Exploring old abandoned building and workings has always been an interesting hobby and for most part can be done so safely . But a newer fad of going into old abandoned Bituminous and Anthracite Coal Mines is a downright Dangerous Game .
But there is a group of young people who show off their exploits on Face Book and You Tube
who-are not taking anywhere near the precautions an experienced Mine Rescue Crew would use to enter old dangerous mine openings.
Black Damp , Gray Damp , Collapses and deadly Explosive Methane Gas is always a possible danger when entering old mine workings .
That's why Rescue crews carry a multi gas meter which warns them if their is lack of oxygen or gas building up.
But not these explorers who wander about mines in very dangerous risk of collapse at any time with no apparent protective equipment
Just one breath of Black Damp and your dead. Many times no one knows they have gone in and many times it is a single person doing the exploring .
The State of Pa. has been sealing off mines every chance they can but there are still hundreds out there open for exploring . Recently 3 mine entry's near a popular bike Trail in Kiski Twp Armstrong County where sealed by the DEP .
Yes all the pictures are neat to see but at what cost? If some one gets trapped a Mine Rescue Team must risk their lives to rescue or recover a body of some one who screwed up being in an old mine they have no business being in.
In some case explorers have gone in and never came out and crews could not locate them
Remember Stay out Stay Safe and report to Pa. DEP mine openings you find.