Self-Rescue Respirator

This is a **self-rescue respirator** used by the rescue team in the mines from 1950-1974. The self-rescue respirator consists of a filter with a mask, which the mine workers would use in cases of emergency. The respirator was used to protect the mine workes from inhaling coal dust or toxic gasses. In particular, the mine workers were protected from the gas [carbonmonoxide](http://https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_monoxide), which can be found in poorly ventilated or confined spaces and could arise due to the low temperature oxidation of coal. To open the filter, the user must pull the red belt inside of the can and put on the mask. With the oxygen provided in the respirator, a mine worker could survive for 20-30 minutes in an area with an unsafe atmosphere like gases or contaminated air. The respirator was typically worn on the harness of the uniform and discarded after opening. Created by: Fabiënne Gerono *This object can be found in the Dutch Mining Museum in Heerlen, The Netherlands.*