Keeping Sane
I am very claustrophobic, so the Chilean miners story has been of great interest to me. I am amazed at the resilience of these men, who are having daily meetings, games of dominoes, and singing the Chilean national anthem with gusto.
Judging by my past experiences in claustrophobic situations – as a kid I was once locked in a closet by a mischievous boy from my neighborhood, and as an adult I have spent more than a few long minutes sitting in stalled subway cars deep below New York City – I doubt I would suffer so gracefully being trapped in a 540-foot, 85-degree chamber with 32 of my co-workers.
I’m more of the hysterical, sweaty, panic-attack type.
These miners, who have been trapped for 22 days already, are looking at, possibly, another 90+ days underground. Yet, according to a video released yesterday, they seem to be in fine form with a few exceptions:
"Three or four of the men do have some problems. They're not sleeping at night, they're becoming increasingly anxious and irritable after being cramped in that confined space for so long," said Health Minister Jaime Manalich, according to The London Times. "We are preparing [antidepressant] drugs for them because it would be naive to think that they will be able to maintain this tremendous optimism for the whole period."
I suspect that a strong and deep faith in God would be one of the only natural ways to combat a total breakdown. Probably those drugs won’t hurt either.
What would you do to keep your wits?
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Comments :
Jul '10
Re: Keeping Sane
What would you do to keep your wits?
Um, I would blog to Ricochet. Do they have Wi-Fi?
Jul '10
Re: Keeping Sane
I share your claustrophobia.
I've had guns pointed at my head on numerous occasions and never skipped a beat, was a passenger on a 747 with an engine that exploded into flames and spent the time while the plane circled to dump fuel consoling the air hostesses who were certain we were doomed, survived an un-survivable skydiving accident with complete aplomb.
But lock me up in a little box and I just lose it.
I read a fascinating book about Mongolia once. Written by one of those 19th Century English lady-adventuresses. She described a Mongolian prison - a pile of iron boxes, each the size of a coffin, in which the prisoners were interred, unable to straighten out their legs or turn over.
The horror.
Re: Keeping Sane
Kenneth: I read a fascinating book about Mongolia once. Written by one of those 19th Century English lady-adventuresses. She described a Mongolian prison - a pile of iron boxes, each the size of a coffin, in which the prisoners were interred, unable to straighten out their legs or turn over.
The horror. · Aug 27 at 11:50am
No joke. I'm nauseous after reading this. (Shivers).
May '10
Re: Keeping Sane
Ursula, go visit the prison section of the Vietnam War museum in Saigon. It will thrill you further.
But, me? I'd ask for a big stack of books. They are small enough to get down the 6 inch shaft.
Re: Keeping Sane
Duane Oyen: Ursula, go visit the prison section of the Vietnam War museum in Saigon. It will thrill you further.
But, me? I'd ask for a big stack of books. They are small enough to get down the 6 inch shaft. · Aug 27 at 12:02pm
Yes, that's true, now that you mention it, Duane. They would fit. I guess I was having trouble imagining myself with only my mind and my co-workers to keep me upbeat. Books would certainly be (part of) my saving grace, and I hope they get them.
Jun '10
Re: Keeping Sane
I'm not sure how long I could keep this up for, the miner's situatution is unique, but I learned, as a result of my divorce, that there are avenues of thought that are not worth exploring. Whenever I caught myself thinking along a line that I knew will take me to a bad place, I changed my thinking. It was from that point on that it became impossible for my ex to spoil anything for me. This stratagy also works wonderfully well when I have to deal with people that I don't like. In this case what I try to do is never think about the things that bug me about them, and, if possible, focus on what they do well. I will admit that on some days this takes more effort than on others, but if you keep working at it soon you begin to habitually recognize the signposts that mark the trail to the "slough of despond."
Edited on Aug 27, 2010 at 12:16pmAug '10
Re: Keeping Sane
At the risk of sounding phenomenally rude, projecting bigotry into a whole new dimension, I will toss out this: Latin Americans are extremely good at coping with boredom. I am presuming that it is indeed boring to be stuck in a hole in the ground - I wouldn't know, never having been interred. But I have been to a lot of Latin America, and man, I can see why Communism would have always held some allure there: as long as it was The Big Thing somewhere, the locals could always overlook its bone-deep dullness and grayness. I cannot guess what Big Thing animates Chilean miners; maybe it is indeed books or God or (let us hope) just not being dead; but whatever it is, I bet these guys hang on for as long as it takes.
May '10
Re: Keeping Sane
One thing to consider, Ursula, is that anyone who cannot stand dark confined places is unlikely to be working as a miner. It's not a job for claustrophobes.
They will want to try to keep these fellows busy, the national anthem is going to get old at some point. The article mentions the miners "making videos of theatrical performances to send to their families", which seems rather bizarre, to be honest. I'd want to get working on some project, ideally related to the overall rescue effort.
Edited on Aug 27, 2010 at 3:40pmAug '10
Re: Keeping Sane
G.A. Dean: One thing to consider, Ursula, is that anyone who cannot stand dark confined places is unlikely to be working as a miner. It's not a job for claustrophobes.
Good point. Also, they were being filmed, and lots of people perk up when they get publicity.
Ursula Hennessey:
I suspect that a strong and deep faith in God would be one of the only natural ways to combat a total breakdown. Probably those drugs won’t hurt either.
What would you do to keep your wits? ·
Strong faith in God on average offers psychological benefits, but sometimes faith confers moral benefits without providing psychological benefits -- Christian people can break down, too, and quite spectacularly. I would guess what distinguishes Christians is that they're less likely to act out against others when they break down because going round the twist doesn't totally obliterate your moral code.
I would read a lot, try to stay in shape. I wouldn't pray too much, at least not petitionary prayer. It's hard to know what to ask for anyhow, especially in a bad situation. I'd concentrate on whatever prayers of thanksgiving I could offer without irony.
Re: Keeping Sane
G.A. Dean: I'd want to get working on some project, ideally related to the overall rescue effort. · Aug 27 at 3:35pm
Edited on Aug 27 at 03:40 pm
Yes, G.A. I would think this is key, too. The article mentioned the miners expected to be pitching in to their own recovery effort and that this idea was sustaining them, something about feeling in control of their own destiny, to some extent. But still, they probably can't do much to help themselves until, at least one source was reporting today, Christmas!! (Gulp.)
Jul '10
Re: Keeping Sane
Ursula Hennessey
Kenneth: I read a fascinating book about Mongolia once. Written by one of those 19th Century English lady-adventuresses. She described a Mongolian prison - a pile of iron boxes, each the size of a coffin, in which the prisoners were interred, unable to straighten out their legs or turn over.
The horror. · Aug 27 at 11:50am
No joke. I'm nauseous after reading this. (Shivers). · Aug 27 at 11:58am
I frequently have that affect on women.
May '10
Re: Keeping Sane
How would I cope? By all means send down some drugs.
May '10
Re: Keeping Sane
Oh, and no fiber, beans, or licorice in the food.
May '10
Re: Keeping Sane
32 workers get trapped, 16 couples emerge.
Aug '10
Re: Keeping Sane
Cas Balicki: I'm not sure how long I could keep this up for, the miner's situatution is unique, but I learned, as a result of my divorce, that there are avenues of thought that are not worth exploring. Whenever I caught myself thinking along a line that I knew will take me to a bad place, I changed my thinking. It was from that point on that it became impossible for my ex to spoil anything for me. This stratagy also works wonderfully well when I have to deal with people that I don't like. In this case what I try to do is never think about the things that bug me about them, and, if possible, focus on what they do well. I will admit that on some days this takes more effort than on others, but if you keep working at it soon you begin to habitually recognize the signposts that mark the trail to the "slough of despond." · Aug 27 at 12:13pm
Edited on Aug 27 at 12:16 pm
Thanks. I'll try to use that one today.
Aug '10
Re: Keeping Sane
Arthur C. Clarke found Douglas Adams' advice in The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy to be universally best: "DON'T PANIC." [Capital letters Adams'.]
Re: Keeping Sane
Am I the only one who's thinking, "Two months down a mine shaft, no cell phone, no deadlines, no traffic, no Internet, no e-mail to answer, no flights to catch, no family, no pets--wow, that sounds relaxing?"
Re: Keeping Sane
Licorice? Really? Learn somethin' new every day....
Edited on Aug 31, 2010 at 5:48amRe: Keeping Sane
The only "no" phrase that comes into my brain is "no oxygen" even if there is proof to the contrary. I'd hyperventilate and, yes, David Schmitt, PANIC, until I was probably strangled or clubbed with a miner's tool.