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Mining & ExplosivesEntering smoke with everyone on the lifeline
Smoke takes away sight, and every member's air depends on the apparatus. Before going in, the captain checks the team and has it count off; inside, everyone holds or is fastened to the lifeline, so nobody gets lost and every signal reaches the whole team.
Free to startScenarios
- Smoke across the entry ahead, team on a hard-wire communication system.
- Team on radios: the lifeline still goes in, laid out from fresh air.
- Smoke inside an opening during a team stop, with the tail captain in fresh air.
The steps
- Right before entering smoke, make an apparatus or personnel check and ask each member if they are all right.
- The captain has the team count off, out loud or by raising hands.
- Everyone holds or is fastened to the lifeline; tag lines between a member and the line are no longer than 3 feet.
- On radios, lay out the lifeline from fresh air before the team travels through smoke.
- The captain signals advance, the rear captain relays it to the fresh air base, and the team moves when the signal comes back.
- While traveling, nobody lets go of the team line; the No. 5 member may move side to side without pulling or giving line.
- Treat smoke found in an opening as reaching the next placard that shows it cleared.
- Report the smoke to the fresh air base, carry its full extent on the map and show it cleared where ventilation clears it.
Safety rules that stop the station
- Never enter smoke without being connected to the lifeline.
- Never cut or let go of the lifeline or team line on purpose while advancing or retreating.
- Any smoke is an atmosphere immediately dangerous to life or health.
To pass
- Not checking the team right before smoke costs 5 points; each member who enters smoke off the line counts as endangered: 15.
- Each member off the team line while traveling costs 2; cutting or detaching the lifeline costs 5.
- Checked, counted off and everyone on the line before the first step into smoke.
Official source
Federal · MSHA Mine Rescue Contest Rules 2026
2026 Metal and Nonmetal Mine Rescue Contest Rules
MSHA's mine rescue contest rules set the check before smoke, the lifeline rules and their discounts.
Making Synapses is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by MSHA, NASA or any mine rescue association. Agency names are named only to describe the content.