Trapped Chilean Miners I don't know if anyone else is following the mining collapse disaster that has been ongoing these last few weeks in Chile, but authorities there estimate that it would take another 4 months to dig them out. They're trapped underground after a partial collapse of an access tunnel, so in that regard, they're not in immediate danger (mines are notorious for drownings and underground gas explosions or asphyxiations). They've already been considered miracles for making 2 days worth of rations last for more than 17 days, before an emergency bore hole found them. Authorities have since sent water, food, LED lights and other emergency items via several six inch wide bore holes. More here: In a rush? Just read the Bold Red Lines for a quick synopsis:
This was the steel capsule that was used to rescue 9 US miners from Quecreek Mine in Pennsylvania, 2002. Here's a Nat Geo video that describes what happened at Quecreek: [video=youtube;0zEXYyAVZU8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zEXYyAVZU8"[/video] The miners there were eventually trapped into an isolated chamber by the rising waters. They were rescued 4 days later when authorities successfully drilled an access tube down to where they were at, lifting each one out, one at a time, via a steel mesh capsule.
I saw a clip of those people down there, they seem to be do fairly well in that situation but things will change after a few more weeks, they just have to keep each other sane.
CNN showed a similar roped off floor space a few days ago, that visually approximates their total amount of movement area. From what I could tell, it is about the size of a very small classroom for the 33 of them. When CNN show it, they had 33 people stand in that area, and it seemed like a bunch of people were crowded into the space of maybe a large industrial elevator. While taking an elevator ride for a minute may not be bad, to have to spend 4 or more months in such a space would test the psychological fortitude of anyone. Really bad... Video - Breaking News Videos from CNN.com
I's sure that the medical authorities there are probably well aware of the need for UV and the lack thereof, effects on bone over time. They're all probably getting supplements of vitamin D with calcium (along with all other essential nutrients). On the other hand, I'm waiting for the vampire or haunted mine stories, like the one from The Descent, LOL... [video=youtube;yZAPCH4gKLU]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5I1q4KhKNU"]YouTube- THE DESCENT Theatrical Trailer[/url] [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZAPCH4gKLU"[/video] -roflyawn
