The Mine Act requires that every operator of an underground mine assure the availability of mine rescue teams for purposes of emergency rescue and recovery of trapped or injured miners. Mine rescue contests and simulations are an essential part of the training process, and ensure that teams receive hands-on exposure to a range of potential hazards and mine emergency scenarios.
Throughout history, mine rescue has been a priority, making every possible effort to locate and rescue miners in case of disaster. In the third year of the Bureau of Mines, mine officials, operators and miners held the first mine rescue contests in various states. In 1915, the Bureau aided in 47 contests. These contests aided materially in creating interest in first-aid. Another result was the Bureau’s work on preparation of regulations for mine-rescue maneuvers and first-aid and mine-rescue contests in which breathing apparatus, safety lamps, and other safety appliances were to be used.