Published in the December 2007 American Longwall Magazine

 

In response to outlined regulations in the MINER Act of 2006 for realistic SCSR (self-contained self rescuer) training for workers, the Pennsylvania supplier has made its entire line of devices available to the industry, including its Practice Simulator (PN 6304699) - released in February 2006.

 

“The ability to duplicate [the emergency] environment is an extreme advantage when training personnel on how to use the SCSR,” the company said.

 

“When the individual is able to experience the actual operational conditions of the SCSR during training, they are better able to understand and react to the product during usage.”

 

While all workers need to become familiar with the sensations of breathing in an emergency situation, new miners are of special concern. Most new miners are not sufficiently trained in the use of units, and aren’t aware of what is involved when donning a real SCSR. They are more likely to panic, and more rapidly, when faced with the unit’s chemical reactions in an emergency situation.

 

The simulator unit, Dedig noted, weighs only 4.05oz (0.13kg), even when it’s full of 1.8oz (50g) of an inert, inorganic granulate material. The material is non-toxic and non-hazardous, and produces heat on interaction with exhaled breath.

 

“The mouthpiece has been constructed to provide both characteristics of an actual SCSR, heat and resistance. The Draeger simulator is designed to replicate the standard mouthpiece found on the OXY K Plus and the OXY K Plus Training unit…for consistency within actual operations and training,” the company said.

 

Once the practice unit is activated, heat will be maintained for about 15 minutes, and will reach 115 degrees Fahrenheit for inhaled air within the first 60 seconds. After the first 15 minutes, the temperature will drop to 102F while constant breathing resistance is applied to the one-time-use device.

 

“The Draeger simulator may be used as a stand-alone device to accomplish the heat and resistance simulation, or may be attached to the OXY K training unit to provide training in the complete operation of the SCSR,” the company said.

 

Using the simulator for all three aspects of training – opening, donning, and breathing simulation – offers a complete, effective and realistic experience of an emergency situation.