The Goldfield news and weekly tribune. [volume] (Goldfield, Nev.) 1911-1947, 1919-10-11
EXPERT DISCUSSES
Continued from Page one)


vided into two types as regards the
length of time the apparatus will
furnish pure air on one charging;
these are the half-hour type, prin-
cipally used on vessels or where
men are only exposed to dangerous
atmosphere for short periods OF
time, and the two-hour type which
is the kind used in mines. In mine
rescue and recovery work the ap-
paratus weare may have to travel
considerable distances from his
base and two hours has been adopt
ed as the maximum period of serv-
ice compatible with lightness and
convenience of portability. Only
the t~worhour type is considered in
this paper.
In the United States there has
been a steady growth in the use of
breathing apparatus by the mining
industry. AS with man. other new
devices when they first appear mine
operators and owners were at first
decidedly skeptical as to the merits
of the apparatus. However, owing
to the progressive spirit of numer-
Gus operators, both coal and metal,
the ingenuity of apparatus manufac-
turers, and persistent effort of the
bureau of mines, a more intelligent
understanding of the use and limi-
tations of the apparatus has been
attained.
AS a result of the combined eff
forts of those appreciating the ne
cessity for such a device for safely
penetrating noxious atmosphere, a
tremendous impetus has been given
to it's use in the mining industry.
especially within the last three or
four years.
I believe that all of you will
agree that the apparatus occupies
an essential and permanent posi-
ton in the mining industry, so it
does not cen necessary at this time
to point out instances where lives
have been saved directly by the use
of the apparatus, Or to give even
approximately the figures showing
the value Of the vast amount of
property saved to the nation annu-
ally.
Today there is not a mining dis
trict in the United States that ran-
not on short notice in time of dis
aster obtain the services of trained
men equipped with apparatus either
from state or privately owned res
cue stations or from the bureau of
mines. Most of the larger COM
panies also have rescue equipment
and organized safety crews.
On account of the constantly in
creasing demand for apparatus
training, the bureau of mines has
some time appreciated the necessity
for a standardized course of such
training.
Thorough and systematic train
ing are essential to insure the safe
and economic use of the apparatus.
Such training can best be insured
through standardization of training
methods. AS a result of a stand
ardized course, it is believed that
more attention will be paid to the
selection of the proper type of men
for rescue crews, efficiency will be
increased, and higher appreciation
of the value of the apparatus will
result.
The reasons for Standardization
are, in fact, so obvious that 1t
hardly seems necessary to dwell
further on this phase of the SUBJ
ject. 1t might be mentioned, how
ever, that there are two essential
reasons, in addition to those already
mentioned, for such Standardization.
C)i 1t lis the policy of the bureau
of mines, upon request, to give a
thorough examination to men
trained either at privately or state
owned rescue station, with a view
of qualifying them for mine rescue
certificates issued by the federal
government. A standard course of
training would most a%ssuredly be
tremendously advantageous to both
the examiner and the examined.
CD Trained men going from n
mine to another mine would be de-
cidedly at a disadvantage when
called upon to wear apparatus, as
Stunning that the men at each mine
instruction. This would <hold true
even though their training had been
with the same type of apparatus. As
an illustration, it has been known
20 canrr that whoro Nna ncfrnnfn