# Chilean miners alive and trapped for 4 months **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 23, 2010, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chilean-miners-alive-and-trapped-for-4-months/551173 "2010-08-23T16:53:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Fried\_Dough\_Ho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a88e57/32.png) [@Fried\_Dough\_Ho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fried_Dough_Ho)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2010, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chilean-miners-alive-and-trapped-for-4-months/551173/41 "2010-08-25T06:22:50Z")
Anyone seen the movie [The Blockhouse](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0069803/)? The [Time news story](http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,806023,00.html): > [@](#): > > From Warsaw last week came a story of two more curious survivors of World War II. A six-foot Nazi soldier with a beard reaching to his knees, and another who soon dropped dead of a heart attack, turned up in the village of Babie Doly, 20 miles from Gdynia, claiming that they had been trapped for six years in an underground storehouse. > > The bearded one, no mean storyteller, gave a detailed account to Poland’s Communist authorities, generally no mean storytellers themselves: during the German retreat in 1945, he and five other German soldiers had been looting the store, when German demolition bombs destroyed its entrance and entombed them. Two of the trapped men committed suicide; another two died. The two remaining buried their comrades in piles of flour, lived on the vast stores of food in the bunker, washed in schnapps to conserve the small supply of water which seeped through cracks in the concrete walls. When Polish workers cleared the rubble from the shelter’s entrance, they crawled out. > > Read more: [http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,806023,00.html#ixzz0xb1dYksq](http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,806023,00.html#ixzz0xb1dYksq) ---
**Author:** ![CutterJohn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/91b2a8/32.png) [@CutterJohn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CutterJohn)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2010, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chilean-miners-alive-and-trapped-for-4-months/551173/42 "2010-08-25T07:08:30Z")
So from some fascinating reading for the past hour… -They’ve got access to very large areas outside of the shelter for additional living space and/or disposing of waste products. -They are drilling 3 more tubes in order to increase the supply capacity and provide redundancy -the tubes are 6 inches wide. One of the tubes I’m sure will be used for power/ventilation, as well as communication. It would be trivial to get internet to these guys, and a couple dozen netbooks or tablets modified to make them narrower to fit through the hole. We should contact Apple and see if they can’t quick rig up a bunch of narrow Ipads. Oh, and I’m sure that sending down 33 pay stubs showing VERY hefty balances would do wonders for morale as well. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![lshaw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e36b37/32.png) [@lshaw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lshaw)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2010, 8:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chilean-miners-alive-and-trapped-for-4-months/551173/43 "2010-08-25T08:26:12Z")
I hope there is going to be a happy ending, but 4 months?! I wouldn’t dare to be optimistic… ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2010, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chilean-miners-alive-and-trapped-for-4-months/551173/44 "2010-08-25T12:55:43Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > Communication with the outside world will be enormously important. Not only can they get news of family, they can also get current events so when they get above ground again they won’t be so out of touch, they could get news on their favorite sports teams, all sorts of things that will give them something to discuss which will help pass the time. They might be able to roll up magazies or newspapers and send them down, playing cards, and yes, maybe MP3 players, too. Keeping morale up and preventing mental breakdowns is just as important as food and water Completely agree. Common sense would dictate that retaining some sense of normalcy with respect to their interaction with the outside world is paramount to retaining health and hope. Being aware of current events via the newspaper or some other medium would help demonstrate that time is passing and that scheduled events do progressively get closer and indeed arrive as predicted. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chilean-miners-alive-and-trapped-for-4-months/551173/45 "2010-08-26T17:13:07Z")
They have couched the relatives who are allowed to send messages to them, not to reveal how long they will be there. ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chilean-miners-alive-and-trapped-for-4-months/551173/46 "2010-08-26T17:17:00Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > They have couched the relatives who are allowed to send messages to them, not to reveal how long they will be there. I really don’t get this. I’d want to know. I’d very much want to know. I would be angry at not having been told. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chilean-miners-alive-and-trapped-for-4-months/551173/47 "2010-08-26T17:28:55Z")
That’s interesting; most psychological studies say that people can endure almost anything if they know when it’s going to end. I wonder what’s at play here that they are going a different way with these guys. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chilean-miners-alive-and-trapped-for-4-months/551173/48 "2010-08-26T17:34:29Z")
> [@Frylock](#): > > …I’d want to know. I’d very much want to know. I would be angry at not having been told. Me, too. And I always want the bad news first; the good news is all the sweeter that way! My heart really goes out to these guys, but I suspect that once the rescue effort really picks up steam, they’ll be out sooner than in four months. I sure hope so, at least. ---
**Author:** ![Greenback](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/2bfe46/32.png) [@Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greenback)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chilean-miners-alive-and-trapped-for-4-months/551173/49 "2010-08-26T18:05:11Z")
Has anyone confirmed this story? Or is it staged and will lead to a new reality show. The mining company could probably get their expenses covered by pimping this out. ---
**Author:** ![pbbth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f9ae1b/32.png) [@pbbth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pbbth)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chilean-miners-alive-and-trapped-for-4-months/551173/50 "2010-08-26T18:08:47Z")
I think they aren’t telling them how long it will take because they can’t be sure it will be done in 4 months. If they knew they could be absolutely finished rescuing people by that 4 month mark they would probably be much more likely to tell them how long it will take. ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chilean-miners-alive-and-trapped-for-4-months/551173/51 "2010-08-26T18:25:16Z")
> [@Greenback](#): > > Has anyone confirmed this story? Or is it staged and will lead to a new reality show. The mining company could probably get their expenses covered by pimping this out. _Subterranean Bachelor Pad_? ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chilean-miners-alive-and-trapped-for-4-months/551173/52 "2010-08-26T18:36:40Z")
_The Real World: Copiapo_? More from [CNN.com](http://CNN.com): [Video of trapped Chilean miners shows patriotism and humor - CNN.com](http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/08/26/chile.miners/index.html?hpt=T1). There’s a graphic showing the depth they’re at - almost twice as far down as the height of the Empire State Building. Ugh. I tell ya, I’d be asking within about two minutes of contact being made, “So, I won’t hold you to this, but how long until you think you’ll be able to get us out?” ---
**Author:** ![mnemosyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c4cdca/32.png) [@mnemosyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mnemosyne)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chilean-miners-alive-and-trapped-for-4-months/551173/53 "2010-08-26T22:37:40Z")
Since they were told they would not be out by the 18th of September, but before Christmas, then I’m sure one of the 33 men must have struck upon the idea that “Christmas” was at least the furthest possibility being considered by the rescuers and that they might have to wait that long. This is such an amazing story…it will be fascinating to follow and see how it all turns out. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chilean-miners-alive-and-trapped-for-4-months/551173/54 "2010-08-26T23:27:27Z")
> [@GHO57](#): > > Any idea how long until they evolve to [this](http://screencrave.frsucrave.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/descent2-5me09-01-06.jpg)? It’s probably better to just plug the hole and forget about them, I’ve saw the documentary [Descent](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0435625/), it can get really nasty. If you think ‘The Descent’ (you know, the film you’ve saw?) is a documentary, then you’d be a barrel full of monkeys to be around come April 1. ---
**Author:** ![descamisado](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@descamisado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/descamisado)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chilean-miners-alive-and-trapped-for-4-months/551173/55 "2010-08-26T23:33:17Z")
> [@CutterJohn](#): > > -the tubes are 6 inches wide. > > It would be trivial to get internet to these guys, and a couple dozen netbooks or tablets modified to make them narrower to fit through the hole. We should contact Apple and see if they can’t quick rig up a bunch of narrow Ipads. How about this [computer](http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/11/roll-up-notebook-looks-more-like-a-mini-yoga-mat-than-computer.php) (scroll down to the video)? Now that it’s confirmed that’s there’s more space to spread, etc., I know _I_ can breathe easier. 🙂 > [@Frylock](#): > > I really don’t get this. > > I’d want to know. I’d very much want to know. I would be angry at not having been told. I suspect they may figure it’s better to find a way to prepare them for that information first. I can’t imagine they’d just not tell them – could you imagine the frustration, anger and desperation that would result? ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chilean-miners-alive-and-trapped-for-4-months/551173/56 "2010-08-26T23:37:01Z")
> [@lshaw](#): > > I hope there is going to be a happy ending, but 4 months?! I wouldn’t dare to be optimistic… There eventually would be, except there isn’t enough room for anyone to lie on their back. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chilean-miners-alive-and-trapped-for-4-months/551173/57 "2010-08-26T23:38:03Z")
> [@Frylock](#): > > > [@gonzomax](#): > > > > They have couched the relatives who are allowed to send messages to them, not to reveal how long they will be there. > > I really don’t get this. > > I’d want to know. I’d very much want to know. I would be angry at not having been told. The authorities may not have a definite date for rescue yet. I’m sure there are complex decisions to be made as to where to drill, how wide to make the rescue hole, there could be all manner of unexpected complication (problems with machinery, with what they’re drilling through, whatever). Telling them “You be out by date X” and then blowing the deadline might be more psychologically devastating that not giving them a date. At least, that’s the best I can figure. Maybe someone has a better reason. ---
**Author:** ![sparky\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/77aa72/32.png) [@sparky\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sparky_1)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chilean-miners-alive-and-trapped-for-4-months/551173/58 "2010-08-26T23:45:11Z")
Think context. They work everyday in that mine. If a typical person was grabbed off the street and thrown in with them, then I’d expect serious distress. But these guys work down there for a living. Will being down there for 4 months break some nerves? Probably, but stop thinking of them as being people never before underground. I hope they make it and wish they received the truth. ---
**Author:** ![SciFiSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2010, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chilean-miners-alive-and-trapped-for-4-months/551173/59 "2010-08-27T04:01:31Z")
> [@sparky\_1](#): > > Think context. They work everyday in that mine. > > If a typical person was grabbed off the street and thrown in with them, then I’d expect serious distress. > > But these guys work down there for a living. Will being down there for 4 months break some nerves? Probably, but stop thinking of them as being people never before underground. > > I hope they make it and wish they received the truth. But in the movie version, at least one of them will be a complete newbie on his first day (and one of them will have been on his last day ever down the mine). ---
**Author:** ![Khaki\_Campbell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9de053/32.png) [@Khaki\_Campbell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khaki_Campbell)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2010, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chilean-miners-alive-and-trapped-for-4-months/551173/60 "2010-08-27T05:52:03Z")
How much water does someone need in the desert ? Because down there, it may be as hot. And _constantly_. I guess that supply hole’s main use will be to provide water… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chilean-miners-alive-and-trapped-for-4-months/551173.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chilean-miners-alive-and-trapped-for-4-months/551173.md?page=4)