Rescuers at Butte used two main types of breathing apparatus: the German-made "Draeger" and English-made "Fluess." Both the Draeger and the Fluess looked similar to deep-sea diving equipment, complete with breathing helmets. It was the helmets that gave the mine rescuers their popular name-the "helmet men." In addition to the helmet (or in some models, a skullcap with goggles and mouthpiece), the apparatus consisted of compressed oxygen tanks that were worn on the back and a rubber "breathing bag" that was worn on the chest. Inside the breathing bag was alkali to absorb the carbon dioxide exhaled by the user. Various tubes and valves connected the components. Altogether, the helmet men's breathing equipment tipped the scales at a hefty forty pounds. It was hot and cumbersome, particularly in the swelteri~g depths of the mines. Source: Fire and Brimstone ; The North Butte Mining Disaster of 1917, Michael Punke
This photograph was uploaded May 2nd 2011 by carnkie.Copyright / re-use statement: Public Domain: LoC Lewis Hine collection Reproduction Number: LC-DIG-nclc-01122
You can close this window to return to the main site.