Mineshaft air monitors

Fyreman

Observer
When you have a low O2 you should be extremely concerned. Not just the asphyxiation aspect but what is displacing the other 4/5th of the atmosphere is my first thought. Can/will my meter read it.
 

Arclight

SAR guy
When you have a low O2 you should be extremely concerned. Not just the asphyxiation aspect but what is displacing the other 4/5th of the atmosphere is my first thought. Can/will my meter read it.

This is a good point. In natural caves, it's _usually_ CO2 that's displacing the O2 due to decay and oxidation processes. Most portable meters do not read CO2 because it requires a special instrument that detects infrared absorption. It's not a drop-in sensor like the other gases.

If none of the other gas sensors show anything, you can do a not-very-scientific test of the CO2 level with a Bic lighter. Elevated CO2 will make the flame change - you'll see a larger and larger gap between the base of the flame and the lighter as the CO2 concentration increases.

Obviously, this is totally not approved for firemen and confined space folks. And you would never want to try this in a potentially flammable environment like a coal mine or tank, or where something unnatural might be leaking and causing problem.


Here's a paper on bad air in caves that goes over this technique:

http://www.karstportal.org/sites/karstportal.org/files/CO2 Flame as published in Helictite.pdf

Arclight
 

spunky2268

Adventurer
Mark,
You will note all over this site that people spend hundreds if not thousands of dollars on overland gear and kit for related hobbies. Arclight and Fyreman speak the truth. If your serious about getting into unseen places, you should drop the coin on a good monitor. We use AreaRAE monitors, among several other types, in the US&R system. Our "canary" is a hazmat technician or specialist with the monitor attached to their body. Their whole purpose is to make sure the space is safe for us to work in or search. Even then, God blinks. Our people have been burned, gotten sick, and our K-9's have gotten sick from the crap found in confined spaces. Despite having the hazmat folks there, they even teach us lowly medical specialists how to use the monitors; it's that important. Stay safe and enjoy the hobby.
 

lucygray

New member
hello everyone,
I generally use MultiRAE Lite when i work in a mine or in confined space. It is a multi portable gas detector with wide range of capability . I am using this since last year and is working fine.
 

Arclight

SAR guy
FYI, there are some nice used units on eBay right now from RKI. Most of them have a bad O2 and are out of warranty, but can be brought into service for around $150. PM if you need a contact to get one set up and calibrated. I personally think it's worth the cost to keep one.

Arclight
 

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