Western Canada Mine Rescue Manual Chapter 6: Rescue Tools

Rotating tools can be used to apply impact force or gain access.

Special consideration for power tools must be paid to combustion, sparking, fumes, and noise.

Pushing, pulling, and lifting tools are used to extend reach or exert extra force on an object.

Prying and spreading tools are used for fire suppression.

Striking tools are used to sever an object.

Cutting tools include knives, chain saws, and reciprocating saws.

Energy sources provide independent energy in the field.

Hazardous atmosphere and spill tools are used to protect responders and help with clean up.

Fire appliances include knives, chain saws, and reciprocating saws.

Miscellaneous tools encountered in mine rescue include communication devices and traffic control equipment.

Always follow the manufacturer's instructions when operating any tool.

Safety is not the primary consideration for the use of any tool.

Rescue tools can be organized into three general categories: hand tools, power tools, and digital tools.

Tool selection for mine rescue should not consider maintaining and protecting mine property from further damage.

Power tools are only operated by external power sources like electricity.

Trainees must be familiar with every tool encountered on a mine site.

The main objective of using rescue tools is to ensure the safety of trapped workers and minimize risk to rescuers.

Rescue tools are only used for facilitating the rehabilitation of affected work areas.

Hand tools are operated by external power sources like electricity.

The type of incident will not influence which tools are used for mine rescue operations.

Tool selection for mine rescue should not account for preserving the incident scene for investigation.

Mine rescue operations use dozens of different tools.

Power tools are always operated by internal power sources like batteries.

Hand tools are operated by manual force and do not extend the range or force of body actions.