English Coal Mining History at the NCMME
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Self rescuer
© National Coal Mining Museum for England (Photo: National Coal Mining Museum for England)
© National Coal Mining Museum for England (Photo: National Coal Mining Museum for England)
Every working miner going underground would carry a self-rescuer which would be used to help them breathe in the event of an underground fire. The self-rescuer works by converting poisonous carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide. A miner must adhere to strict rules when working underground, such as no smoking, and carrying no matches, due to the explosive gases that may be present.
When visitors to the Museum's underground tour enter the lamp room to pick up their battery pack and lamp they are expected to go through the same process as a miner has to. Anyone entering a mine is told to leave items on the surface that may be a danger if taken underground. These items are known as contraband goods and include items such as matches, batteries and lighters, anything which might make a spark.
When visitors to the Museum's underground tour enter the lamp room to pick up their battery pack and lamp they are expected to go through the same process as a miner has to. Anyone entering a mine is told to leave items on the surface that may be a danger if taken underground. These items are known as contraband goods and include items such as matches, batteries and lighters, anything which might make a spark.