Page 68 Contd on pg 68 A successful mine rescue oper ation depends on the best avail able technology that makes it possible for the rescuers to deal with challenges that arise from the emergency The equipment is purchased and owned by Ontario Mine Rescue and is suppli ed to the Mine Res cue Substation which is located at the mine site and also at the Dis trict Mine Rescue station Mine rescue personnel in Ontario are trained in the use and main tenance of the equipment and be come familiar with its use At the top of the list is a reliable and efective breathing apparatus that provides a supply of air and protection against inhalin g toxic substances such as carbon mon oxide during a mine fre The list of equipment and technol ogy used by Ontario Mine Rescue as standard or for specialty work is extensive and continues to grow and evolve says T ed Hanley V P of Ontario Mine Rescue The breathing apparatus is the fundamental piece of equipment used by mine rescue responders attempting to reenter mines there is no greater importance than the understanding and proper use of the rescue s breathing apparatus Hanley adds Hanley explains the expansive na ture of underground mining and the signifcant travel times associ ated with responding to emergen cies manufacturers have devel oped long duration selfcontained breathing apparatus to be used T raining in mine rescue empha sizes extensive understan ding of the apparatus for their personal safety In addition the need to understand the physical stresses and efects that working with such a breathing apparatus can have Draeger BG4 The Draeger BG4 provides up to four hours of breathing air allow ing mine rescuers to work in areas with a contaminated atmosphere or low oxygen It is a selfcontained closedcircuit breathing unit that uses positive pressure in the breathing circuit to prevent contaminants from en tering the closed breathing cir cuit Ontario Mine Rescue also uses T estit 6100 T esters T o en sure the BG4 is working properly The device measures th fow and pressure of the BG4s The tester comes in a suitcase designed for easy portability Ontario Mine Rescue has been working with breathing apparatus manufacturers for several years on the next generation of equip ment that will be deployed within the upcoming 510 year period The goal is to reduce the risk to the responder and that starts with improving their breathing appa ratus Hanley says W e need to reduce breathing resistance reduce the temperature of the in haled rebreathed air improve the removal of contaminants from ex Ontario Mine Rescue equipment and technology continues to evolve Drager PSS BG 4 plus Drager BG 174 Page 66