*** OFFICIAL CHILEAN MINER RESCUE THREAD #1 ***

[Subdivisions]

IMAGE: http://www.cbsnews.com">CBS News

Well, I thought I would get this thread started now as we approach the beginning of the rescue of the 33 Chilean miners who have been stuck 2000 ft underground for over two months.

I'd like to take this opportunity to offer my best wishes and hopes for a successful rescue and a joyous celebration for each miner with his family and friends, even the one who has both a wife and a mistress waiting for him above, lol.

I'll be adding material to this post.

An explanation of the rescue plan: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-YozzvGIE8&feature=player_embedded

IMAGE: http://www.associatepress.com">AP

LIVE VIDEO COVERAGE: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/blog/2010/oct/12/chilean-miners-rescue-live-coverage

CNN LIVE COVERAGE: http://www.cnn.com/video/flashLive/live.html?stream=stream2&hpt=T1

INTERACTIVE MINE DIAGRAM: http://www.cnn.com/interactive/2010/09/world/interactive.chile.miners/index.html

LIVE CBS News COVERAGE: http://www.cbsnews.com/2718-100_162-730.html?tag=watchnow

CBS NEWS LATEST: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/10/12/world/main6950496.shtml?tag=stack

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=6951311n&tag=cbsnewsLeadStoriesArea

Trapped Chilean miners: interactive guide to the rescue: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/interactive/2010/aug/23/chile-san-jose-mine-trapped-miners

http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/10/12/gallery.miners.chile/index.html?hpt=T1

PHOTOS: http://www.cnn.com/interactive/2010/10/world/gallery.large.chile.mine/page.02.html?hpt=T1

Comprehensive English Language Coverage of Chilean miners:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/chile

http://www.cbsnews.com/2718-202_162-747.html?tag=wc6802279

MSNBC: http://www.msnbc.com

Chile president says 'miracle' rescue near/Meet the miners http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39625809/ns/world_news-americas/

LIVE COVERAGE: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/39632101#39632101

HOW RESCUE CAPSULE WILL WORK: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38817504/ns/world_news-americas/

[valerief]

1. I must admit, I haven't followed this, but I'm now wondering how

often people get stuck so far underground. Is this a first this far underground?

[Ron Green]

2. Kick.

[polichick]

3. Can't wait to see each one reach the top...

Big Ed says MSNBC will be covering it.

[malaise]

4. Live coverage on BBC International

right now.

[eShirl]

5. multiple news channels on justin.tv also (including from Chile)

http://www.justin.tv/directory/news

http://www.justin.tv/search?q=chile&commit=Search

[Subdivisions]

6. This will be a world celebration event...

It's time we all had something to rally around.

[lamp_shade]

7. Hey... Subdivisions... nice job putting this together. Thanks.

:toast:

[Subdivisions]

9. You're very welcome. I was just sitting here watching the updates on TV

and I began actually getting excited and a little vicariously anxious. The thought of being in that capsule on the way up makes me clausterphobic all the way from Chile.

[pnwmom]

40. You would have been just as claustrophobic inside the tiny lightless area

where all the men have been stuck for all this time. Now at least they're on the way out.

[Parker CA]

8. Super good vibes to all of these men underground. Hoping their exit will be safe and swift!

Looking forward to watching this tonight on tv or online if it's not on tv and seeing these men back above ground.

[Beaverhausen]

10. Is there a capsule down in the mine yet?

I can't listen or watch...still at work.

[Subdivisions]

13. They are making the final preparations. I believe the last test has taken place.

When they begin the rescue operation, a paramedic will be sent down. Then, when the capsule is raised, the first miner will go with it.

Standing by....

[musette_sf]

11. **having Baby Jessica flashbacks**

[Subdivisions]

12. EXACTLY, lol! Excepte times 33 this time. I'm giddy. Good vibes to all involved! n/t

[Tx4obama]

14. CNN live feed link below

.

http://www.cnn.com/video/flashLive/live.html?stream=stream2&hpt=T1

[Stinky The Clown]

15. Thanks for all those links! Very helpful.

[HughMoran]

16. I'm having a panic attack just thinking about being in that capsule for 15 minutes

:hide: :yoiks:

[Gin]

17. me too.....I would be practicing my self talk to calm myself down

[HughMoran]

18. I just heard they will be in communication with the surface during the ride up

I hope none of them have a heart attack - I think I would.

[Subdivisions]

19. I probably would too. I'm anxious just thinking about it, nevermind finding

myself alone in a capsule in a long, dark, tight hole.

[Stinky The Clown]

20. They were going to send 4 (?) paramedics down first. Are they down already?

[Subdivisions]

23. No. A paramedic will ride the capsule down on first lowering. He will get out

and the first miner will get in. Repeat for other paramedics.

[Stinky The Clown]

25. Got it.

Makes sense! Duh :headslap:

[spinbaby]

21. The cynic in me...

...notices how they arranged this to happen in prime time.

[Tx4obama]

22. It was arranged so that they would come out in the 'dark' not sunlight.

They don't want the miners' eyes to be injured.
The original plan was for the first miner to come out around 11pm ET.
They are a bit ahead of schedule it looks like.
It will be dark by the time the first one comes up.

Edited to add as Subdivisions said up thread:

A paramedic will ride the capsule down on first lowering. He will get out
and the first miner will get in. Repeat for other paramedics.

[Subdivisions]

24. And even then they were provided with sunglasses for allowing their eyes to adjust. n/t

[Tx4obama]

26. Yep. The lights there at nighttime are pretty bright, but at least it won't be the sun. n/t

[rainbow4321]

34. CNN's Gupta said that they were trying to keep the pupils from

constricting too fast cuz it can cause retinal damage

[Stinky The Clown]

27. They are so concerned about light that they even have the hospital set up with .....

.... light levels approximately that of a movie theater.

[Subdivisions]

28. El Presidente de Chile Sebastian Pinera speaks with miners and

reviews rescue efforts.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

29. There ya'll are!

Thanks for the thread Subdivisions!

[Subdivisions]

32. You welcome. Can't wait to see Florencio Avalos emerge from that hole! n/t

[Number23]

30. Yeah! It's actually the stop story on the ABC News here Down Under

(The Gillard government must be thankful)

I will weep tears of joy when they get those guys out. I have claustrophobia so just THINKING about what these men have endured the last two months gives me the cold chills. :scared:

[Subdivisions]

33. I know what you mean, Number23. n/t

[Subdivisions]

31. First up: Florencio Avalos

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38868849/ns/world_news-americas/

[Subdivisions]

35. Final tests to begin in about two hours, followed by first extraction. n/t

[Tx4obama]

39. If nothing goes wrong looks like they'll beat their original 11pm ET estimate. n/t

[Subdivisions]

45. Capsule is being lowered now. n/t

[InvisibleTouch]

36. Good luck to them! Hope they all emerge safely. n/t

[Subdivisions]

37. Capsule is now being lifted into upright position. Then laid down again. n/t

[Scurrilous]

38. Thanks.

K & R :thumbsup:

[spanone]

41. link?

:hi: thanks

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[eleny]

42. oh you!

:spank:

[spanone]

43. hey cnn, after 69 days & 2000 feet down, i wouldn't be apprehensive about the ascent at all

i'd be stoked

[Whoa_Nelly]

44. Watching CBS Live Feed and CNN on TV, and CNN is lagging in time

by about 30 secs...strange to see that. But AM watching! Hoping nothing goes wrong.

[Tx4obama]

46. At this rate it will probably be closer to 11pm ET before the first minner comes up. n/t

[Tx4obama]

47. The 'test' capsule just came back up. n/t

[Gin]

48. how odd its on an angle....makes me queasy looking at it...

[Subdivisions]

50. Yea, the hole apparently doesn't go straight down. Looks like an issue with the

door hinge perhaps hanging up on something.

[Subdivisions]

49. They sure are doing a lot of hammering on that capsule since coverage began. A guy

is swinging a hammer at the door right now.

Shouldn't they have that thing hammered out by now, lol?

[spanone]

51. looks like an old western movie set with the wheel & all.....good luck to all

[Tx4obama]

52. A guy on CNN says....

One of the wheels isn't hugging the shaft wall like it should be.
The capsule is on it's SECOND test run now in the hole.

[Subdivisions]

53. That wheel is turning pretty quickly now. Hope that a good sign that the thing is

working properly now.

[Tx4obama]

54. Also a problem with the door, they just said on CNN. n/t

[Subdivisions]

55. Fixed. First paramedic about to climb into capsule to be lowered. Has just

received well-wishes from President Paniera.

[Subdivisions]

56. UPDATE!!! FIRST RESCUER NOW BEING SECURED INTO CAPSULE to applause

from his fellow rescue workers and a word of encouragement and thanks from President Pinera. Rescue crew lets forth a rousing chant.

[Subdivisions]

57. KICK! First rescue worker is now being lowered into mine. A very brave family man

who has 12 years of rescue experience is on his way to help save his fellow miners.

Godspeed.

[kestrel91316]

58. Incredible courage to be first down that hellish hole.

[Haole Girl]

59. 15 minutes to go down

:scared:

[Catherina]

61. !!

:applause: :applause: :applause:

[spanone]

60. damn, that capsule is smaaaaaallllll

[Subdivisions]

62. The President sings what I think may be Chile's national anthem with

the rescue crew.

[Subdivisions]

63. EXTRAORDINARY!!! The first rescuer is inside the mine. LIVE image as capsule enters area

where trapped miners are.

Everyone is crying!

[Tx4obama]

81. Pretty awesome! I wasn't expecting to see that. n/t

[krispos42]

64. The rescue pod just arrived with the miners!

:woohoo:

[Subdivisions]

65. WOW! The images as that capsule came down into that mine was just extraordinary!!! n/t

[Parker CA]

71. That was one of the most amazing things I've ever seen on TV. Watching that capsule slowly come

through the hole in that wall up to the surface. Wow. Just wow.

[Subdivisions]

76. Yes, it was. It was a historic and joyous moment. n/t

[Haole Girl]

67. He's explaining what they have to do in the capsule

This is amazing.

[Stinky The Clown]

66. UN bah leevable!!!!!

How incredible is this?

[Subdivisions]

68. This is absolutely amazing. You can see Manuel Gonzalez, the first

recue worker being greeted by the trapped miners. He immediately gathers them together to begin the orientation.

Just incredible!!!

[kestrel91316]

70. I am amazed how smoothly that went, and how anticlimactic it seems.

[Lisa0825]

69. FB page created for the first rescuer to go down the tunnel....

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_124907767563425#!/home.php?sk=group_124907767563425&ap=1

[Subdivisions]

73. Florenzeo Avalos being prepped for his trip to the surface after 69

days trapped in the mine.

He will be greeted by three members of his family once he reaches the surface.

[Lisa0825]

79. I can't imagine how ecstatic they will be!!! nt

[Stinky The Clown]

72. That capsule, standing on the bottom of the mine, in that rockscape, looks likke a scene from ......

.... the 1950s Buck Rogers movies.

[Subdivisions]

74. An apt analogy, STC. I just can't get over it. This is very exciting. n/t

[spanone]

83. totally surreal....

[myrna minx]

75. This is riveting. It's wild that we are watching live

shots from the cave.

[Subdivisions]

78. Also, press is all over Alphonso Avalos, father of the first miner to come up, as

he approaches the reception area to await his son's emergence from the shaft.

[jwirr]

77. Now that shaft has to hold up for 33+ journey's up. I am praying and

I am not ashamed to say so. God be with them.

[Subdivisions]

80. Agreed. n/t

[Bobbie Jo]

86. Amen.

I'm right behind you.

[Cleita]

82. Hi there. This is so exciting! I'm keeping my

fingers crossed that all goes well and so amazed at the technology that allows us to see this in real time. Fifty years ago I was living with my family in a copper mine north of Copiapo in Chile. Back then the only communication we had with the outside world was with cablegram or telegram within the country and short wave radio for those who had it. There were no long distance phones either. It's so amazing how far we have come.

[brooklynite]

84. I've been pondering the fact that...

...SOMEONE (probably one of the Medical Technicians) is going to be the last person up, and will be alone in the cave for 30-40 minutes.

[brooklynite]

85. Avolas is in the capsule...

waiting for an OK to lift

[spanone]

89. whew....imagine

[Duer 157099]

87. I don't think I'd like to be the last or even next to last left

Although they will probably leave the original rescue guy down there for company. Which means he will probably be the last to come back, too.

What a hero! WOW. We need heroes today.

[brooklynite]

88. Closing the pod door

[brooklynite]

90. Pod going up!

[Subdivisions]

91. HERE HE COMES!!! Florenzio Avalos is now inside the capsule and a fellow miner waves

a Chilean flag ahead of Avalos departure from the mine.

Here come Mr. Avalos!!!

[Catherina]

92. This is so amazing. I can't wait for their families to hug these lucky miners! n/t

[benny05]

93. First Miner being lifted up

Crossing my fingers...

[spanone]

94. c'mon.......moving fast!

[Subdivisions]

95. My heart is literally pounding. I'm there with all of them. n/t

[spanone]

96. can you imagine?

[Lithos]

97. This is Chile's Apollo 13

They have come together as a nation and risen up far more than as individuals.

And I hope it comes out with a similar happy ending...

[Subdivisions]

99. I was exploring Chile on Google Earth a little while ago and it's quite

a beautiful and culturally rich society. I'd like to visit and now I can't miss seeing the San Jose Mine!

[Subdivisions]

98. THREAD #2 -- SAVED! HERE ---->

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=9305241&mesg_id=9305241

[a la izquierda]

100. I'm a damn nervous wreck!

[Canuckistanian]

101. Jesus, that's a narrow hole

They must fit those miners into that capsule with a shoehorn....