2024 Coal Mine Rescue Rules PDF

Section I 2024 Coal Mine Rescue Rules (REVISED VERSION - 02/27/2024)  2024 MINE RESCUE CONTEST RULES INDEX Section I Title...

Section I 2024 Coal Mine Rescue Rules (REVISED VERSION - 02/27/2024)  2024 MINE RESCUE CONTEST RULES INDEX Section I Title Page General Information for Conducting 2024 Mine Rescue Contests.................................... 1 Rules Governing the 2024 Mine Rescue Contests................................................................ 3 Radio Frequencies................................................................................................................. 6 Written Examination............................................................................................................. 7 Fresh-Air Base Procedures................................................................................................... 8 Miscellaneous......................................................................................................................... 8 Interpretations of A Cards.................................................................................................. 10 Interpretations of B Card.................................................................................................... 16 Proper Method of Roof Testing............................................................................................ 42 Extent of Gas........................................................................................................................... 47 Initial Exploration Under Rule 29........................................................................................ 48 Mine Map Legend.................................................................................................................. 51 Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus................................................................................... 56 Biomarine, BioPak 240-S Donning Procedures............................................................... 56 Biomarine, BioPak 240-R Donning Procedures............................................................... 57 Draeger BG-4 Self Contained Breathing Apparatus....................................................... 57 CAREvent® DRA Automatic Rescue Ventilator............................................................. 58 Detecting Instruments........................................................................................................... 59 CMX 270 Continuous Carbon Monoxide, Methane, and Oxygen Monitor................. 59 MSA Passport Personal Alarm.......................................................................................... 60 LTX 310 Multi-Gas Monitor............................................................................................... 61 TMX 410 Multi-Gas Monitor.............................................................................................. 62 TMX 412 and ATX 620 Multi-Gas Monitors.................................................................... 63 CSE Explorer 4 Multi-Gas Monitor................................................................................... 64 ITX Multi-Gas Monitor....................................................................................................... 65 MSA Solaris.......................................................................................................................... 66 MSA ALTAIR 4X Multi-gas Detector............................................................................... 67 M40M Multi-Gas Monitor.................................................................................................. 68 MX4 and MX6 iBrid Multi-Gas Monitors......................................................................... 69 Drager X-am 2000 and Drager X-am 5000 Multi-Gas Detector..................................... 70 Statements of Fact................................................................................................................ 71  GENERAL INFORMATION FOR CONDUCTING 2024 MINE RESCUE CONTESTS Mine Rescue Rules were designed as a training tool for mine rescue teams. The gas levels, limits, travel distances, water levels, etc. were developed for contest purposes only. Discretion should be used in actual mine emergency situations. The Holmes Mine Rescue Association (“HMRA”) Coal Mine Rescue Rules Sub-Committee will develop the rules for mine rescue competitions and submit them to the HMRA Advisory Committee for approval. Once approved by HMRA, the rules will be presented to MSHA for review and acceptance. Once accepted by MSHA, the rules will serve as the “MSHA- recognized rules” as per 30 CFR § 49.60(a)(2) and will be used for mine rescue contests in order for the teams to receive credit under 30 CFR § 49.20(a)(2) for participation in local mine rescue contests. The Director of the respective mine rescue contest will be responsible for coordinating a review of the mine rescue field problem(s) and written examination questions prior to the contest to ensure they follow the MSHA-recognized rules. The Contest Director should direct any rule interpretation questions regarding the design of a mine rescue problem or written examination questions to the Chairman of the HMRA Coal Mine Rescue Rules Sub- Committee. 1. Mine rescue teams must be composed of persons who are bonafide employees of mining companies or persons who are designated or contracted by mining companies to fulfill the requirements of 30 CFR Part 49 mine rescue coverage. Members of collegiate mine rescue teams are exempt from this requirement. 2. All mine rescue teams must report to isolation at the designated time on each day of their participation. The number of persons in isolation will be limited to ten uniformed team members. 3. Teams are required to bring with them a sufficient supply of materials and apparatus accessories. Teams cannot expect recharging materials and facilities, apparatus parts, and accessories for the several types of apparatus to be made available at the contest site. 4. In mine rescue ties, B cards will be the first tie breaker; mine maps (the Team map and the Briefing Officer or command center map whichever is designated by the team) will be the second tie breaker; written examinations will be the third tie breaker; timecards will be the fourth tie breaker; and actual time to work the problem(s) will be the fifth tie breaker. 5. Mine rescue teams shall be notified by posting when they may review their map and scorecards. Within one hour of posting, the team captain, team trainer, briefing officer or command center attendant, and map man shall report to a designated location. Teams will have 20 minutes to review and prepare any 1  written protests. All protests will be considered by the Final Appeals Committee. Under no circumstance will video tape recordings or photographs be introduced as supplementary material for consideration by the Final Appeals Committee. 6. For a combination team, the three working first aid team members will be chosen from the registered mine rescue team members. The final ranking of combination teams will be determined from a mine rescue team’s score(s) and the first aid team’s score. When a team enters more than one first aid team, the first aid team members who will be associated with the mine rescue team for the combination award must be designated at the time the mine rescue team is registered. In case of an emergency, changes to the designated first aid team members may be made up to the time the team members report for lockup prior to their respective event. This change will be submitted, in writing, to the chief judge of the event and/or the contest director and must be signed by a representative of the team and the contest official. In the event of ties in the Combination Contest, the final Mine Rescue ranking will be the tie breaker. 7. All pillar blocks will be equal size. Each team will be provided two blank maps (1” = 10’) for working of the problems. The maps will not be labeled, and the team will be responsible for labeling the Team map and Briefing Officer Map. Failure to identify will result in a 2-point discount per map on the A card by Rule 49. Field judges shall check to see that the maps are identified before the team leaves the field and if not, mark the maps so that the map judges can correctly judge the maps. The team will still be discounted for not identifying the maps. The statement, problem, or team map must clearly identify entries so that teams can clearly determine the direction to begin exploration. This would include when a team enters the mine from the side or an elevator shaft into the mine. 2  RULES GOVERNING 2024 MINE RESCUE CONTESTS 1. Each team shall be composed of a minimum of seven persons (five working team members, a briefing officer and/or command center attendant, and a patient) and shall be limited to a maximum of ten persons. When teams elect to use a sound-powered telephone communication system (lifeline), teams may provide up to two persons to assist in managing the lifeline. If provided these two persons must be in lock-up and part of the ten-member team. The two lifeline persons will not be selected for taking the written examination. Teams will be responsible for managing lifeline behind the contest lifeline judge. In the event of an emergency, the Contest Director may exempt a team from the seven-person minimum and allow only the replacement of a patient. Each member shall wear a different number, from one to ten, on the arm, at or near the shoulder, with No. l assigned to the captain. Any means of affixing legible numbers on the sleeve of the uniform will be acceptable. After the clock is started only the five working members will be permitted to do work. In the event of an emergency or by problem design the alternate/patient may be substituted for any working team member or briefing officer/command center attendant. The team may decide which position the alternate will fill. Each team shall have a briefing officer and may choose to have a command center attendant, which will accompany only one participating team. Switching of team members including the briefing officer and/or command center attendant from one team to another is prohibited. The command center attendant will be isolated from visual contact with the field and will be stationed at the command center during the working of the problem and will maintain voice communications with the team using either a portable hard wire communication system or a wireless (radio) system. The command center attendant may advise the briefing officer and interact with the team. The briefing officer and/or command center attendant map may be marked with information received from the team while the team is inby the Fresh Air Base. However, the team, briefing officer and the command center attendant will not be allowed to visually compare their maps once the team leaves the fresh air base to begin exploration, no side-by-side comparison will be allowed. All maps shall be turned in at the completion of the problem. The briefing officer’s map will be used for scoring purposes unless the team designates the CCA’s map to be scored by checking the box in the lower right-hand corner of the electronic CCA’s map. (See A Card rule 7 for additional scoring details) The briefing officer will remain at a designated location in the fresh air base when the team is working inby the fresh air base except when it is necessary to 3  perform work outside that location in the fresh air base. When required work is completed, the briefing officer must return to the designated location. 2. Each team shall provide its own breathing apparatus for each member of the team. A breathing apparatus approved for at least four hours shall be used in mine rescue contest problems. Other approved breathing apparatus may be used on patients. Each team member must wear safety boots, an MSHA approved protective hat and cap light, and members must be similarly dressed (some team members wearing long sleeves or long pants while the others wear short sleeves or short pants will be considered similarly dressed as long as they are of the same style and color). During the working of the problem, the cap lights may or may not be turned on but must be operational. The wearing of self-rescuers is not required for Contest work. Each team member must have a metal identification tag attached to his/her belt. Each team must have at least one stretcher capable of transporting an unconscious person. Each team must have at least one portable fire extinguisher rated at 2A10BC with a minimum five-pound capacity. Fire extinguishers can be used more than once if multiple fires are encountered during the problem. 3. Each team must have its own breathing apparatus approved under Part 84, Title 42, Code of Federal Regulations. Any team that anticipates using a breathing apparatus not listed in the rules must provide, at the time of registration, written instructions outlining the proper donning procedures for such apparatus. 4. Gas testing devices used by teams shall be approved by MSHA, and only instruments which give an accurate reading for percent by volume or parts per million shall be used. Any team that anticipates using an instrument not listed in the rules shall provide, at the time of registration, written instructions outlining the proper procedures for checking and testing with such instruments. 5. Teams must assure themselves that before they report to the mine entrance or fresh-air base all apparatus are fully assembled, airtight, and ready to wear. Cylinder pressures must be within specifications of approval. Spare apparatus is not required to be tested as part of the equipment check at the fresh-air base. Full practice canisters or other acceptable canisters must be in place in the apparatus. Each team will be responsible for the proper removal of all waste material from the competition site (i.e., canisters or chemicals). 6. Teams shall be equipped with and use a portable or a sound powered communication system approved by MSHA. The wires or cable shall be of sufficient tensile strength to be used as a manual communication system. Teams may use standard signals if the communication system fails. Wireless communication systems may be used, provided they are designed and used in 4 such a manner that the integrity of the Contest is not jeopardized, as determined by the Contest Director. Upon registration the team shall properly identify their radios and provide the programmed channels and frequencies for their radios. The team must provide their fully charged radios immediately upon arrival to a guard in isolation/lock- up on the day of the contest. When selecting a channel for team competition, their radios will be set by a designated contest official on a channel that is different from other radios in use. The mine superintendent or other designated person will check and monitor conversations on the channel selected. In the event of failure of the radio provided to the mine superintendent or other designated person, corrective actions will be immediately taken by the team. Teams may take up to three radios inby the fresh air base and must provide at least three to be used by the command center and the mine superintendent or other designated official. Teams may leave additional radios in the fresh air base and command center for use in case of malfunctions. A minimum of three radios shall remain operational during the working of the problem. This consists of: one radio each for the team underground, the command center and the mine superintendent or other designated person. This complement of radios is necessary to be considered as using wireless communication. Teams using wireless communication must have radios charged and properly programmed to the MSHA FCC licensed radio frequencies prior to turning them over to contest officials. MSHA licensed radio frequencies and settings such as PL codes, low power, and narrow banding protect MSHA and teams from FCC violations and prevent crosstalk between competing teams. All radios are to be MSHA approved and intrinsically safe. VHF radios must support at least 3 channels. UHF radios must support at least 16 channels. 5  National Mine Rescue Contest Radio Frequencies Channel UHF PL Channel VHF 1 451.8000 71.9 1 151.5050 2 456.8000 82.5 2 154.5275 3 461.0375 94.8 3 158.4000 4 461.1375 103.5 5 462.7625 110.9 6 462.8375 118.8 7 464.5500 127.3 8 466.0375 136.5 9 466.1375 146.5 10 469.5625 156.7 11 461.0875 167.9 12 469.5000 179.9 13 461.0625 192.8 14 464.5000 210.7 15 466.0875 225.7 16 469.5500 241.8 IWT (Innovative Wireless Radios) are approved for the use at the National Coal Contest. Tape will be put over the message screen and if removed during the working of the problem, the team may be disqualified. 4 Channels are available: With frequencies of 903 to 927 MHZ (Channels 1 thru 4 with the use of a Portable Mesh Node) A lifeline will still be required for working of the problem. This can be achieved through the use of a communication reel or rope, wire or cable, etc., which has sufficient tensile strength to be used as a manual communication system. Anyone anticipating using wireless communication shall notify the Contest Director at official registration for the 2024 event. Wireless communication systems will be prohibited in the isolation area. This includes personal pagers, cellular phones, radios, laptop computers, etc. 6 7. Each team must be under guard, in a designated location, before the start of the Contest. Teams must remain continuously under guard until time to work the problem. Teams that have competed will not be permitted to return to the isolation area or communicate with any teams awaiting their turn to compete. 8. Any team or member receiving information concerning a Contest problem prior to arriving at the fresh-air base will be disqualified by the Chief Judge and Director. Any team or member receiving unauthorized information concerning a Contest problem after arriving at the fresh-air base may be disqualified by the Chief Judge and Director or discounted under Rule 37. This will include smart phones, smart watches, pagers, or any other electronic device capable of sending or receiving information. 9. Teams will not be permitted to furnish or make placards indicating materials or equipment and then simulate their use. WRITTEN EXAMINATION 1. At a designated time, contest officials will administer a written examination to the five working team members and the briefing officer of each team. The five individual test scores with the least amount of discounts will be used to determine the cumulative score for the team. The written examination will be ten statements of fact taken verbatim from the contest rules. Each statement shall contain a blank space which shall represent a key word, with no more than two consecutive blanks per statement. Answers will be multiple choice with three choices. Answers will not be intentionally misspelled. “None of the above” shall not be used as one of the choices. Only one choice should make the statement correct, the other choices should make the statement incorrect (i.e., don’t use choices such as 1, one, 1.0 which all make this statement correct). A maximum of fifteen minutes will be allowed for the team members to take the test. 2. Team members taking the written examination will not be permitted to take any written material or information into the testing area. 3. There will be no discussion during the time that written examinations are being taken. 4. No wireless communication or electronic device, including Apple watches or similar devices, will be permitted in the testing area. 7  FRESH-AIR BASE PROCEDURES 1. A video presentation may be shown to the team or a prepared statement will be given to the team prior to arriving at the fresh air base. The prepared statement will include information relating to the mine or section of the mine to be explored. The person in charge of the fresh-air base will introduce himself/herself to the team captain immediately upon arrival of the team at the mine portal or fresh-air base. When the team arrives at the fresh air base, the team will have 4 minutes to position their equipment, lay out lifeline across the fresh-air base/distribute radios and have the SD card loaded in their computer and ready for use. The team will be confined to the fresh-air base during this time period. If the captain fails to start the clock at or before the 4 minutes has elapsed, the clock will be started for them. They will not receive the discount for the captain not starting the clock. The team will be discounted under Rule 49. 2. Each team will be given a written problem and maps. The blank maps and problem will be given to the team immediately after the captain or judge starts the timing device. Time required for studying the problems, checking equipment, and getting under oxygen and/or air will be included in the total problem working time. MISCELLANEOUS 1. To rescue people, teams may be required to change existing ventilation, energize power circuits, pump water, or support unsafe roof if it can be done safely. Other methods of recovery will not be accepted (i.e. roping, hooking, etc.). 2. Only judges, Contest officials, news media, and working team members will be permitted in the working areas. Unauthorized persons must stay out of the working area. Photographers who wish to take pictures of the working teams must receive permission from the Director of the Contest. 3. Solid lines on a map denote actual and accurately measured workings. A solid line means there will be no openings from above, below or on the same plane that are not shown on the map. Dotted lines, on a map, denote projections and may or may not be accurate. 4. Ventilation changes made by the team will reflect general ventilation principles, to direct airflow where it is needed, or block the airflow where it would create a violation of the rules. The written instructions must clearly indicate the status of and any changes that can be made to the mine fan(s). Airflow will be considered to enter all openings where exhaust ventilation applies and exit all openings where blowing-type ventilation applies. 8 All of the airflow from at least one opening will be required to ventilate a barricade or remove gases and/or smoke. Any air movement will move irrespirable and/or explosive gases across an ignition source and/or unexplored area, if not blocked. If no airflow is indicated in the Fresh Air Base (FAB) or other openings, then none exists, regardless of ventilation controls or fan operation. If there are no openings/exits which allow air to enter/exit the mine workings inby the Fresh Air Base, air will not travel inby the FAB unless directed; once inby the FAB the above applies. Air may be short circuited across the FAB. If a team finds the ventilation short-circuited with no indication of air movement inby the FAB and have a dotted line map or have a solid line map showing openings, they can be assured that either there are no openings inby or that existing openings are isolated from the FAB by some means. 9  INTERPRETATIONS OF A CARDS 1. For each incorrect answer on written examination. 1 2. Failure to examine gauges and apparatus at not more than 20-minute intervals. This must be done at a team stop. One point for each minute or fraction thereof. (Total discounts are not to exceed 5 points) 1 The zero point for the timekeeping process for apparatus checks will begin with the completion of the last person checked during the first apparatus examination and this will be the procedure that will be used throughout the problem. This means that all team members must be checked before the next twenty minutes have elapsed. 3. Failure to complete the problem in the calculated time, for each five minutes overtime, or fraction thereof (not to exceed 10 points) 1 The calculated time will be determined by averaging the working time of all teams participating in the Contest. Average working time will not be utilized in problems where time limits are set. The working time for a problem will start when the team captain or judge starts the timing device at the fresh-air base and will continue until the team captain stops the timing device. The team captain or judge must start the timing device immediately before the team receives the maps and problem and before any work is done. In the event the captain fails to start or stop the timing device, or the team begins working before the clock is started or continues to work after clock is stopped, working time will be determined by the timekeeper. When the captain stops the timing device, the maps must be submitted to the judges. (No work will be permitted on the map after the timing device has been stopped.) For teams that do not complete the problem within the time limit: 1. Stop the team, allow no more work. 2. Discount team for everything not mapped, written instructions not followed, and any rules related to patients or missing persons. 3. Discount team an additional; a. 15 points if problem was not completed, or b. 5 points if exploration was completed and team is traveling out of the mine, or; c. 30 points if the captain stops the clock and doesn’t try to finish the problem because time is running out. 10 4. When submitted to the map examiners, conditions and/or objects marked on the team map in any area of the mine not explored by the team, each infraction 2 Conditions and/or objects that are in advance of the point that the captain has traveled shall not be recorded on the map, except for the following conditions when they extend from rib to rib: unsafe roof, caved areas, and water over knee deep. This also includes inextinguishable fires. The captain will examine these areas as close as practical, and this will require them to be located on the mine map. Objects or conditions passed by the team in the same opening or intersection shall be marked on the map. 5. Failure to locate and record accurately (verbatim) on the team map objects/conditions that should have been found and were indicated to be in the mine, for each omission 2 A. Verbatim means that the card information only has to be in sequence not stacked or oriented like the card. It also means that symbols/abbreviations are not acceptable to replace wording written out on the placard (i.e., (“) cannot be substituted for the word “inches” from a placard). This does not apply to symbols found in legend. Problem designers should never intentionally misspell words on a placard. If a word(s) are accidentally misspelled, the team map should not be discounted whether the teams spells it the way it is found on the placard or the correct spelling. B. The team is not responsible for locating and mapping objects/conditions that are initially found in the fresh-air base. All air shafts in the mine and all objects/conditions located in the fresh air base will be shown on the Team Map, Briefing Officer’s Map and Command Center Attendant’s Map. The exception would be objects that may be in the fresh-air base located in conditions that could not be explored by the previous team such as water over knee deep, caved areas or unsupported unsafe roof across the FAB that would not be considered explored by paragraph D of this rule. C. This discount shall be assessed for all objects/conditions that are not mapped in an area of the mine that the team should have explored if the problem had been worked systematically and correctly or for mapping objects/conditions not found in the mine. D. Objects/conditions located in areas of elongated unsafe roof, unsafe rib, overhanging brow, and in areas where unsafe roof extends diagonally from rib to rib must be mapped if passed by the team. 11 E. The legend developed by MSHA and furnished to the teams shall be used by all teams to mark their respective mine maps. Objects/conditions not covered by the legend will be written in by the team and the location of the object/condition indicated by the symbol "X". The team may place any additional information on the mine map concerning objects/conditions found in the mine if it does not adversely affect the legibility of the items/conditions required to be mapped. F. The marked map as submitted by the team will be compared with the problem and key map by the map examiners. Objects/conditions located on the map must be within six feet of accuracy and the six-foot allowance will be measured from the center point of the object/condition drawn into the center point of the object/condition denoted on the key map. All objects/conditions mapped by the team must be shown in the entries, crosscuts and openings. If a team fails to explore the entire mine, the farthest point of advance shall be indicated on the map submitted to the map examiners except at locations where the following objects/conditions are encountered: faces, caved areas, water over knee deep, unsafe roof across an opening, seals, permanent or temporary stoppings, barricades, inextinguishable fires and cut into old works, etc. Objects/conditions must be indicated on the team's map submitted to the map examiners. This does not include statements read by the patient or notes given to the team. G. Information found on notes in lunch boxes, at barricades and any other location must be recorded on the mine map. The map shall reflect an X for each note found. (e. g. one X for the lunch box and one for the note.) These X’s cannot be stacked one on top of the other. H. Additional information placed on the map by the team cannot be existing symbols that are presently denoted in the legend, regardless of color coding used by the team in mapping. I. The six-foot tolerance will not apply to rib lines or pillar blocks drawn in projected areas, but discounts will be assessed for improperly located objects/conditions in these areas including faces denoted by placards. J. Dotted line areas (rib lines and pillar blocks and faces) that were explored by the team must be drawn in. 2 per team stop, maximum of 6 per problem. K. A placard indicating person that is located by the team in an area of elongated or diagonal unsafe roof but cannot be reached due to a lack of roof support, shall be mapped as an X with the word person written out. If the team subsequently reaches the person placard and the placard is changed to a body or live person, the proper symbol shall be used in 12  conjunction with the original X. L. The following changes need to be noted on the team map to indicate the conditions left in the mine and the fresh-air base: fan(s), on or off, exhausting or blowing; changes to ventilation structures (i.e. permanent or temporary stoppings, doors open or closed, etc.); victims removed from the mine; electrical circuits energized or de-energized; fires extinguished; ignition sources relocated; water pumped; roof supports installed; and in the areas reentered by team, smoke cleared, gases removed, and permanent changes in direction of ventilation. Any terminology which describes these changes is acceptable. If a team knows that a gas/smoke has been cleared due to a ventilation change but has not returned to that area, they may or may not show the gas/smoke cleared. If a team clears a gas or smoke from part of an intersection, denote “cleared” and draw a line to the area that has been cleared. M. A single placard which denotes the start and end of any condition requires only one symbol to be mapped. N. Ventilation structures, found intact, such as permanent or temporary stoppings, barricades, doors open or closed, etc. that are initially located and mapped, will remain on the map and any removal (taking both sides down) of such structure will be reflected by a notation such as removed. If rebuilt in the same location, it will be shown as a temporary stopping on the team’s maps. Any partial removal (taking one side down) of a ventilation structure found intact and at some point, put back up, the symbol alone is all that is required on the team’s maps unless descriptive conditions are indicated on the placard (See Map Legend). O. All newly erected, intact, and airtight structures built by the team will be considered to be temporary stoppings. Regardless of their use or intention (i.e., ventilation, airlock, seals, etc.) they shall be treated and mapped as a temporary stopping if left intact. P. After the clock is stopped, the judge’s final ventilation map shall be confirmed on the field with the team captain or his designee. NOTE: Team is not required to mark items that are already indicated on maps. 13 6. Failure to locate and record on the briefing officer/command center attendant map (if used for scoring purposes) all objects/conditions as described below, that should have been found and were indicated to be in the mine, for each omission. 2 The following objects/conditions as found in the mine must be located on the map(s): locations of persons/bodies; smoke; gases; caved areas; unsafe roof; water in depths that prevents travel; ignition sources; fans; fires; faces; ventilation structures (whether intact or not intact, correct symbol is sufficient); brattice cloth; line curtain; seals; barricades; air direction and refuge alternatives. The following changes need to be noted on the map(s) to indicate the conditions left in the mine and the fresh-air base: fan(s), on or off, exhausting or blowing; intact ventilation structures, changes to ventilation structures (i.e. permanent or temporary stoppings, barricades, doors open or closed, etc.); victims removed from the mine; electrical circuits energized or de-energized; fires extinguished; ignition sources relocated; water pumped; roof supports installed; and in the areas reentered by team, smoke cleared, gases removed, and permanent changes in direction of ventilation. Any terminology which describes these changes is acceptable. If the team fails to explore the entire mine, the team’s farthest point of advance (FPA) must be noted, as per rule 5F. Dotted line areas that were explored by the team must be drawn in, including any faces. 2 per team stop, maximum of 6 per problem. Ventilation structures, found intact, such as permanent or temporary stoppings, barricades, doors open or closed, etc. that are initially located and mapped, will remain on the map and any removal (taking both sides down) of such structure will be reflected by a notation such as removed. If rebuilt in the same location, it will be shown as a temporary stopping on the BO/CCA (if utilized) map(s). Any partial removal (taking one side down) of a ventilation structure found intact and at some point, put back up, the symbol alone is all that is required on the BO/CCA (if utilized) map(s) unless descriptive conditions are indicated on the placard (See Map Legend). The legend developed by MSHA and furnished to the teams shall be used to mark their respective mine maps. Objects/conditions not covered by the legend will be written in by the team and the location of the object/condition indicated by the symbol "X". The briefing officer/command center attendant may place any additional information on the mine map concerning objects/conditions found in the mine if it does not adversely affect the legibility of the items/conditions required to be mapped. The marked map as submitted by the team shall be compared with the problem 14  and key map by the map examiners. All objects/conditions required to be mapped must be shown in the order that the captain encounters them and in the correct entries, crosscuts, and openings. (Orientation, verbatim and the six-foot tolerances do not apply to the briefing officer/command center attendant map.) Additional information placed on the map by the team cannot be existing symbols that are presently denoted in the legend, regardless of color coding used by the team in mapping. NOTE: Team is not required to mark items that are already indicated on maps. 7. Each team may have a Command Center Attendant who will accompany only one team and remain in lock up with that team. The Command Center Attendant will be a full-time employee of the company/companies that the mine rescue team(s) represents and may or may not be one of the team members referred to in Rule 1 governing the 2024 Mine Rescue Contest. The attendant will use the computer located in the designated Command Center location. Each team shall have a briefing officer and may choose to have a command center attendant. When both positions are used, the command center map must be an electronic map. If only the briefing officer is used, he can use either electronic or manual mapping. The map of the Attendant will be graded for scoring purposes if designated by the team. If the Briefing Officer’s map is used for scoring purposes and there is a discount on the Briefing Officer’s map, the Attendant’s map will be reviewed. If that discount is correct on the Attendant’s map, no discount will be assessed on the Briefing Officer’s map. The same removal of discount will apply if the attendants map is scored, and the discount is correct on the briefing officers’ map. The removal of discount when both a briefing officer and a CCA map are utilized will be limited to 6 discounts. Teams may opt out from the Command Center Attendant. Teams may bring their own computer provided it meets the specification stated on MSHA’s website. Time to set up their computer is included in the 4 minutes referred to in Rule 1 of the Fresh-Air Base procedures. 15  INTERPRETATIONS OF B CARD A. Apparatus 1. Apparatus improperly assembled, each apparatus 3 Failure to fasten covers, snaps, etc. Full practice canisters or other acceptable canisters must be in place and used in the apparatus. 2. Apparatus improperly adjusted to the wearer, each person 1 If required, patient must have apparatus on and properly adjusted, even if on stretcher. This ONLY applies to shoulder straps, chest straps, and head straps that are not properly fastened, are twisted, or rolled (separate discount for each strap). 3. Failure to follow prescribed procedures for going under oxygen, each person, excluding patient 3 This will depend on type of apparatus used. 4. Apparatus part or parts worn or deteriorated so as to be dangerous to the wearer, each person 8 Holes that are in the breathing tubes and straps that break after the wearer goes inby the fresh-air base are discounts. 5. Oxygen supply of team members over specified limitations 2 This will apply to oxygen supply prior to starting work and be determined by the type of apparatus worn. It does not mean minimum at end of problem. 6. Failure of captain to examine gauges, apparatus, and to have his/her gauges, apparatus examined before entering the mine, or going inby the fresh air base each apparatus 2 7. Failure to make proper apparatus examination during any required apparatus check, each infraction 1 (Maximum 5 Points) 16  Each team captain will examine gauges and apparatus of team members and have his gauge and apparatus examined by a team member. A proper apparatus examination will include a verbalization that the person performing the apparatus examination is checking the gauge, facepiece, hoses, and determine by sight or feel, that the protective cover is secure. If the gauge has a protective holder, the gauge must be put back into the holder after viewing. The team member making the check must obtain assurance from the person being checked that the person is all right. A verbal response from the person that he/she is all right will suffice. 8. Not wearing goggles in conjunction with an SCSR when smoke is encountered, each patient, each infraction 2 Means any smoke. 9. Team members breathing external air inby the fresh-air base, each team member, each infraction (excluding patient) 10 10. Team not following proper procedure in case of apparatus failure, each infraction 6 Proper procedure would depend on type of apparatus; however, team must proceed to fresh-air base or other such designated location immediately. Proper procedure for returning simulated malfunctioning apparatus to use would be to take apparatus off and set it on the ground at the fresh-air base or other such designated location, and then put it back on following the prescribed procedures for getting under oxygen. 11. Failure to properly protect patient, secure patient to stretcher, cover patient with blanket, or placing patient on stretcher in such a way as to foul proper operation of apparatus, each omission 2 Failure to properly protect the patient shall be assessed when the team drops the patient. Patient should be secured to stretcher by at least two bandages or straps, one around trunk of body and one around legs, covered with blanket from the neck to and including the feet and placed so as not to crimp air hoses. The bandages or straps shall be fastened perpendicular to the patient's body. The patient’s arms may or may not be secured, but the blanket must cover the patient to the neck. 17  All unconscious patients must be brought to the fresh-air base on stretchers. 12. Failure to conduct a complete initial assessment of each patient 2 maximum per patient An initial assessment must be conducted of all live persons who are encountered during the working of the problem. The assessment should commence once the captain has physically made contact with the person. Any of the five working team members may be utilized to conduct the assessment. However, the team member starting the assessment of a live person will continue and complete the assessment. When assessing a conscious live person, a team member must physically contact the patient and verbalize the following assessments. 1. Ask if he/she is okay; asking person if he/she is “alright” will suffice. 2. Looking for life threatening injuries. When assessing an unconscious live person, a team member must physically contact patient and verbalize the following assessments. 1. Ask patient if he/she is okay; asking if he/she is “alright.” 2. Look for absence of breathing or gasping. 3. Check for presence of a carotid pulse (5-10 seconds). 4. Looking for life threatening injuries. B. Auxiliary Equipment and Testing Devices 1.3. Failure to take necessary equipment and gas-detecting devices to work the problem, each omission 2 Failure to take necessary equipment or testing devices underground; discount should be assessed even if team returns to fresh-air base to pick up necessary equipment. 14. The following equipment must be examined after the clock is started and before the entire team goes underground or inby the fresh-air base 2 Communication system: communications between the team and briefing officer or command center attendant shall be tested before the team advances inby the fresh-air base. All gas detecting instruments used or taken inby the fresh-air base must be examined in the presence of a judge. (After examining, gas detecting instruments may be turned off during the working of the problem). 18  15. Equipment failing to function properly, if not corrected before entering the mine, each infraction ___4 Faulty equipment must be left at the fresh-air base. 16. Failure to secure extra approved breathing apparatus or device to stretcher___2 Extra apparatus must be secured to stretcher to prevent it from falling off. C. Communication and Signaling 17. Failure to arrange standard lifeline pull signals___3 A team must arrange standard lifeline pull signals with the judge handling the lifeline after the clock is started and before the entire team goes underground or inby the fresh-air base. A team using wireless communication is not required to arrange standard lifeline signals prior to the entire team going underground. However, standard lifeline signals must be arranged prior to the entire team going underground if the team has retreated to the fresh air base due to communication failure and a sound-powered communication system with lifeline will be used for the completion of the problem. 18. Failure to give proper notification with lifeline or communication system of team's intentions, (total discounts not to exceed 6 during working of problem) each infraction___1 The following verbal or standard lifeline pull signals shall be used between the No. 5 team member and the briefing officer or lifeline judge: Signal Meaning 1 pull or "Stop" Stop if traveling or "All Right" if team is at rest. 2 pulls or "Advance" Team will advance and take lifeline from fresh-air base. 3 pulls or "Retreat" Team will retreat and give lifeline to fresh-air base. If this signal is made from the fresh-air base to team, then team should return to fresh-air base at once. When using wireless communication/link line, if the captain is leading, the team is “advancing”; if the tail captain is leading, the team is “retreating” 19 4 pulls or "Help" Team is in distress. A team using a telephone or wireless communication system must report its intentions to the briefing officer. Constant communication shall be maintained with the briefing officer unless a malfunction occurs. A team will not be discounted if the communication system fails if they have back-up radios, secondary telephone communications, or, if they change to using the standard lifeline pull signals. If the lifeline breaks, the team must immediately repair the lifeline or return to the fresh-air base. If team’s communication system fails, the team may do work necessary to repair the system. The only verbal communication between the team and the command center must relate to repairing the communication system. Teams will be discounted under Rule 37 for any other communication. When repairing the communication system, working team members may enter the CCA isolation area if necessary to restore communication. Teams may only use standard lifeline signals if their communication system fails. If the team is using standard lifeline signals, verbal communications between the working team members and the command center attendant is allowed. No comparison of the maps can be made. Failure to notify the briefing officer by voice communication or lifeline judge by lifeline pull signals of team's intentions would include advancing or retreating team inby the fresh air base prior to notifying and receiving a reply. If the team is stopped and gives a signal to retreat or advance, the No. 5 team member must await return signal prior to moving. When traveling and the No. 5 team member gives signal to stop, the No. 5 team member may not move more than two steps after receiving return signal. Signals need not be initiated by the Captain. Improper signals would apply only to signals transmitted between the No. 5 team member and the briefing officer or lifeline judge. If an improper signal is corrected prior to team moving, the team shall not be discounted. To correct an improper signal, the No. 5 team member gives a "Stop" signal prior to moving, then gives corrected signal and receives the reply from the briefing officer or lifeline judge. All team members must hold or be attached to the team link line while traveling. The team link line shall be not more than 28 feet in length and a 20  non-extendable tagline not more than 36 inches in length may be used from a team member to the team link line. 19. The team must notify the briefing officer and obtain permission before ventilation changes are made or power circuit’s energized 2 Ventilation changes will be considered as starting, stopping, or redirection of the air current or changes of the constituents. Dropping a line curtain, extinguishing a fire, or opening a valve, is not considered to be a ventilation change. Boreholes cannot be used for ventilation purposes. The removal of any contaminant by the use of a line curtain and ventilating air current will require the inby end of the line curtain to be within five feet of the extent of the contaminant. If the extent of the contaminant is less than five feet inby the rib line, then the line curtain must break the imaginary rib line. If water is being pumped, teams must wait until placards have been changed by the Contest officials before assuming the water has been lowered. At the team’s request and direction, the command center will be responsible for starting, stopping, or reversing fans, and for energizing and de-energizing power circuits. Contest Officials will designate whether work done in the fresh air base will be conducted by the competing team or by back-up teams. If backup team is utilized, they will be limited to making ventilation changes in the fresh air base if the working team captain has performed a roof and rib test for that ventilation structure. 20. Failure to take lifeline/link line or other communication system into the mine 10 This would apply only if all team members were inby the fresh-air base. Teams must carry sufficient rope, wire or cable to be used as a lifeline when smoke is encountered. The lifeline must be attached on the outby end of the smoke and left in place until the team travels back through the smoke. Teams using radios may carry a small reel containing rope, wire or cable, etc., which has sufficient tensile strength to be used as a manual communication system, to be used in the event smoke is encountered. 21. In air clear of smoke, none of working team members having hold of lifeline/link line or having it firmly attached to his/her person. 2 Lifeline/link line dropped by all members. Teams using radios may achieve this by having hold of their link line. 21  Does not apply on the surface or at the fresh-air base unless otherwise required by the Rules. 22. In smoke, each team member not having hold of lifeline/link line, or not being firmly attached to his/her person, each infraction 2 Applies to any smoke. All team members must be in air clear of smoke before any team member drops lifeline/link line. Would include checking entrances or portals inby the imaginary line of the openings. Any part of a team member (hand, etc.) in smoke, entire team is in smoke. Teams using radios shall secure their lifeline in a location that is clear of smoke and continue with that lifeline traveling into or through the smoke to air clear of smoke, and retreat through the smoke using the reverse procedure. Where: A. No. 5 man does not travel into smoke. Captain and other team members may travel into smoke. All members must hold or be firmly attached to lifeline and/or link line. Captain’s travel limited by rules covering exploration (e.g., 25’ limit). B. Team intends to ventilate smoke over the team; all members must hold or be firmly attached to lifeline and/or link line. D. Gas and Roof Testing 23. Failure of captain to test the roof, faces, and/or ribs by the sound and vibration method, each infraction (maximum – 4 points at any one location except fires. An improper roof test is a maximum of 2 - each infraction). Roof and rib tests need to be made only once where the roof is designated as unsafe, caved areas, prior to building a temporary stopping, rebuilding a stopping and at faces. No team member may perform work or move into any area during a team stop until the captain makes the appropriate roof examination for that area. This would include either a sound and vibration method or a visual examination by the captain's physical presence. In an intersection, placards related to roof conditions on imaginary rib lines will be considered as being discovered when the captain enters the intersection. In these cases, the sound and vibration method must be made by the captain prior to any team member leaving the intersection to an 22  unexplored area. Team members may be in the intersection prior to the test being made. (For further guidance, refer to Rule 29). Team members can follow directly behind the captain as the captain makes roof test. (Roof test does not have to be completed for whole area). If it can be done safely, all roof tests shall be made from rib to rib, and the face, roof, and each rib at faces of places. Where conditions permit, the full extent of the condition requiring roof and/or rib tests shall be tested. All roof and rib tests shall be made using the sound and vibration method. No sound and vibration method roof and rib tests are required at the areas of overhanging brows or unsafe ribs. The proper way to make roof tests along an extended area of unsafe roof would be to make roof tests from rib to rib at the outby end of the unsafe roof, zigzag between the edge of the unsafe roof and the adjacent rib, and make tests from rib to rib at the inby end. See Figure 1(a) and 1(b). If an example is not shown in the rules, then a zigzag test will be sufficient. Prior to extinguishing a fire, roof and rib tests shall be made from rib to rib. When a fire is in an intersection, the tests must be made from imaginary rib line to imaginary rib line, perpendicular to the direction of team travel in the area the team member(s) work to extinguish a fire. The initial roof test, prior to extinguishing a fire, will suffice until the team advances (meaning that the No. 5 person passes the fire) or the team retreats and returns to the fire area; at which time a roof test will be required. Thereafter, roof and rib tests perpendicular to the route of travel must also be made prior to each time a team member(s) travels through the area where the fire was located. The entire team traveling through the area as a unit would only require one test. (This test must be made by the captain before any team member travels past the location of the fire.) One test will suffice at each team stop after the fire is extinguished. Roof test of fire at intersection must be perpendicular and from imaginary line to imaginary line. However, a zigzag roof test will be acceptable as an alternative test on subsequent trips through the fire area if a diagonal ventilation structure has been installed. (Diagonal structure will not have to be removed and the test will be comparable to the roof test illustrated for diagonal unsafe roof). The roof and rib test must be made at all fires, including inextinguishable fires. 24. Failure to make necessary gas tests where required, each location 5 23 A. If conditions permit, tests for methane, carbon monoxide, and oxygen deficiency shall be made at each team stop that is required by the problem or rules during initial exploration in unexplored areas and at the following normal/required areas to be tested: all mine entrances; entrances to sections of the mine to be explored; faces; walls of overcasts or undercasts, stoppings, barricades, and seals, (if intact and airtight); all fires; sample pipes or tubes in airtight seals (valves must be opened before testing if closed); open boreholes; exhaust fans and object/condition that prohibits further travel in that direction (including cut into old works, cut into old mine, cut into abandoned mine, etc.). Gas tests made during apparatus checks are not normal areas to be tested. B. Methane, carbon monoxide and oxygen deficiency tests shall be made in each opening to an intersection before the team advances or retreats from that intersection. Gas tests need not be made from rib to rib. Tests may be made at any location in the opening within 25 feet from the original stopping point of the captain or No. 5 team member if conditions permit. Locations or conditions listed in Rule 24A that require a gas test will suffice for the gas test requirement for the opening. In order to properly check an opening, mine entrance, or section entrance, the gas detecting instruments used shall be extended inby the imaginary line of the rib lines of the openings or entrances. This also applies to all openings, tying back past the imaginary rib lines previously explored. However, openings or entrances containing unsafe roof, caved areas, water over knee deep from rib to rib at or outby the imaginary line to the opening shall be tested immediately outby the condition. Teams passing an opening without first checking that opening and making necessary gas test’s, shall be discounted. Teams advancing inby an opening to a point that the No. 5 team member is at or inby the rib will be considered to have passed that opening. C. Teams must check all entrances to the area to be explored prior to the entire team going underground or inby the fresh-air base. Entrances may be checked in air clear of smoke without the use of a lifeline so long as the entire team does not go underground or inby the fresh-air base. The captain shall not advance more than 25 feet inby the imaginary line of the opening prior to the entire team advancing underground or inby the fresh-air base. D. The constituents of the air enclosed by separations intended or indicated to be airtight will be considered unknown and must be determined by the 24  Captain before other team members enter such area. Actual constituents may be indicated by the use of placards. If a stopping has a hole in it, a gas test is not required prior to entry. E. When smoke is encountered, it will be considered to extend to a placard stating the “end of smoke” or a separation intended or indicated to be airtight. If methane, carbon monoxide, or oxygen deficiency is found in an opening containing a separation intended or indicated to be airtight, the gas will be considered to extend to the airtight separation or to a gas placard indicating a change in the gas constituents. If methane carbon monoxide, or oxygen deficiency is encountered in other locations, it will be considered to extend to a gas placard indicating a change in the gas constituents or the next normal/required area to be tested for that gas, depending on direction of team travel, at which time the continuance or discontinuance of the gas will be determined by gas placard or by results of the tests. If gas is intended to extend into inaccessible areas, both placards must be side by side immediately outby the inaccessible condition. See Figure 4. Methane, carbon monoxide and oxygen quantities will be shown on all gas placards. The order of the gases shown on the placards will be methane first, carbon monoxide second, and oxygen third (example see below). Air clear placards will not be used. % CH4 PPM CO % O2 F. Areas in which gas tests have been performed need not be retested when a team re-enters the area unless ventilation has been changed. Upon re- entry into any area where the ventilation has been changed, including subsequent ventilation changes, teams shall make examinations for methane carbon monoxide, and oxygen deficiency at the location of all placards where any of these gases were encountered on the initial exploration into the area. These tests shall be made prior to the entire team passing the initial location of the placard. Tests are not required at other locations upon re-entry. Areas that are affected by ventilation changes but not re-entered by a team need not be retested. 25. Improper procedure when testing with gas detectors. 2 maximum at each required location not to exceed 10 total per problem. 25  A proper test for methane, carbon monoxide and oxygen shall require the following actions by the team: METHANE - Detector shall be held at eye level or higher CARBON MONOXIDE - Detector shall be held at chest (between neck and waist) level OXYGEN DEFICIENCY - Detector shall be held below the waist level The team member shall verbally identify each test. E. Miscellaneous 26. Failure of team captain to legibly mark date, initials, and team number on the check board at mine portal or fresh-air base after the timing device is started, each omission 2 Captain must legibly mark date, initials, and team number on check board after clock is started but before the entire team travels inby the fresh airbase. Team number means the team's working position number drawn during registration at the Contest. 27. Failure of the captain to mark legibly, with chalk, the date and his/her initials at the following locations: barricades, stoppings, ventilation doors, seals, walls of overcasts and undercasts, the location of all faces, bodies, live persons, outer door of refuge alternatives and points where objects/conditions prohibit further travel in that direction, 2 (not to exceed 12 points) These dates and initials must be marked at each required location, during the initial exploration, before the team advances or retreats from that area. Dates and initials are not required if the live person or body cannot be reached due to the conditions of the mine. The captain must mark the date and his/her initials at team/backup team- built stoppings, at each location where they are constructed, and after the building process has begun, but before the clock is stopped or the stopping is moved. Such places only need to be marked once. Date and initials are not required at ventilation controls completely destroyed and backside of ventilation controls that are breached or when traveling through door in stoppings and overcasts. Date means correct month, day, and year. Dates and initials are not to be placed on placards, but at the location. 26 28. Failure of teams to stop within 50 feet of the fresh-air base to check team members and apparatus 4 The first examination must be made when the team is stopped within the first 50 feet, and with all team members underground or inby the fresh-air base to check apparatus. This examination must be made at the first stop when the entire team is inby fresh-air base or portal even though the 50-foot limit has not been reached. This examination is also required on the affected apparatus upon initial re- entry inby the fresh-air base after such apparatus has been repaired or changed. The team captain shall not exceed 50 feet; however, all team members must be underground, inby the fresh-air base or bottom of air shaft. When the team enters the mine through an air shaft, this examination must be made at the bottom of the air shaft. 29. Any team member traveling more than 25 feet from the captain or No. 5 team member's original stopping point, each infraction 2 During initial exploration, when a team advances into an intersection and makes a team stop, exploration into the openings will be limited to 25 feet from the captain or No. 5 team member’s original stopping point or to the imaginary line of the next intersection, whichever is the lesser distance. (The Captain’s stopping point cannot be inby the imaginary line of the next intersection.) See Figure 5. All placards that require an immediate action in an intersection must be addressed prior to any team member breaking the imaginary rib line(s) of an opening off the intersection. An immediate action is defined as objects or conditions that the team would be discounted for passing if the captain passes the placard such as live persons/bodies (Rule 32), fires (Rule 30C), roof test (Rule 23) and objects or conditions that make it a withdrawal situation (Rule 31B). Teams that encounter an object or condition in an intersection that requires an immediate action should not be discounted for passing the object or condition as long as they address it before breaking the imaginary rib line(s) off the intersection (i.e., timbering to potentially live persons). All other action in an intersection such as dates and initials, gas test, examining lunch pails, etc. need not be addressed before breaking the plane but before team leaves that team stop. (If a body is under unsafe roof in an intersection, Rule 32 applies). Before advancing into an unexplored intersection, teams will be required to explore all accessible areas at each team stop up to the imaginary line of the 27  next intersection or to an object/condition that prohibits further travel in that direction. See Figure 5. This includes initial exploration into all entries from the fresh air base/surface/bottom of shaft. When the captain enters the intersection, the intersection is considered to be explored unless there are objects or conditions that prohibit the captain from seeing the entire intersection such as caved areas, water over knee deep or an intact diagonal ventilation structures/barricade. If a team leaves an intersection/team stop prior to exploring all accessible areas at that team stop, the team must return to that team stop and complete the exploration prior to advancing to the next intersection/team stop. At any team stop, travel will be limited to 25 feet from the captain or No. 5 team member’s original stopping point. However, if either the Captain or the No. 5 Team Member’s stopping point is in the Fresh Air Base the team members can travel the entire Fresh Air Base and up to the imaginary line of the first intersection inby the Fresh Air Base. The 25-foot limit shall also apply when the team is attached to the lifeline. 30. Captain or other team member who acts to endanger self, briefing officer or patient, 5 points each team member or patient, each infraction maximum 15 points each occurrence 5 (except Part F) Each team member that endangers self will be assessed points for each endangerment (when less than three members are involved as described below): A. Travel under unsafe roof, unsafe rib, or overhanging brow. Teams supporting unsafe roof: (See figures 2 (a) and 2 (b)). 1. If both ends of the unsafe roof have been previously tested by sound and vibration method, timbers must be set in sequence as follows: a. set first timber outby unsafe roof no more than 5 feet from a safe rib (see figure 2a) or set two timbers outby unsafe roof no more than 5 feet apart staying between the timbers being set if there is no safe rib (see figure 2a). b. set additional timbers in unsafe roof at no more than five- foot intervals and no more than 5 feet from a safe rib or set two timbers inby the previously set timbers at no more than 5 feet apart if there is no safe rib staying between the 2 rows of timbers being set. 28  c. set last timber inby unsafe roof not more than 5 feet from the safe rib or set two timbers inby the unsafe roof at no more than 5 feet apart if there is no safe rib staying between the 2 rows of timbers being set before any other work is done (except for recovering patient found in the unsafe roof) or team passes through the area. d. teams cannot use timbers that are found already set or that have been set by another team as one or more of the required timbers. If team subsequently travel through the area, they must stay between the row of timbers they previously set and the safe rib or the two rows of timbers they previously set. 2. If neither end of the unsafe roof has been examined by the sound and vibration method, roof testing and timbers must be set in sequence as follows: a. test roof on outby end of unsafe roof (Rule 23) b. set first timber outby unsafe roof no more than 5 feet from a safe rib (see figure 2a) or set two timbers outby unsafe roof no more than 5 feet apart staying between the timbers being set if there is no safe rib (see figure 2a). c. set additional timbers in unsafe roof at no more than five-foot intervals and no more than 5 feet from a safe rib (see figure 2a) or set two timbers inby the previously set timbers at no more than 5 feet apart if there is no safe rib staying between the 2 rows of timbers being set (see figure 2a). d. set last timber inby unsafe roof not more than 5 feet from the safe rib or second row of timbers if there is no safe rib before any other work is done (except for recovering patient found in the unsafe roof) or team passes through the area. e. test roof on inby end of unsafe roof before any other work is done (except for recovering patient found in the unsafe roof) or team passes through the area. (Rule 23) Outby/inby verbiage is interchangeable depending on the direction the unsafe roof is approached. 29  If team subsequently travel through the area, they must stay between the row of timbers they previously set and the safe rib or between the two rows of timbers they previously set. This will apply to intersections as well as entry and crosscuts. 3. If supporting elongated unsafe roof along a safe rib: a. the captain can choose to set timbers parallel to a safe rib by setting first timber outby the unsafe roof no more than 5 feet from a safe rib and then setting timbers no more than 5 feet intervals in the unsafe roof staying between the row of timbers and the safe rib (see figure 3 right side of page). b. or timber perpendicular to the rib by setting two timbers outby the unsafe roof no more than 5 feet apart staying between the timbers and then set two timbers in the unsafe roof staying between the two rows of timbers. (See figure 3 left side of page). This method must be used if there is no safe rib. (i.e., unsafe roof that wraps around a corner in an intersection and the team needs to access the area or the corner). B. Travel into or through caved areas or water over knee deep. When water is encountered, the extent of the water will be denoted by placards. C. Passing a fire in the same opening or intersection the team is traveling without first extinguishing the fire. D. Not immediately retreating to the fresh-air base when the manufacturer's warning device of the apparatus is activated. If visual contact has been made with a patient, the patient may be removed simultaneously with the team. (No additional work such as setting/retrieving timbers or the completion of building any structure can be done to rescue the patient.) The team may perform gas test, roof and rib test and D&I’s at such location but may not advance inby the captain’s location at the time of the activation or simulation. a. The activation of the warning whistle will require the team to return to the fresh-air base and change out the apparatus or bottle. If the activation of the warning whistle is a simulated event, the team may simulate replacement (may verbally state changing bottle). Upon re-entry, the 50-foot apparatus check must be made. 30  E. Removing any roof support that is set, whether found or installed by the team. F. Ventilating an unexplored area with irrespirable air when the location of a potentially live person is unknown. Any unaccounted-for person is considered to be a potentially live person. If a team explores all sides of overcasts or undercasts, all ends of ventilation tubes and the bottom of shafts, the in-between areas are considered explored. This discount will be assessed for each irrespirable mixture passed over each unexplored area (# of mixtures x # of areas x 5-point discount x # of unaccounted for persons (maximum 3 persons). When a body is located in an area of elongated or diagonal unsafe roof and the team finds and maps the body, the location of the body will be considered known. This will apply even if there are conditions that prevent the captain from physically examining the body. G. Ventilating over an inextinguishable fire. H. Ventilating irrespirable atmosphere over the briefing officers designated location; The atmosphere for the briefing officer shall remain respirable. This cannot be achieved by the use of an apparatus or SCSR. The briefing officer cannot be relocated at the fresh-air base to allow irrespirable air to flow across his designated location. 31. Any act by a team which may result in an explosion of an explosive air/gas mixture 30 This discount will be assessed for each explosive mixture passed over each unexplored area or ignition source (# of mixtures x # of areas x 30-point discount). A. Changing conditions of the mine ventilation system in such a manner that an explosive mixture is moved over an ignition source. B. Continuing exploration after conditions are found to indicate an imminent explosion is possible by the presence of an explosive mixture and evidence of fire (visual acknowledgment of a fire, smoke or carbon monoxide above 10 ppm), or continuing exploration when energized electrical equipment, energized circuits (including all batteries except cap light batteries) or energized cables are found in an explosive mixture. Teams will be discounted under this rule if they continue to explore (breaking the imaginary lines of the intersection) if a withdrawal 31  situation is found in the intersection. However, teams will be required to map all objects and conditions in the intersection that can be seen. (Rule 29, 4th paragraph) Where a withdraw situation exists, the team can go to any location they have already explored at that stop, prior to exiting the mine. The key phrase in this paragraph is “at that stop.” Teams will not be required to perform roof and rib tests or take gas tests where a withdrawal situation is encountered. Teams will not be allowed to extinguish a fire where a withdrawal situation is encountered. A team must continue to explore if it knows there is a continuous non- explosive separation between the explosive mixture and the evidence of fire or energized cables. C. Changing conditions of the mine ventilation in such a manner that an explosive mixture is moved over an unexplored area. If a team explores all sides of overcasts or undercasts, all ends of ventilation tubes and the bottom of shafts, the in-between areas are considered explored. D. Changing conditions of the mine ventilation in such a manner that an explosive mixture is moved over fire, energized electrical equipment, energized electrical circuits (including all batteries except cap light batteries) or energized cables. Energizing electrical equipment, electrical circuits, or cables in an explosive mixture, or moving any of the above ignition sources into an explosive mixture. An explosive mixture will be present when the methane is between five and fifteen percent inclusively and the oxygen is 12.1 percent or greater. Carbon monoxide, methane and oxygen concentrations will be shown on all gas placards. 32. Failure to locate missing persons, each omission 10 The team must stop and the captain examine, by touching with his or her hand, all missing persons (live persons or body) prior to any team member passing the location of the missing person. This will not be considered a team stop by the rules for the purpose of gas testing. If the Captain cannot physically examine a missing person located under elongated or diagonal unsafe roof due to a lack of roof support, a team stop will not be required. If the team has roof supports (timbers) with them then the captain must timber to the person and examine it before passing it. 32  If roof support is provided, bodies located under unsafe roof must be examined before the clock is stopped and after all missing persons have been accounted for. See Figure 3. The emphasis is that bodies will not be timbered to until all missing persons have been found. Teams should not be discounted if a body is encountered while timbering through an area of unsafe roof in order to ventilate through the unsafe roof. If all missing persons are not found, teams will not be required to timber to bodies. 33. Failure to bring live person to the fresh-air base, each omission 20 Self-explanatory 34. Failure to properly protect a live or potentially live person(s), each omission 10 Proper protection must be used on persons exposed to or found in irrespirable atmospheres. Atmospheres containing less than 19.5 percent oxygen, concentrations of carbon monoxide in excess of 50 PPM or smoke are irrespirable atmospheres. In an irrespirable atmosphere, patient must be protected by an approved breathing apparatus prior to being moved from that location. An unconscious patient must be protected by an approved breathing apparatus or device with full face piece. On a conscious person, if conditions permit, an approved breathing apparatus or self-rescuer may be donned by the patient with the assistance of the team. Training models may be used if sterilized and properly assembled. Simulation of proper donning of approved respiratory apparatus shall not be permitted. 35. Failure to remove irrespirable atmosphere 30 If an irrespirable atmosphere is encountered immediately outby an airtight barricade the team must remove the irrespirable atmosphere before breaching the barricade. If an irrespirable atmosphere is encountered immediately outby an airtight ventilation structure and verbal contact is made with patient, the team must remove the irrespirable atmosphere before breaching the structure. The exception is if both sides of the airtight barricade or airtight ventilation structure have been made (explored) and removing the barricade or airtight ventilation structure would not violate other rules it would not be necessary to remove the irrespirable atmosphere before breaching the structure. 36. Refuge Alternative; Teams will be discounted under rule 24 for gas tests and/or rule 34 for failure to properly protect patient(s) and/or rule 44 for failure to properly examine. 33  When a team finds a refuge alternative, the team must enter the refuge alternative at the same team stop by the following method: Whether the atmosphere outside is respirable or irrespirable, the captain must open the outer door and take a gas test in the airlock prior to any other team member entering the airlock. The team (2 members, the Captain and another team member) may enter into the airlock, close the outer door. If the air inside the airlock is respirable, the team may open the inner door and the captain must take another gas test prior to any other team member entering the area. If the atmosphere inside the airlock is irrespirable, the team will use the purge valve (placard) for 5 seconds to clear the airlock. The captain will then take a gas test to determine that the irrespirable atmosphere is cleared. The captain will then open the inner door and take a gas test prior to any other team member entering the area. If the atmosphere outside the refuge alternative is irrespirable, the patient must be protected with an approved breathing apparatus before being removed from the refuge alternative. Team members entering the airlock may drop their lifeline at the refuge alternative door (even in smoke) so an airtight airlock is maintained and allow them to move around in the refuge alternative. If smoke is present outside the refuge alternative, once the patient is removed (placed on stretcher if unconscious), team members must immediately reattach themselves to the lifeline. Objects other than the person or bodies inside the refuge alternative will not need be mapped. Orientation of person or bodies will not need to be mapped as they are found because of limited space of the enclosed refuge alternative. If the live person is unconscious, they may be moved outside the refuge alternative before being placed on a stretcher. If a team must leave this team stop prior to entering the refuge alternative to return to the FAB, i.e., apparatus failure, take other patients out, etc., the team must return to this team stop and enter the refuge alternative prior to advancing to the next intersection/team stop (See Rule 29 4th paragraph). 37. Team member talking to or receiving information from an unauthorized person without permission of the judges, each infraction 5 34  Unauthorized information given to the team by the patient would be prohibited. A person behind a barricade, stopping, etc. may relay information by reading aloud a statement furnished by the judges. No other information on conditions behind the barricade is permitted to be relayed to the team. 38. Failure to follow proper procedure when putting apparatus on patient, each infraction 2 Mask tightness test is not required for an unconscious patient. 39. Assistance lent by supposedly unconscious patient, each infraction 2 Examples such as patient sitting up unassisted or moving arms so as to help in putting on apparatus, or unconscious patient communicating with team. Once any patient is brought to the fresh air base, he/she can remove his/her breathing apparatus and turn it off but cannot assist in reloading the stretcher. 40. Teams leaving patient unattended, each infraction 6 A team member must be within 10 feet of the patient to be considered attended. 41. Failure to remove patient(s) promptly to the fresh-air base, each infraction 6 points maximum per location. A. When a team finds a patient(s), either by visual or verbal contact, every effort must be made to remove them safely and promptly to the fresh-air base. Visual contact will require the captain's presence in the area. Verbal contact is any voice communication from the patient(s) that can reasonably be expected to be heard by the team. Maximum of one (1) live person may be found in each refuge alternative. B. When a team reaches a patient(s) (visual contact), every effort must be made to remove them safely and promptly to the fresh-air base. Exploring ahead of the location will be limited to 25 feet in any direction. The 25-foot limit will be determined from the stopping point of the captain and the No. 5 team member at that team stop at or outby the patient(s). Once a team reaches a patient(s), (visual contact), the team may perform any function during this team stop; however, teams will not be allowed to build ventilation controls, timber unsafe roof (except to comply with Rule 30A) or pump water unless necessary to recover the patient(s). The team may not continue to explore while exiting with the patient, unless 35  required by the problem design. Once the team starts to exit the mine with a patient(s) the team must continue directly to the fresh air base or surface before retrieving other patient(s). C. If the team is in verbal or visual contact with a patient, and the team is unable to immediately reach the patient due to the conditions of the mine, the team may continue to explore if necessary for its own or the patient’s safety. During this exploration process, the team may perform any function during team stops. Every patient shall be safely and promptly removed from the mine as soon as means and/or materials are available. 1. If a team finds a patient(s) under or inby an area of unsafe roof and has the necessary roof support available to recover the patient(s), the team must stop and recover the patient. If a team subsequently finds necessary roof support to recover the patient(s), the team must stop (prior to the No. 5 team member passing the roof support), retrieve the roof support and recover the patient(s). The team may perform any function during this team stop; however, teams will not be allowed to build ventilation controls, timber unsafe roof (except to comply with Rule 30A) or pump water unless necessary to recover the patient(s). 2. If a team finds a patient(s) inby an area of water over knee deep and has a pump available to pump the water, the team must stop and recover the patient. If a team subsequently finds a pump, the team must stop (prior to the No. 5 team member passing the pump), retrieve the pump, pump the water, and recover the patient(s). The team may perform any function during this team stop; however, teams will not be allowed to build ventilation controls, timber unsafe roof (except to comply with Rule 30A), or pump water unless necessary to recover the patient(s). Exploration may continue, if necessary, to ventilate an explosive mixture prior to energizing the pump. Teams should not be discounted for not timbering through unsafe roof or pumping water over knee deep unless there is a verbal response behind that condition. 42. Failure to erect temporary stopping (airlock) when necessary, each infraction 6 Before breaching airtight separations such as: stoppings, doors, seals, barricades, or removing water roofed, an airlock must be formed if conditions on the other side are unknown. When retreating out of a barricade or coming back through a stopping where an airlock has been erected, it will not be 36  necessary to airlock on the way out if this will not change any existing ventilation. If a person behind the barricade, stopping, etc. verbally relays to the team that the area is “airtight”, an airlock is not required. A refuge alternative is considered to be airtight and is equipped with an airlock therefore no airlock is required to breach the refuge alternative. An airlock is formed by erecting a temporary stopping at a location(s) that will provide the equivalent airtight separation as the airtight structure or condition breached by the team. An equivalent airtight separation would require an airlock built for each airtight structure removed within one crosscut. An equivalent airtight separation must also be maintained when pumping water roofed. If the water roofed is in an entry or crosscut one build is required; a 3-way intersection two builds are required; a 4-way intersection three builds are required. If there are two sides blocked, one airlock is needed. If there are three sides blocked, two airlocks are needed. If four sides are blocked, three airlocks are needed. This is the minimum requirements for a solid line map and may not prevent air movement on a dotted line map. When airlocking under an overcast when conditions are unknown, teams will be required to build immediately inby and outby the overcast prior to opening the door of the overcast. When airlocking over an overcast with a door when conditions under the overcast are unknown, teams will be required to build in an entry or crosscut on both sides of the overcast prior to opening the door, depending on orientation of overcast walls. See Figure 6. 43. Failure to erect temporary stopping, reasonably airtight, each infraction 2 Materials used to erect temporary stoppings shall be installed and or constructed as intended by problem design. If a structure is moved from one location to another, it must be completely dismantled prior to moving. 44. Failure of team to explore or examine workings systematically and thoroughly, each omission 4 Definitions: Inaccessible: All areas of the mine where team travel is blocked by one or more of the following conditions: seals; unsafe roof rib to rib; inextinguishable fires; water over knee deep, caved areas and cut into old works. Other terms such as “not bolted” or “unsupported top”, etc. should not be used, only the conditions used in the legend. 37 Opening: Any entry or mining that was performed off an entry, room, or crosscut that may or may not connect to another entry, room, or crosscut. Crosscut: An opening that connects two entries. Contaminant: Any one or more of the following: smoke; carbon monoxide above 10 PPM; methane above one percent; or less than 19.5 percent oxygen. An entry or crosscut will be considered contaminated until the team finds the end of the contaminant. A. This should be assessed for not exploring all areas of mine that can be explored without endangering team if problem requires entire mine to be explored or leaving accessible areas unexplored outby where team is working and for passing accessible openings. B. Unless blocked, teams must advance in the contaminated entry or in entries adjacent to the contaminated entry. When a contaminated entry and adjacent entries are blocked, teams may explore/advance in other nearest accessible entries. However, the team will be discounted if it fails to return to the contaminated or adjacent entry at the first open crosscut, and if not blocked, make all further explorations in the contaminated or adjacent entries before advancing into other areas of the mine. If the team encounters contaminants in multiple entries, the team has the option of which entry to examine first. As the team advances into a contaminated entry and subsequently encounters a placard(s) indicating that all contaminants are cleared prior to reaching an intersection, the team must make further advances in the other contaminated or adjacent entry. C. When advancing in an entry and an intersection is encountered with open crosscuts on both sides, the team would be required to tie across into the contaminated crosscut first unless the team is required to return to a contaminated entry. If the team encounters a contaminant in both crosscuts, the team has the option of which crosscut to examine first. D. Passing or failing to explore an open crosscut. Team would be required to travel into this opening and tie across into the next intersection. Teams cannot advance from this intersection before tying outby unless the outby entry is blocked. Teams tying outby, when ope