Self rescue system for mine-rescue
A Self Rescue breathing apparatus is an essential safety device used in mines and other hazardous environments. Its function is to provide miners with a reliable and temporary breathing solution in emergency situations where the normal supply of fresh air is interrupted or contaminated.
The main features and functions of a Self Rescue breathing apparatus are as follows:
1. Portability: The breathing apparatus is designed to be compact and portable so that miners can easily carry it with them. This ensures that it is always within reach in case of emergency.
2. Self-sufficient: The breathing apparatus operates without external power supply or supply of air. It uses built-in filters and chemical reactions to generate the breathing air needed for survival. This means miners are not dependent on external sources of clean air.
3. The breathing apparatus is equipped with a closed oxygen system specifically designed to exclude toxic gases, vapours or particles from the ambient air. This ensures that inhaled oxygen is free from harmful substances that may be present in the mining environment, such as carbon monoxide, dust particles or toxic fumes.
4. Limited duration of use: A Self Rescue breathing apparatus is designed for a limited duration of use, usually a few hours. It is intended to give miners sufficient time to reach a safe location or to wait for help in emergency situations.
5. Easy to use: The breathing apparatus should be easy to use, even under stressful conditions. It should have intuitive controls, such as a simple activation switch or mouthpiece, so that miners can react quickly and use the device without extensive training.
6. Visibility and signal functions: A Self Rescue breathing apparatus can often feature distinctive colours or reflective materials to make it easy to find in limited-visibility emergency situations. It can also be equipped with an audible alarm or other signal functions to attract the attention of rescue workers.
7. Self Rescue systems usually have a chemical cartridge that can generate oxygen and bind carbon dioxide. The chemical process is often started by an oxygen candle that is mechanically ignited. The oxygen released afterwards starts the process of oxygen generation and carbon dioxide binding.
The use of a Self Rescue breathing apparatus can mean the difference between life and death in emergency situations where air quality in the mine deteriorates or normal air supply is interrupted. It offers miners a precious period of time to seek safety or wait for rescue, while remaining protected from toxic gases and particles in breathing air
Therebreathersite was founded by Jan Willem Bech in 1999. After a diving career of many years, he decided to start technical diving in 1999. He immediately noticed that at that time there was almost no website that contained the history of closed breathing systems. The start for the website led to a huge collection that offered about 1,300 pages of information until 2019. In 2019, a fresh start was made with the website now freely available online for everyone. Therebreathersite is a source of information for divers, researchers, technicians and students. I hope you enjoy browsing the content!