Chilean miners being rescued....

46er

Piney
Mar 24, 2004
8,837
2,144
Coastal NJ
Nine have been brought to the surface, it takes about 1 hour per person. I can't imagine what these guys went thru; being over 2000 feet below the surface for close to 3 months, the longest anyone has ever spent trapped below ground, an amazing story.
 

gipsie

Explorer
Sep 14, 2008
548
67
56
atlantic county
I saw the first one come out last night. It is really amazing! I can't even begin to imagine that experience.

I have a question though. As I was watching it last night, I heard them say this:

"The strongest miners will get out first. Then the sick ones. Last will be those considered brave and mentally sound enough to be left behind for a few extra hours in the subterranean cavern that has been their prison for more than two months. "

Does anyone understand this? I would think that they would bring the sick and weak ones out first.
 

imkms

Explorer
Feb 18, 2008
603
242
SJ and SW FL
I saw the first one come out last night. It is really amazing! I can't even begin to imagine that experience.

I have a question though. As I was watching it last night, I heard them say this:

"The strongest miners will get out first. Then the sick ones. Last will be those considered brave and mentally sound enough to be left behind for a few extra hours in the subterranean cavern that has been their prison for more than two months. "

Does anyone understand this? I would think that they would bring the sick and weak ones out first.

They decided to bring out only a few of the strongest first so that if problems happened on the way out, these miners would better suited to deal with the problems. Clearing rock, etc After they were rescued the weaker ones would then follow and then the remaining stronger ones.
 
Jul 12, 2006
1,351
341
Gloucester City, NJ
... correct and the sick/weaker ones would be brought out 2nd. The reason for the 3rd set needing to be of strong mind and body is that they wanted the last to be mentally stable and not freaking out when seeing others lifted out with them still remaining. Apparently, there's a bunch of mental concerns the authorities have due to situation they've endured and the thoughts of being rescued.
 

gipsie

Explorer
Sep 14, 2008
548
67
56
atlantic county
It is wild to see how every culture/area deals with a situation. I was thinking a lot about this today. My first thought was to get the sickly/week out. But then again I never had to deal with so much.
When we switched from "rescue" to "recovery" at the WTC, we often talked about what we would do if, perchance, we ran across someone who had been under ground for months. There was little to no hope there, but....

I wil tell you..OTJ, the mentality was always to get the weaker out first, I couldn't even pervceive if the way they are doin it, lol.....

Who cares??? Get them OUT!!!!!!!!!!
 

46er

Piney
Mar 24, 2004
8,837
2,144
Coastal NJ
Besides the fantastic story of the rescue, I was very impressed by the obvious pride the Chileans have for their country. Hopefully those rescued don't get sucked into the TV circuit, but a well written book on their collective story would be nice.
 
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