# 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:** 4
**Author:** ![Arrendajo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Arrendajo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arrendajo)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2010, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chilean-miners-alive-and-trapped-for-4-months/551173/61 "2010-08-27T06:57:38Z")
Why don’t they get Bruce Willis down there? ---
**Author:** ![Ale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@Ale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ale)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2010, 7:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chilean-miners-alive-and-trapped-for-4-months/551173/62 "2010-08-27T07:49:58Z")
> [@Arrendajo](#): > > Why don’t they get Bruce Willis down there? And then plug the hole? Sounds like a good plan! 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2010, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chilean-miners-alive-and-trapped-for-4-months/551173/63 "2010-08-27T13:06:52Z")
> [@Khaki\_Campbell](#): > > 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… It’s about 29ºC (85ºF) down there. Never changes, basically. And they have a water supply down there that they were able to clear access to. If I remember right, it’s an underground creek or river. [Seems they got a camera down to the guys yesterday](http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/L/LT_CHILE_MINE_COLLAPSE?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2010-08-27-06-20-13). You can watch some of the raw video they sent back at that link. Everyone seems okay and in generally good spirits. Fascinating story, and don’t think our military and space sciences aren’t paying attention. This is a really unique event in world history, and I’m sure that there’s gonna be a lot learned about survival psychology and such. I’d bet that some new equipment and procedures come about because of this too. You can bet your ass that people involved in labor movements are watching this closely, too. There’s a lot of talk in many articles about how there aren’t enough mining inspectors in Chile (18 for several hundred mines in the country) and how the workers have been frustrated for years by lax safety measures and equipment. Speaking of which, did anyone notice that the men’s employer isn’t doing a thing to rescue them? The San Esteban Company is claiming that it will likely go bankrupt because of this disaster and they don’t have the money or the equipment to do anything to rescue the miners. I guess their thought was “ah well, if there’s an accident, people will die but it won’t be us so fuck 'em”. Classy. ---
**Author:** ![Peanut\_Gallery](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/838e76/32.png) [@Peanut\_Gallery](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peanut_Gallery)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2010, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chilean-miners-alive-and-trapped-for-4-months/551173/64 "2010-08-28T00:52:39Z")
Terrible stuff. Mining gives me the willies. Thanks to all who do it. I can’t find the article now, but I read one a week or so ago that I could swear said somebody told them “many, many weeks” for rescue. And I did find:[link](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/22/chile-miners-rescued-alive_n_690511.html) “Gomez, 63, appeared to be aware that it will take a long time for rescuers to reach him and his fellow miners. “Even if we have to wait months to communicate. … I want to tell everyone that I’m good and we’ll surely come out OK,” he said.” They are miners, and know what to expect. ---
**Author:** ![palacheck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a88e57/32.png) [@palacheck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/palacheck)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2010, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chilean-miners-alive-and-trapped-for-4-months/551173/65 "2010-08-28T02:27:34Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > I wonder how long until they resort to homosexuality? It’s only 4 months, dude. Remind me NEVER to get trapped in a mine with you. ---
**Author:** ![kushiel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bbce88/32.png) [@kushiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kushiel)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2010, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chilean-miners-alive-and-trapped-for-4-months/551173/66 "2010-09-01T16:28:24Z")
> [@kushiel](#): > > > [@lieu](#): > > > > 4 months… holy freakin’ cow that’ll seem like a lifetime. Hopefully full retirement plans to accompany families and fresh air will be waiting for them topside. > > I don’t know the state of mining in most countries, but I have a feeling that if this wasn’t an international story, they’d probably get a couple days off and sent back into the mine to work. I was too optimistic in the quoted post. [Daily Mail reporting miners not getting paid while stuck in the mine.](http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1307736/Trapped-Chilean-miners-wont-paid-theyre-buried-alive.html?printingPage=true) Yeah, I know, it’s the Daily Mail… ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2010, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chilean-miners-alive-and-trapped-for-4-months/551173/67 "2010-09-01T16:43:29Z")
The latest is the rescue hole will save someone under 36 inches in diameter. Can you imagine if everybody got rescued but you because you were 37 inches? Sorry buddy but you are too fat, you have to stay . What if a guy lies and as they pull him up he gets stuck in the shaft. He would prevent others from being saved and would be stuck there forever. ---
**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:** [September 1, 2010, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chilean-miners-alive-and-trapped-for-4-months/551173/68 "2010-09-01T16:46:37Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > The latest is the rescue hole will save someone under 36 inches in diameter. Can you imagine if everybody got rescued but you because you were 37 inches? Sorry buddy but you are too fat, you have to stay . Hey, if you’re that chunkified, you shouldn’t be crawlin’ around no mine no how. That’s why I never set foot in one. 😃 ---
**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:** [September 1, 2010, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chilean-miners-alive-and-trapped-for-4-months/551173/69 "2010-09-01T17:13:01Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > The latest is the rescue hole will save someone under 36 inches in diameter. Can you imagine if everybody got rescued but you because you were 37 inches? Sorry buddy but you are too fat, you have to stay . > What if a guy lies and as they pull him up he gets stuck in the shaft. He would prevent others from being saved and would be stuck there forever. Well, for others they’d just have to drill another hole. But yes, cavers have gotten stuck in a hole underground and died because they could not be extricated. I imagine it could happen to miners, too. ---
**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:** [September 1, 2010, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chilean-miners-alive-and-trapped-for-4-months/551173/70 "2010-09-01T17:17:10Z")
I can’t have been the only one to think of Winnie the Pooh’s visit to Rabbit… ---
**Author:** ![The\_Scrivener](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@The\_Scrivener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Scrivener)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2010, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chilean-miners-alive-and-trapped-for-4-months/551173/71 "2010-09-03T05:16:11Z")
As the Chilean Miners’ World Turns… [a miner’s wife discovered that her husband has a mistress](http://www.aolnews.com/world/article/drama-above-ground-as-chilean-miners-await-rescue/19618730?icid=main%7Cverizon%7Cdl1%7Csec1_lnk3%7C168154) when the other woman attended a vigil. Oops! I wonder if he now half-hopes he can just stay down there for awhile longer. I bet the Chilean media will have a comedic field day with this. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2010, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chilean-miners-alive-and-trapped-for-4-months/551173/72 "2010-09-03T12:25:37Z")
Leno says that both women face arrest on charges of having sex with a miner. As to the issue of girth vs hole diameter, some protocol will surely be put in place regarding their order of extraction. It would seem near impossible that consideration as to size would not come into play. In fact, perhaps it should be the overwhelming concern, followed by overall health, age, etc. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2010, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chilean-miners-alive-and-trapped-for-4-months/551173/73 "2010-09-05T22:29:58Z")
They have 4 more months to lose weight. That is a strong impetus. ---
**Author:** ![Staggerlee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/staggerlee/32/3134_2.png) [@Staggerlee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Staggerlee)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2010, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chilean-miners-alive-and-trapped-for-4-months/551173/74 "2010-09-08T11:47:32Z")
Quite a boring story. ---
**Author:** ![campp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@campp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/campp)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2010, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chilean-miners-alive-and-trapped-for-4-months/551173/75 "2010-09-08T12:47:39Z")
As far as getting stuck, I’m pretty sure they will lower a “cage” thing they get into, like a miniature elevator. If they can get into the cage, they will reach the surface. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2010, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chilean-miners-alive-and-trapped-for-4-months/551173/76 "2010-09-08T12:52:41Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > What if a guy lies and as they pull him up he gets stuck in the shaft. He would prevent others from being saved and would be stuck there forever. Send the drill back down. ---
**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:** [October 5, 2010, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chilean-miners-alive-and-trapped-for-4-months/551173/77 "2010-10-05T18:12:38Z")
Looks like they might be out much sooner than originally predicted: [As rescue drill nears, miners in Chile still have long way to go - CNN.com](http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/10/05/chile.miners.rescue.plan/index.html?hpt=T2) ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2010, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chilean-miners-alive-and-trapped-for-4-months/551173/78 "2010-10-05T18:52:35Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Looks like they might be out much sooner than originally predicted: [As rescue drill nears, miners in Chile still have long way to go - CNN.com](http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/10/05/chile.miners.rescue.plan/index.html?hpt=T2) This story wasn’t nearly as uplifting as I desired. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2010, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chilean-miners-alive-and-trapped-for-4-months/551173/79 "2010-10-05T19:19:43Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Looks like they might be out much sooner than originally predicted: [As rescue drill nears, miners in Chile still have long way to go - CNN.com](http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/10/05/chile.miners.rescue.plan/index.html?hpt=T2) > [@](#): > > A trainer brought to the mine site to help the miners slim down and condition themselves for the rescue says they will all fit inside. > > “Some of them have lost close to 20 pounds,” said Dr. Jean Romagnoli. Starting on Fox in October - _The Biggest Loser: The Underground Edition_. > [@](#): > > After an initial examination and triage, they will be transferred to an observation area within the mine complex, where they will have their first reunion with “one or two family members,” Chilean Health Minister Jaime Manalich said last month. “Yes, dear, but how about a shower first?” Regards, Shodan ---
**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:** [October 9, 2010, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chilean-miners-alive-and-trapped-for-4-months/551173/80 "2010-10-09T14:12:15Z")
The rescue drill has broken through; could still be a few days before any are removed: [Rescue drill reaches 33 trapped Chilean miners - CNN.com](http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/10/09/chile.trapped.miners/index.html?hpt=T1&iref=BN1) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chilean-miners-alive-and-trapped-for-4-months/551173.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chilean-miners-alive-and-trapped-for-4-months/551173.md?page=5)