Sago Mine Survivor Says 4 Airpacks Failed

AP/ABCNews ^ | 4/27/06 | Vicki Smith

[Roccus]

Letter from McCloy to the families of the Lost Sago miners. Some details of their ordeal.

[Roccus]

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=1897904

[Normal4me]

They all failed eventually. :-(

[don-o]

They all failed eventually. :-(

Take your smartass comments elsewhere. Not here, bud.

[don-o]

Thanks for the post. What is your take? Would 12 functional units have made a difference?

Regardless, in my industry (printing) the company is required, by OSHA, to have PPE (personal protective equipment) on hand in in working condition.

[OldFriend]

Nothing smartass about the truth. Your comment to the poster is out of line.

[Pukin Dog]

Why do I immediately think that McCloy was asked to write such a note, because it will go a long way in settlement negotiations?

I would be curious about just how much he remembers about that event, if anything.

Call me skeptical.

[don-o]

Don't start up with me off that. I am sick of fast gun Freepers, who crack wise.

This one is close to home. I will not abide crap like that.

[sgtbono2002]

I dont know what type of device they had, but as a Firefighter I do know that these devices contain air or oxygen under pressure. I have never know of 4 of them not functioning at once, malfunctions are rare,but they do have to be checked for proper pressure. If they dont have air in them they wont work. My guess is they didnt check their bottles when they came on duty. In the Fire Department it is the duty of every man when he comes on duty to check his own bottle. you never take anyone elses word that they refilled it or that it is up to par. Not if youre smart.

[Roccus]

I really don't know. It took so long to get rescuers in to them.

[ru4liberty]

You might consider removing "Christian" from your profile lest we all be painted with the same broad brush. Nothing in your demeanor would indicate that you are a follower of the gentle Savior.

[don-o]

My guess is they didnt check their bottles when they came on duty.

Good comment. I think the next info needed from the miners among us is, how diligent are y'all in checking out your gear?

[Roccus]

McCloy had said that he would say nothing publicly until he had a chance to communicate with the families of his lost co-workers. So far as I know, he kept his word.
Don't forget, this is an AP article. How they got hold of the letter, I don't know.

[don-o]

Huh? Christian has nothing to do with calling out the smartasses who jump up and post a stupid one-liner as soon as a new post goes up; especially with people dying.

Anything else??

[Roccus]

These are totally different than Scott Packs. They are more like a re-breather that heats up. When Jaxter or old_sage_says get here, they'll be better able to describe it.

[Spruce]

I can only assume these men found themselves in this disaster, made plans to ration the available oxygen. Gave each other hope. And then when they try to use the lifesaving equipment, it fails!
Can you imagine how utterly horrifying it must have been for these men? Knowing as soon as you see the first device fail that some of you are not going to make it. And then another fails. And then another. And then another!

I would bet the person responsible for their maintenance will never sleep well again.

[Roccus]

According to the article, they produce oxygen by a chemical reaction.

[Roccus]

They're supposed to be maintenance free except for visual inspections which were done every 90 days.

[ru4liberty]

Anything else??

No, other than a 2nd request that you edit your profile page until you are able to exhibit more of the fruit of the spirit. Thanks.