A mine establishing a rescue organization shall provide and maintain a Mine Rescue station with a minimum of how many self-contained oxygen breathing apparatus of at least how long duration?

• A. 5 apparatus; 2 hours duration
• B. 4 apparatus; 1 hour duration
• C. 6 apparatus; 3 hours duration
• D. 3 apparatus; 2 hours duration

Answer: (A)

Adequate air supply and capacity for the rescue crew is essential in mine emergencies. A Mine Rescue station must be prepared to support real rescues in hazardous atmospheres, which means having enough breathing apparatus ready and enough air duration to cover the work a rescue team may need to perform.

Five self-contained oxygen breathing apparatus ensures there are enough units for multiple rescuers to operate at the same time, plus a spare for replacement or equipment failures and for rotation during a longer operation. Two hours of duration on each unit provides a practical safety margin for tasks such as locating victims, navigating through gas or smoke, maintaining communication, and evacuating safely, even if the operation takes longer than expected or requires re-entry cycles.

In short, the combination of five units and at least two hours of duration meets the need for teamwork, redundancy, and sustained air supply during rescue efforts. Fewer units or a shorter duration would risk running out of air or delaying rescue operations, while more units or longer duration, though beneficial, goes beyond the required minimum.