This year New Mexico’s traditional Southwestern Regional Mine Rescue contest was held in Taos, at the Taos Convention Center.

Miners and volunteers from two teams underwent three days of theory and practical tests. A written exam and rescue simulations in a mine environment tested the abilities of the participants, especially their first responder skills.

The contest is a chance to compare acquired techniques and to learn new ones from those with more experience, with the aim of improving on rescue times and methods.

The competitions are organised periodically in several areas by the US Department of Labor. Since 1978 a specific department for the safety and protection of miners has promoted these events nationwide.