HOMEPAGE PERSONAL PROFILE HISTORICAL REVIEW HOWEBRIDGE MRS BOOTHSTOWN MRS PURPOSE OF A MRS MOBILE WINDING ENGINE AMPUTATION KIT OFFICERS AND STAFF SELECTION OF RESCUEMEN BREATHING APP PRIME FEATURES OF BA GENERAL CONDUCT OXYGEN RESUSCITATORS HEAT AND HUMIDITY RESCUE COMMS CANARIES AND LAMPS SELF RESCUERS SEFA BREATHING APPARATUS PROTO BREATHING APPARATUS AERORLOX BREATHING APPARATUS SALVUS BREATHING APPARATUS SAVOX BREATHING APPARATUS MINOX BREATHING APPARATUS ANTIPOYS TUBE APPARATUS

The Lancashire Mines Rescue Service RESCUE COMMUNICATIONS. During rescue operations, communication between a rescue team and the fresh-air-base and to a lesser extent, between members of the team were always less than satisfactory. The main stumbling block really, was the inability to speak whilst wearing breathing. It was stressed on all occasions during training that talking whilst in an irrespirable atmosphere was strictly taboo. The correct fitting of the nose clip and mouthpiece was essential for the final seal of the apparatus and disturbance of that seal by movement of the lips could lead to serious problems. Wearers of open circuit sets with a full facemask did not have the same problem because the mouth was free and the masks were fitted with a speech diaphragm. With the self-contained compressed oxygen sets used in the Mines Rescue Service, it was never possible to use a full face mask until the arrival of the SEFA apparatus, where there was always a positive pressure within the mask. Signalling between members of the team was achieved by hooter. An authorised Code Of Signals was specified in the Rescue Regulations, which consisted of five signals only. These were :- One hoot for “Distress” or “Help Wanted”. Two hoots for “Halt”. Three hoots for “Retire”. Four hoots for “Forward” and Five Hoots to “Call Attention”. In good visibility, appropriate gestures, written notes on message pads and sign language supplemented the hooter. Communications between the team and the Fresh-Air-Base was more of a problem. The equipment had to be flameproof and intrinsically safe. This was not a problem in itself but the consequent increased weight was. Short wave radio equipment was not suitable (except in a striaght tunnel) so it had to be of the type of equipment that relied on a length of cable to connect the instrument that was left at the base and the one carried by the team. From the 1940,s a field telephone type was utilised where speech was used by the base officials and signals were used by the team for the reply. Later, the D.A.C. Signalling Apparatus made by the Derby Automation Company was used. It had two instruments connected by a cable. Each instrument had a microphone, loudspeaker and a call button. This was very successful in use, with the reel of cable extending to 500 yards and the facility for joining a second 500 yards length. Here again the Code Of Signals consisted of only five “rings”. These were:- One ring meant “Distress” or “Help Wanted”. Two rings meant “Not Understood” “Repeat the Message”. Three rings meant “No”. Four rings was for “Yes”, “All Right” or “Alls Well”. and Five rings was to “Ring Up” or “Ring Off”. The signals may appear to be insubstantial and limited but in actual fact they were adequate as long as the person at the base asked sensible and relevant questions. It was clearly understood, however, that if there was no answer to a call from the base then “distress” was to be understood and the standby team would be immediately despatched to investigate. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------