MINE RESCUE ACTIVITY
BOOK – Section IV
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MSHA 2208
NOVEMBER 1981
JUNE 2005
Northern Mine Rescue
Association
Activity 12 – Using an Air Lock to
rescue a Survivor - Level 2
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Purpose: The team will practice carrying
out a rescue assignment that requires
using an airlock.
Type: Underground work problem.
Activity 12 – Using an Air Lock to
rescue a Survivor - Level 2
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Materials:
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Foam generator
Apparatus
Team Equipment
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Fresh air base equipment
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Gas detectors
map and mapboard
Communication equipment
Stretcher and blanket
First aid kit
Scaling bar
Extra approved apparatus
Communication equipment
Map
Placards for indicating fir and smoke conditions
Tools for building bulkhead
Activity 12 – Using an Air Lock to
rescue a Survivor - Level 2
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Arrangements:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Arrange to use a a refuge chamber as the barricaded areas.
(If you do not have a refuge chamber, a bulkhead with a
man door could be used as the barricade.) Otherwise, you
will have to have a barricade built in preparation for this
activity.
Arrange for someone to play the role of the uninjured
survivor.
Set up a simple fresh air base a distance from the
barricaded area.
Have someone stay at the fresh air base to handle
communications from the team.
Also, have someone at the fresh air base serve as the
communication line, or cable attendant.
Prepare copies of a map of the barricaded area.
Activity 12 – Using an Air Lock to
rescue a Survivor - Level 2
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Description:
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Have the team or benchman prepare the apparatus. When ready,
the team should report to you with their apparatus and equipment.
Give the team’s mapman a map showing the barricade and the
route of travel to it.
Tell the team that the area has been explored. The team’s job
therefore is to go in, put in a airlock and bring out any survivors
found behind the barricade.
The captain should then lead the team to the fresh air base, have
the team members check their equipment and get under oxygen.
When the team is ready, let them begin their assignment. You
should accompany them to observe and evaluate their
performance. The individuals staying at the fresh air base should
stand by ready to perform their duties.
Debrief the team when they return.
Activity 12 – Using an Air Lock to
rescue a Survivor - Level 2
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Evaluation
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Use the following checklist to aid you in
evaluating the team’s performance. Be
sure to list and discuss any problems the
team encountered.
Activity 12 - Evaluation
Activity 12
Using a Air Lock to Rescue Survivors
Level 2
Evaluation – 12-A
A. Briefing
1. Did team members ask appropriate questions for the problem?
2. Did team members review the map?
Comments/Problems:
Recommendations for future training:
Activity 12 - Evaluation
Activity 12
Using a Air Lock to Rescue Survivors
Level 2
Evaluation – 12-B
B. Preparing to Begin Work
1. Were required checks performed on the apparatus?
2. Were all members fit to go under O2?
3. Was all team equipment checked?
Comments/Problems:
Recommendations for future training:
Activity 12 - Evaluation
Activity 12
Using a Air Lock to Rescue Survivors
Level 2
Evaluation – 12-C
C. Team and Apparatus Check
1. Did captain check team and apparatus before leaving the fresh air base?
2. Did captain make a first check as soon after leaving the fresh air base?
3. Did captain provide a reasonable number of rest stops for the team?
4. Were team and apparatus checks made at each rest stop?
5. Was oxygen supply or timer of each apparatus checked at each rest stop?
6. (For McCaa apparatus only)
Was apparatus purged at each rest stop?
Comments/Problems:
Recommendations for future training:
Activity 12 - Evaluation
Activity 12
Using a Air Lock to Rescue Survivors
Level 2
Evaluation – 12-D
D. Traveling Procedures
1. Did team travel in proper order?
2. Did any team members travel on bad ground?
Comments/Problems:
Recommendations for future training:
Activity 12 - Evaluation
Activity 12
Using a Air Lock to Rescue Survivors
Level 2
Evaluation – 12-E
E. Constructing Airlock
1. Was necessary ground testing done before putting up the airlock?
2. Was the site prepared properly?
3. Were building materials transported efficiently?
4. Did team construct a satisfactory air lock? (If not, what was wrong with it?)
Comments/Problems:
Recommendations for future training:
Activity 12 - Evaluation
Activity 12
Using a Air Lock to Rescue
Survivors
Level 2
Evaluation – 12- F
F. Dealing with Survivors
1. Did team try to establish verbal contact with survivor quickly?
2. Did team keep one opening of air lock closed at all times?
3. Did team respond to needs of survivor properly? (If not, what should they
have done?)
4. Did team transport survivor safely and efficiently?
Comments/Problems:
Recommendations for future training:
Activity 12 - Evaluation
Activity 12
Using a Air Lock to Rescue Survivors
Level 2
Evaluation – 12-G
G. Communications
1. Did captain and co-captain communicate clearly?
2. Did team members properly respond to all signals and directions?
3. Were all significant findings reported to the fresh air base?
4. Were communications with the fresh air base clear and understandable?
5. Did team communicate to the fresh air base frequently enough?
Comments/Problems:
Recommendations for future training:
Activity 12 - Evaluation
Activity 12
Using a Air Lock to Rescue Survivors
Level 2
Evaluation – 12-H
H. Mapping
1. Did team mapman note all important findings correctly on map?
2. Do the team map and the fresh air base map correlate with each other?
Comments/Problems:
Recommendations for future training:
Activity 12 - Evaluation
Activity 12
Using a Air Lock to Rescue Survivors
Level 2
Evaluation – 12-I
I. Debriefing
1. Did team make thorough report on their findings?
2. Did team go over map during the debriefing?
Comments/Problems:
Recommendations for future training:
Activity 13 – Determining Hazards and
Procedures in a Recovery Operation – Level 1
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Purpose: The team will practice
assessing post disaster conditions to
determine the hazards present and the
procedures that should be followed in
carrying out the recovery work.
Type: Classroom discussion.
Activity 13 – Determining Hazards and
Procedures in a Recovery Operation
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Materials:
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Level or section map showing post disaster
conditions (use the one provided or make
your own.)
Activity 13 – Determining Hazards and
Procedures in a Recovery Operation
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Arrangements:
1.
Give team a copy of a level or section map
showing past disaster conditions and, if
possible, project the map as an overhead
transparency or as a PowerPoint
projection.
Activity 13 – Determining Hazards and
Procedures in a Recovery Operation
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Description:
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Describe the recovery situation to the
team. (You can use the sample provided
below as a guide.) Also, give the team a
map depicting the situation.
Ask the team to discuss the hazards of the
situation and what procedures they would
follow in carrying out their assignment.
Activity 13 – Determining Hazards and
Procedures in a Recovery Operation
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Sample Recovery Situation (Single level
mine)
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Because efforts to fight the fire directly
have failed, an area of a mine has been
sealed. The plan is now to reopen the
sealed area by means of progressive
ventilation. Recent air samples indicated no
traces of CO in the sealed area and a low
oxygen level.
Activity 13 – Determining Hazards and
Procedures in a Recovery Operation
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Sample Recovery Situation (Single level
mine)
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Look now at the map. Another rescue team
has already put up a air lock in No. 4
Entry. Your team’s assignment is to go in,
explore, and assess conditions. Be sure to
check all entries and crosscuts and tie-in as
you go. Do not advance any farther than
two break through’s.
Activity 13 – Determining Hazards and
Procedures in a Recovery Operation
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Sample Recovery Situation (Single
level mine)
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What hazards might you encounter as
you explore the area?
How would you advance and what tests
should you make as you advance?
What conditions should you be reporting
on?
How many bulkheads are needed to
reseal the unexplored area and where
should the bulkheads be placed?
Activity 13 – Determining Hazards and
Procedures in a Recovery Operation
Answers to Sample Recovery Situation
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The hazards the team might encounter
are:
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Toxic or explosive gases
Weakened ground conditions (because of the
heat from the fire).
Hot spots or smoldering material (These
could flare up into fires or cause a gas
ignition).
Activity 13 – Determining Hazards and
Procedures in a Recovery Operation
Answers to Sample Recovery Situation
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The team should tie-in all entries and
crosscuts and take temperature readings,
test the back and sides and test for gases
as they advance. You may wish to have
the team describe in exactly what order
they would explore the entries and
crosscuts.
Activity 13 – Determining Hazards and
Procedures in a Recovery Operation
Answers to Sample Recovery Situation
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The team should report on:
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Gas conditions
Ground conditions
The condition of all ventilation controls
The condition of any power lines,
communication lines, or air or water lines in
the area.
Eight bulkheads are needed to reseal the
unexplored area. See the maps below for
placement of bulkheads
Sample Situation Map
Sample Situation Map
Sample Situation Map
Activity 12 – Using an Air Lock to
rescue a Survivor - Level 2
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Evaluation
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Use the following checklist to aid you in
evaluating the team’s performance. Be
sure to list and discuss any problems the
team encountered.
Activity 13 - Evaluation
Activity 13
Determining Hazards and Procedures in Recovery Operation
Level 1
Evaluation – 13
Did team:
1. Identify all possible hazards?
2. Indicate all tests the team should make?
3. Indicate all reports they should make concerning conditions?
4. Describe the procedures they would follow to carry out their assignment?
Comments/Problems:
Recommendations for future training:
Activity 14 – Mock Disaster Training
Session – Level 2
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Purpose: To provide mine rescue
training not only for the teams but for
other mine personnel who would be
involved in the event of an actual mine
rescue situation.
Activity 14 – Mock Disaster Training
Session – Level 2
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Description and Arrangements:
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A mock disaster is a simulation of an actual
mine rescue operation. It requires setting
up a command center, establishing a fresh
air base, and deploying teams on a
rotation schedule.
The idea is not new. A number of
companies already use a mock disaster
training session as part of their total
emergency preparedness training.
Activity 14 – Mock Disaster Training
Session – Level 2
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Description and Arrangements:
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The preparation necessary for putting on a mock
disaster training session include:
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Preparing areas for a command center and fresh air base
(both with necessary communications)
An underground area the team will be working in
(placards can be used to indicate various conditions).
You will need to have maps of the underground area.
A briefing and team assignments
A team rotation schedule
An area set aside for teams to prepare and clean their
apparatus.
Activity 14 – Mock Disaster Training
Session – Level 2
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Description and Arrangements:
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The personnel needed to carry out the mock
disaster include:
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Mine rescue teams (at least three, although four is
probably the optimum number for a single days training
session)
Appropriate safety and management people to man the
command center and fresh air base
It’s also important to involve the other surface personnel
who should be called in on a real rescue situation.
For instance, you can have guards checking people as
they come on property, a supply clerk, lamp man, mine
electrician, mechanical foreman, and so on.
Activity 14 – Mock Disaster Training
Session – Level 2
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Description and Arrangements:
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Additionally, you may want to invite MSHA and
(where applicable) state officials to observe or
participate in the mock disaster. And, you’ll need
equipment and food for all people.
Obviously, a mock disaster training session
requires the participation of quite a few people,
particularly. Management-level people. While it
can be a significant outlay of money and time, a
mock disaster training session can also be an
extremely valuable training experience. For the
teams, its realistic training session, and for the
people in charge, its an opportunity to practice
coordinating and directing rescue work.
Activity 14 – Mock Disaster Training
Session – Level 2
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Evaluation
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Use the following checklist to aid you in
evaluating the team’s performance. Be
sure to list and discuss any problems the
team encountered.
Activity 14 - Evaluation
Activity 14
Mock Disaster Training Session
Level 2
Evaluation – 14
1. Problems in organization – did people know where to go when they arrived?
2. Flow of information – was necessary information transmitted smoothly
between command center, the fresh air base, and the teams?
Were all communications recorded at the fresh air base and the command center?
3. Decsison making – at the command center – were the necessary people
available to provide needed information and to assist in decision-making?
4. Were briefings and debriefings effective?
5. Did team rotation changes go smoothly?
6. Did teams perform adequately?
7. Were conditions at the fresh air base and command center appropriate? (too
much noise, too many people, too few?)
8. Did people stationed on the surface outside the command center (i.e. guards,
supply clerk, etc.) have any problems carrying out their jobs? Did they have
access to the information they needed?
Comments/Problems:
Recommendations for future training: