Design Probabilities

probabilities of design

The product I will end up with can be many things: can be used by the rescuers or the victims to rescue themselves, also can be something that helps directly or indirectly, also the research is gonna mark if will be a specific product or a system/service.
It's time to think more who is gonna be my target!  I need to make an analysis of all the problems I found before but I am starting to realize in what kind of product I will end up, so it is not important to decide specifically right now it will be better after my research analysis next week probably.

robot- The loper

Also more info of what already exist today in a rescue terms with robots.

Robo-Rescue, Scooping People Out Of Harms Way

Robo-Rescue in Japan

Only in japan would firefighters have a robot to help with rescues. The robot can be used as a rescue robot for people who are unconscious from a fire or to pickup casualties. I think this idea can be very useful for mining rescue with fire.

Enryu returns to battle blizzards

"Enryu" the rescue robot

Enryu the 5-ton, 11.5-foot rescue robot designed by Japan's Tmsuk -- the fearless bot was being tested for deployment to earthquake zones. Now the iron giant has a new mission: rescuing survivors of avalanches and other winter disasters (Japan is currently going through one of its worst winters on record). The bot's hydraulic arms have a 16-foot span, and can lift over 1,000 pounds. In a test, Enryu was able to lift a car out of deep snow and wipe snow and ice off of rooftops. 


This is just an example of robots that rescue in different environments, I think this robot has no really an aesthetic design but it works very well, for me could be a good reference and idea of autonomous robots/machines for this project, I guess the most important thing is: do not put on risk the miner's lives in an emergency situation that's why this can of robots exist. I guess a robot which can be operated in distance would be very practical and efficient in terms of mining rescue. 

Analysis of the most relevant accidents in mines

Analysis of the most relevant accidents in mines

After I've been researching and describing all the most relevant accidents in mines, I made this graphic to compare fatality and how often the accidents happens.

this is my conclusion for them:

the yellow line reflects the Non Fatal accidents but rarely happen. (it does not make sense to try in here).

the red line says how the stupidest accidents occurs but they are not fatal ones, an example can be an small accident with a common tool. (this one also does make me feel that it is very important to develop it).

the blue line stands out how safe the machinery is. (so the problem is not on the machinery).

the purple line indicates how the explosions and inundations (not only water can be gases too) can be very fatal but they are not the most frequently ones (I think in here there's something interesting to explore).

and finally the green line indicates what are the most common and fatal accidents that we highlight most part of the time they are caused by external factors (can be nature or oversight) because the maintenance of the machinery is good but some human mistakes causes them. (here I believe is a great opportunity because of the risk and its frequently) 

Communication rescue kit

Suitable for Three Rescuers: Two Entrants / One Attendant; The Mine Rescue Kit is designed for: Mine Rescue and Confined Space Rescue The Mine Rescue Kit is a two-way communications system designed to provide full duplex voice communication to each member of a mine rescue team.  The system is designed for one attendant and two entrants, but can be expanded to five entrants.  The Kit comes with 1000 feet of communications cable that can be quickly deployed and managed with the Cable Reel.  The cable splitter allows the Rescuers to fan out 10 to 15 feet in either direction and still maintain voice communications. (communication between the rescue crew is vital for this project because they work in team)

Trauma first AID kit

Trauma first AID kit

This unit is an all-in-one first aid kit which splits into two separate units. One half of the box contains Splinting and transport items while the other half contains Trauma and Airway related items.

Principles of mine rescue

principles of mine rescue

In this link I found a lots of information about the procedures and roles of the miners in different accident cases. 

MSA Thermal Imaging Cameras

Thermal Imaging Camera

The MSA Thermal Imaging Camera is a self-contained, battery-operated unit incorporating a miniature display monitor. It is intended primarily for use as a firefighting aid, giving good quality thermal pictures through dense smoke where normal vision is impossible.

The CAREvent Ventilator

The CAREvent Ventilator

The CAREvent Ventilator is lightweight and portable, this unit provides a safe and effective means of providing demand breathing or artificial ventilation to casualties suffering respiratory difficulties or cardiac arrest. The ventilator is pneumatic (i.e. no batteries required) and gives breath by breath consistency in delivered tidal volume, frequency, and flow rates.
This kind of products are commonly used in mine rescue operations. They are used by the victims but brought by the rescuers.

Immediately reportable accidents and injuries.

1. A death of an individual at a mine;
2. An injury to an individual at a mine which has a reasonable potential to cause death;
3. An entrapment of an individual for more than thirty minutes;
4. An unplanned inundation of a mine by a liquid or gas;
5. An unplanned ignition or explosion of gas or dust;
6. An unplanned mine fire not extinguished within 30 minutes of discovery;
7. An unplanned ignition or explosion of a blasting agent or an explosive;
8. An unplanned roof fall at or above the anchorage zone in active workings where roof bolts are in use; or, an unplanned roof or rib fall in active workings that impairs ventilation or impedes passage;
9. A coal or rock outburst that causes withdrawal of miners or which disrupts regular mining activity for more than one hour;
10. An unstable condition at an impoundment, refuse pile, or culm bank which requires emergency action in order to prevent failure, or which causes individuals to evacuate an area; or, failure of an impoundment, refuse pile or culm bank;
11. Damage to hoisting equipment in a shaft or slope which endangers an individual or which interferes with use of the equipment for more than thirty minutes.
12. An event at a mine which causes death or bodily injury to an individual not at the mine at the time the event occurs.

I found this modern regulations based since 1977 by MSHA in the US, it is important because they are the bases for today's procedures.

The Ventstop Ventilation Control Unit

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

The Ventstop Ventilation Control Unit (VCU) is designed to provide a safe, cost-effective and robust alternative to conventional ventilation control for underground mining and tunneling.

The Ventstop is fully portable and inflates in minutes using compressed air and a venturi system. It facilitates blocking off horizontal and/or vertical openings to control dust, fumes, smoke and heat. A control box maintains the internal pressure of the unit over an extended period of time.

I see this product as an inflatable barricade.

Extend Air curtain

Extended air curtain

The ExtendAir Lithium Hydroxide Curtain is a passive CO₂ absorbent that provides rapid CO₂ reduction in enclosed areas = (gives you more oxygen time) When hung up with all sides exposed, the curtain effectively absorbs carbon dioxide out of the air. The unit works so well that it is approved and used by the U.S. Navy for emergency atmospheric control on submarines. This absorbent Curtain does not require electric power to operate. No protective mask or special clothing is required during handling or deployment. Lithium Hydroxide is a highly reactive chemical that generates heat as it comes into contact with carbon dioxide. This heat causes a movement of air around the curtains, facilitating CO₂ absorption. I belive this can be a good solution integrated into the rescue products.

Barricades

barricade example

preparing barricade

In a mine emergency, Barricades are used to close-off or create isolated areas when mine evacuation is not possible. Barricades are designed to be rapidly constructed. Strata Barricades are packaged as a complete kit including all tools required for construction. Many times in case of fire barricades are used to control it, they trap the fire by 2 sides until the oxygen uses up. 

Inflatable refug chamber

Portable fresh air station

inside look

Outside of the box

The Portable Fresh Air Bay is a completely powerless, inflatable refuge chamber that deploys rapidly to provide 96 hours of breathable air to miners trapped underground. High pressure compressed air cylinders inflate and fill the Bay with fresh air. Medical grade oxygen cylinders and a CO₂ scrubber maintain fresh, breathable air inside the chamber. I think this one is a good product but must be reachable for all the miners = it only works if you have many inside of the mine.