NOTE: The information below may prove useful as you compose your rescue plan.
Ten miners are trapped inside the Level 7 stope.
A typical stope is approximately 6-7 ft. high x 4-5 ft. wide.
The Level 7 stope space is estimated to be approximately 51 ft. long and to have a volume of approx. 1500 cu. ft.
Groundwater is flooding into the Level 7 tunnel at a rate of approx. 23 gallons per minute.
The average water temperature is 55 degrees F.
One estimate places the average air consumption for an adult at 35-40 ml/kg/min for males; 30-35 ml/kg/min for females. Another estimate places the average air consumption for an adult at 0.5 pints of pure oxygen per minute for males; 8.0 pints per minute when running.
Cold water survival estimates vary. Click here to see one set of estimates.
Decompression illness (or "the bends") results when one experiences sudden changes in air pressure. For a quick reference on decompression times and dive tables, click here.