Chile awaits start of mine rescue

Preparation

The rescue team includes 10 employees of Chile's National Copper Corporation, Codelco, two local mine rescue experts, and three Chilean Navy paramedics.

Final preparations are underway, but the capsule will be tested several times before a miner is brought up. First it will go down empty, then with weights, then with a person inside.

A paramedic will be sent to examine the men and divide them into three groups: those with the most technical know-how, the weakest and the strongest characters.

Rescuers want to bring the men up in that order.

Rescue

The miners will be kitted out with made-to-measure, lightweight, waterproof clothing and sunglasses for the rescue. They will also wear a biometric belt to measure their vital signs as they are lifted to the surface.

They will wear a small oxygen mask and have headphones and a microphone giving them constant contact with the surface.

If the capsule gets stuck, the men will be able to release a series of levers inside and be winched back to the bottom of the mine.

Doctors say they will not be sedated, so they can communicate with the rescue team.

Triage area

At the surface, the miners will be taken into a triage area, a small container close to the point where the capsule surfaces. There, a doctor will check them for any serious medical conditions.

In emergency cases, they will be airlifted to the nearest hospital in Copiapo. Three helicopters are on standby at the mine.

From the triage area, the men will be taken through a 50m corridor to the field hospital or stabilisation area, where they will be allowed to spend two minutes with one or two family members.

Field hospital

The miners will spend about two hours at the field hospital, or stabilisation area.

The most common ailment among the miners at the moment is skin problems. But doctors will also be on hand to administer Vitamin D, to counter the effects of months without sunlight, and should it be needed, a drip.

They will also carry out dental checks. Here, the miners can also get psychological counselling.

Thirty four containers will make up the triage area, field hospital and rest area where they will meet their families.

Family reunion

After a thorough check at the field hospital, the men will be allowed to proceed to the rest area, with chairs and tables, where they will be reunited with their closest family members.

Numbers are limited to two family members per miner.

Psychologist Dr James Thompson, from University College London, says families can be psychologically demanding and people who have been in confinement for long periods tend to find it easier to meet a few close people rather than everyone at once.

Hospital

From the family area, they will be airlifted by helicopter to a military facility in Copiapo, 40km away.

This is located near the regional hospital, where doctors will keep them under observation for at least 48 hours.

If they are considered healthy after 48 hours, they will be able to rejoin their families. They can, if they wish, continue to receive psychological counselling.

Preparation

The rescue team includes 10 employees of Chile's National Copper Corporation, Codelco, two local mine rescue experts, and three Chilean Navy paramedics.

Final preparations are underway, but the capsule will be tested several times before a miner is brought up. First it will go down empty, then with weights, then with a person inside.

A paramedic will be sent to examine the men and divide them into three groups: those with the most technical know-how, the weakest and the strongest characters.

Rescuers want to bring the men up in that order.

Rescue

The miners will be kitted out with made-to-measure, lightweight, waterproof clothing and sunglasses for the rescue. They will also wear a biometric belt to measure their vital signs as they are lifted to the surface.

They will wear a small oxygen mask and have headphones and a microphone giving them constant contact with the surface.

If the capsule gets stuck, the men will be able to release a series of levers inside and be winched back to the bottom of the mine.

Doctors say they will not be sedated, so they can communicate with the rescue team.

Triage area

At the surface, the miners will be taken into a triage area, a small container close to the point where the capsule surfaces. There, a doctor will check them for any serious medical conditions.

In emergency cases, they will be airlifted to the nearest hospital in Copiapo. Three helicopters are on standby at the mine.

From the triage area, the men will be taken through a 50m corridor to the field hospital or stabilisation area, where they will be allowed to spend two minutes with one or two family members.

Field hospital

The miners will spend about two hours at the field hospital, or stabilisation area.

The most common ailment among the miners at the moment is skin problems. But doctors will also be on hand to administer Vitamin D, to counter the effects of months without sunlight, and should it be needed, a drip.

They will also carry out dental checks. Here, the miners can also get psychological counselling.

Thirty four containers will make up the triage area, field hospital and rest area where they will meet their families.

Family reunion

After a thorough check at the field hospital, the men will be allowed to proceed to the rest area, with chairs and tables, where they will be reunited with their closest family members.

Numbers are limited to two family members per miner.

Psychologist Dr James Thompson, from University College London, says families can be psychologically demanding and people who have been in confinement for long periods tend to find it easier to meet a few close people rather than everyone at once.

Hospital

From the family area, they will be airlifted by helicopter to a military facility in Copiapo, 40km away.

This is located near the regional hospital, where doctors will keep them under observation for at least 48 hours.

If they are considered healthy after 48 hours, they will be able to rejoin their families. They can, if they wish, continue to receive psychological counselling.