue party.
"a telephone helmet is a conven-
ience for shaft work. and its presence
lends much confidence to a rescue par
ty. Electric lamps, safety lamps, gas
analysis apparatus, thermometers, a
pocket compass, and a map Of the
mine are necessary.
"At each training station a record
should be kept showing the work done
by the men and the difficulties en-.
countered. If an apparatus fails to
give proper service it should be sub
jected to the regular tests.
"The United States Bureau Of Mines
has established a regular course of
training in the use of mine-rescue
breathing apparatus. This training is
designed to give miners or other per
bod fpir, In
edge of breathing apparatus in gener-
al, and a confident familiarity with
those types of apparatus that are most
apt to be used in this country.
"The purpose of the Bureau OF Mines
In establishing this system of train
Ing is to facilitate investigative work
within mines in which disasters have
occurred, and to make mine owners
and miners acquainted with the value
OF breathing apparatus for rescue op-
erations after mine disasters 1t is
hoped that, as result of this work by
the federal government in the near
future, men familiar with such appa-
ratus will be scattered throughout the
coal-mining centers of the country.
After disaster, valuable time is oft
en- lost in training men at the mine.
Furthermore, man can not work eff
ficiently unless he has thorough con-
fidence in the apparatus. To give a
man this confidence, the course of
training has been planned in such a
way that he must do work in poison
Gus or unbreathable gases for periods
OF one and two hours at time"
American Consul Henry S. Culver
wrote from Cork year ago that $7O,-
O0n.O00 is invested in the Inon In