Claustrophobia... Tweet they will have to deal with it

[nadinbrzezinski]

but it can be done.

And there are tricks, not just thinking about what is going to happen when they come out.

We used at times silly shit like an IPOD and music. I hope they consider that. It is a great way to ahem forget about the world as it were, or the small space they will be in.

Confined spaces are not fun.

And of course they did not tell anybody the worst of it. You think you know dark? You don't. That is unless you have been in a closed space that is.

[MadMaddie]

1. Going to be a lot of studies on these fellows

short term effects and long term effects.

[Pathwalker]

2. 10 mg. of valium. Wait 1/2 hour. You'll be fine.

I'm sure they have valium in Chile. That's what they give me when I need another MRI.

[nadinbrzezinski]

5. There are reasons why 10 mg of valium

or any other drug in the family will NOT be considered.

When you go into an MRI you are on this level, and there is a medical team in case you do any of the things the side effects do. Also you do not have the issues that go with standing up.

Hell, the aspirin 10 minutes before going up is stupid, but that same aspirin with AT LEAST six hours can save their lives. No trombosis.

I fall asleep on the MRI, so does my hubby. One tech was amazed, until he learned I was a former confined space rescue worker... MRI, whatever... but I know I am rare.

[Pathwalker]

12. When I explain my reason for fearing confined spaces to the doctors

and the MRI techs, they say they "fully understand" why I have this fear. I won't go into it here, but suffice it to say, it has satisfied every medical personnel to whom I have explained it. Their usual comment is WOW!

I'm praying for those guys. All of them.

[nadinbrzezinski]

14. Believe it not fear of confined spaces

and MRIs is fairly common.

They may range from an experience, or from ideas, or just plain out develop from nowhere.

The "funniest" I ever saw, since it became a bona fide rescue, were two firefighters who were confined rescue techs, who panicked. Yes, we had to go get them out. Fortunately it was the simulator. To say that those two left the service... but it does happen. And chances are it is something that happened during a rescue.

[Pathwalker]

15. I've read about your many experiences, and I admire you for it.

It's not something I could do, but I admire those who can. My brother-in-law is now an Emergency room nurse, but he used to be an EMT in Detroit - dangerous work. It takes a special kind of person to do that, and I admit I am not one of them.

[nadinbrzezinski]

16. It is a calling to be honest

and ER nurses, just a little less dangerous.

:hi:

Especially in a hot gun and knives section of town.

[Pathwalker]

17. Yes, it is a calling. A very honorable one.

Brother-in-law got tired of the knives and the guns being pulled on him, so opted for the hospital, where it still happens, just not as often.

[nadinbrzezinski]

19. Hey I got an axe pulled on me

that was kind of weird...

[wryter2000]

13. I took ativan

Worked like a charm.

[malaise]

3. They've been in a confined space for months

I can't wait to watch this tonight

[nadinbrzezinski]

7. Yeah but that capsule is putting them into even more of a confined

space.

[donco6]

4. They have live phone connection to surface - at least, that's what they said.

That helps. Like when you're getting an MRI or CAT scan and you can hear the person in the booth while you're in the tube. It makes you feel that you're not alone.

[Rabrrrrrr]

8. Yeah, they've had phone service, cable TV, electronic games, books, showers...

All in all, a rather civilized existence there, except for the being stuck in a small place underground - but at least they've had access to the outside.

When I first heard they'd be trapped for a couple months, I pictured them stuck in a small dark space with no chance to bathe, experience light, or get word from the outside.

I felt much better once I found out that they had showers, TV, Internet, and games.

[donco6]

11. I meant on their way up the shaft.

It's got to be really tight and scary in that little one-man tube.

[Rabrrrrrr]

6. True dark, yes - I remember the true dark of caving. The first experience was pretty crazy.

Not so bad now, and not really bad the first time, either - I was with others, and I imagine that helped, plus I never minded the dark much anyway.

But that first experience in true, utter black darkness - amazing.

[nadinbrzezinski]

9. Indeed

mine was a confined space trainer, and that was nothing until we actually did a few actual rescues. I know I would not be bothered by it in caving. For personal medical reasons I could not do it anymore... not the claustrophobia.

[nadinbrzezinski]

10. Indeed

mine was a confined space trainer, and that was nothing until we actually did a few actual rescues. I know I would not be bothered by it in caving. For personal medical reasons I could not do it anymore... not the claustrophobia.

[enough]

18. How long is the actual time in the tube expected to be? (nt)

[nadinbrzezinski]

20. Fifteen minutes

I'd pad five, and say twenty.

[MuseRider]

21. Even reading this thread

and I am sweaty and breathing hard....terrified of what these workers are going to go through. I will not be watching or even thinking about it but I do hope they are all safely brought to the surface. No more reading for me. Y'all who do this kind of work have my undying respect, if it was me you were after you would have your hands full.