Cave/Mine (need to start) Flashcards
What are the 11 underground absolutes?
- Assess air quality and gasses with monitors and knowledge
- Have an accountability sector, and be aggressive
- Always identify and monitor other entrances and exits
- Me first, then my team, other healthy subjects, then subjects in danger
- Have a back up plan and resources
- Follow CFR1910.146, but keep it simple
- Use the right equipment
- Don’t trest a mine like a cave
- Always consider it an unstable structure
- Monitor weather above and uphill; be aware of flash floods
- It’s okay to say no
What is the purpose of training underground?
To provide Awareness level training in the areas of general confined spaces, specifically Abandoned Mines, certain Tunnels, and as a prerequisite for Cave SAR training.
What is the definition of something that’s intrinsically safe for underground use?
electrical design (for comms or other signal devices) that will not create a spark if external wires touch, metal strikes the device, or another device’s wires touch the device
What items are not intrinsically safe for underground use?
Typical headlamps & cell phones are not intrinsically safe so if there’s explosive/flammable conditions, they must be turned off or put in an explosion-proof case
What devices are permissible for use underground?
A device that has been cleared by MSHA (Mine Safety & Health Admin)
What is the definition of a lower explosive limit LEL?
a percentage of flammable gas concentration, if below this limit, the gas will not explode in air, if above this limit the gas can explode when exposed to air
When should gas monitoring equipment be used?
For ALL underground operations
Can CAMRA enter suspected HazMat environments?
No, a confined space HazMat team will be called and CAMRA will provide support
What should be done if unsafe O2 or gas readings are observed
Do not continue. Exit mine/cave
What should be done in case of loss of communication with surface team
Do not continue. Recover communications immediately
Who should be notified for all Mine operations including training and drills?
State Mine Inspector’s Office
What should be done before entry to an unstable structure
ASMI consult or equivalent required
What are the resources available to central Arizona for underground operations
State Mine Inspector’s Office
Mines: Fire Department Confined Space Teams
Caves: NCRS/NSS resources (Central AZ, Northern, and Southern Grottos)
Commercial Mining Company Mine Rescue Teams
Communications Posse (Lobby)
Medical Posse (Lobby)
MCSO and other agency for Command Post support
Who should be contacted if ventilation is required
FD or active mine rescue team
Who should be contacted if timbering or shoring is required
Structural collapse or active mine rescue team
Maximum length and time limit of typical fire department SCBA/SABA
No more than 300ft for SABA and 30-45 minutes for SCBA
Devices with electrical design and construction so that they are not capable of igniting explosive methane-air mixtures during normal operation are called:
Intrinsically Safe
Does CAMRA use Intrinsically safe electronics?
No
What does SCBA stand for?
Self contained breathing apparatus
Underground space or underground SAR is defined as:
Caves and abandoned mines
What is the team hard sided sled-like litter used for underground patient extraction
The FERNO
Also we used it for apline
What is the flexible plastic patient extraction device used for transporting patients through confined spaces?
SKED
What must always be used with the SKED?
Oregon Spine Splint (OSS) as an immobilizer and to prevent the sked from crushing the chest and inhibiting the subjects breathing when lifting the SKED
What is the most dangerous hazard that can be found underground?
Atmospheric Hazards
what gases do the gas monitors read
O2, CO, CO2, H2S, CH4
Define the lobby sector
Staging area for the entry crew. Lobby records name and time of entry for each person entering. They keep elapsed time for the entry crew and advise command every 15 minutes of total elapsed time
Define Surface Communications
Relays information from the entry crew to command and vice versa. Monitors for signs and symptoms of entry communications member in trouble, lethargic, etc. Location is close to entry portal. Attendant maintains constant coms with entry team.
Entry crew responsibilities:
- Know the hazards of the space
- Be aware of signs of exposure and actions to correct
- Follow procedures for the use of protective equipment
- Maintain contact with communications operator
- Always stay alert and know your emergency egress route
- All members must carry chalk for marking
- Be cross-trained in each role as a contingency to loss or unavailability of a member
- At least one member shall be an EMT or higher, and should not be captain
Entry Crew roles
- Gas monitor - First in line (pre-calibrates gas monitoring equipment, tests atmospheric conditions)
- Captain - second in line (checking readiness of crew, directing the crew towards its goals, monitoring forward progress, evaluating hazardous conditions)
- Communications Member - Third in line (relays information to the surface crew, uses hard-line communication equipment, checks in frequently) (additional crew member may need to assist stringing the communication hardline)
- Mapper - fourth in line (maintains map and makes note of hazards, landmarks, and where the team has been and is currently, acquires map before entry if possible)
- Medical - Fifth in line (Acquires and carries medical gear, prepares for subject care and stabilization for extraction)
Why construct a map during underground operations
So the crew can find their way back out, so the areas already searched are documented, so the next entry is better prepared to deal with hazards and terrain already encountered during this and any future missions
Define TLV
Threshold Limit Value
a standard that sets the maximum airborne concentration of a hazardous material that healthy adults can be exposed to during a workweek without experiencing adverse health effects
TLV-TWA (Time Weighted Average): avg exposure 8hr/day, 40 hr/week
TLV-STEL (Short Term Exposure Limit): spot exposure, < 15 mins, < 5 times/day
TLV-C (Ceiling): absolute exposure limit, should never be exceeded ever
Class A confined space is:
immediately dangerous to life
- < 16% O2 or >25% O2.
- LEL is >20%
- toxic gases are at or above the IDLH.
- Rescue procedures will require the entry of more than one individual fully equipped with life support equipment.
- Communications between entry personnel and outside forces should be maintained.
SABA is?
Surface Air Breathing Apparatus: mask with hose that goes to surface air cart, <300ft
Class B confined Space is:
dangerous but not immediately life threatening.
- 16.1% - 19.4% O2 or 21.5-25% O2.
- LEL is 10-20%.
- Toxic gases are greater than the contamination level of 29CFR 1910, Z, but less than IDLH.
- Rescue procedures require the entry of no more than one individual fully equipped with life support equipment.
- Indirect visual or auditory communications are maintained.
Class C confined space has:
a potential hazard
- 19.5-21.4% o2
- LEL < 10%
- Toxic gases are less than 29 CFR 1910 Z
- No modification of work procedures required
The two categories of toxic gasses and vapors are:
Asphyxiants and irritants
Oxygen levels
Oxygen - normal air has 20.8% O2; safe between 19.5% to 23.5%
Combustible Gas/Vapors are:
mostly heavier than air
Hazards and conditions that exist underground:
- Oxygen deficiency and Oxygen Enrichment
- Combustible gas and vapor
- Toxic gasses and vapors
- Organic decomposition
- Valley fever
- Lime (powder)
- Carbon monoxide (CO)
- Hydrogen sulfide (H2S)
- Sulfur dioxide (SO2)
- Methane (CH4)
- Nitrogen (N)
- Temperature Extremes
- Barometric Pressure
Mines specific Conditions and Hazards
- Rotting timber
- Broken or rotting ladders
- Unsupported ceilings and walls. Arch ceilings are stronger than flat.
- Bad Air
- Holes and shafts
- False or weak Floors.
- Water, pooled, stagnant, possibly toxic
- Underground fires, some not obvious from the surface
- Abandoned explosives: (fun fact, the nitroglycerin in dynamite sweats out over time making it unstable to even touch it)
- Dangerous animals and insects
- Falling rocks and objects
- Danger of becoming lost
- Hazardous materials and waste
- snakes, bees, etc
