The copper-gold mine of San Jose, which is located in northern Chile, was the location of a catastrophe that took the world by storm on August 5, 2010. This was a regular shift in which 33 miners went underground, and they thought that this would be a regular shift when they had 10 years experience and knew the nature of the work they were doing posed certain dangers. Hours later, they were trapped in a gigantic cave in collapsing almost 700 meters beneath the surface. The first concern was the physical survival, there was very little food, there was very little water, there was no ground, and it was completely dark. However, days went on and it became obvious that physical conditions were not going to be the most significant challenge of the miners. The mental resilience to cope with fear, stay hopeful, keep order, and their mental well-being became the key to survival.
The miners were put into the state of sensual deprivation. They were shrouded in darkness, the temperatures varied between stifling heat to freezing chill and oxygen was restricted. Researchers of human activity in extreme conditions observe that one of the most effective causes of a psychological breakdown is isolation and uncertainty. Mental collapse is often brought about by panic as opposed to dehydration or starvation. The miners automatically knew about this danger as early as they were in the underground. Sense of control became their number one priority.
They proceeded to a comparatively safe room which they called Refugio 505. By doing this naming, it was possible to convert a disorderly mess into a common haven, providing the men with a place that makes sense to them emotionally. Psychological studies indicate that the naming of space in crisis leads to identity formation and lessens nervousness, as it provides a symbolic point of reference. It is out of this refuge that they started constructing out of this place meant to wipe out structure completely.
Routine was one of their initial tactics. The miners set a routine, provided task division and implemented strict ration. The portions of food were reduced to a minimum. Drinkable water was accurately weighed. Such choices not only saved on supplies but also averted war and instilled equality. Under severe circumstances, perceived equity significantly decreases the degree of stress and builds trust among the members of a group. Having an idea of what they would see every day, even when it was scarcity, provided the miners with something that they could look forward to.
Leadership was essential. The team agreed to a pyramid headed by the shift supervisor, Luis Urzúa. Decisions were reached together by Urzu and other seasoned members and they were authoritative and empathetic. They were able to communicate effectively, delegate and were disciplined. During a crisis psychology, effective leadership minimizes the level of uncertainty as well as increasing group resilience. The leadership portrayed by Urzua was able to change fear into action instead of hopelessness.
Another survival tool was emotional control. The miners chose to be negative together. Negative thoughts and grievances were shunned not with the help of punishment but with the help of mutual understanding that morale was something just as important as food. Humour became an essential coping process. Jokes and playful teasing and narration provided emotional relief and strengthened relationships. The laughter down there in that subterranean room was no simple distraction; it was robust psychology, which was necessary to sustain optimism under such heavy discouraging odds.
There was also emotional strength which was provided by spirituality. Shared purpose and unity was achieved through group prayers and moments of reflection. It is known that, in extreme isolation, some meaning in suffering is found to increase resilience. Many of the miners were of the belief that rituals were used collectively to enhance the hope of miners, and this is where people are able to use symbolic practices to cope with emotional despair. Spirituality brought solace and emotional outlet either through prayer or silent reflection.
The psychological strength of the miners was the most obvious when the miners had been without a touch of the surface communication for over seventeen days. It was advised to the family that they should be ready to expect the worst and anxiety levels were high. The psychological effects were deep when rescuers finally heard tapping noises in Refugio 505 and knew that the men were still alive. Boreholes were sunk to bring supplies, and messages went up and down. Simple gestures of communication such as notes, drawings and recorded messages helped to remind the miners that they were not left behind. Even the least interaction with a person proves to be a great stress reliever, so psychological research proves the argument that even small social interaction can greatly enhance hope and eliminate cognitive weakening.
The routines that were used by the miners kept down both physical and mental health during the sixty-nine days they spent underground. They had exercises to ensure that there was no atrophy of the muscles and these exercises also helped reduce stress, enhance sleep and maintain the clarity of the mind. Peer checking made it possible to provide support to any person who exhibited signs of emotional distress. This type of psychological first aid was an informal system that enabled the group to avert crises before they proceeded to the next level.
Fear never left them during their years in the underground, but the miners learnt to channel it elsewhere. They concentrated on common values holding onto routines, helping each other, and organizing rescue. Hope was a shared effort and not a personal feeling. Their unity and common responsibility cushioned them against the sense of despair which plagues isolated groups, in psychological terms.
When the Fénix capsule started taking the miners up to the surface on October 13, 2010, the world was thrilled by the success of design and teamwork. But deep down behind that technical success was a lesser victory of the human intelligence. Their survival was not merely due to the fact that drills arrived to them but rather they remained intact by their psychological approach of keeping their spirits. Refugio 505 was not only a physical refuge, but also a psychological safe haven.
The fact that the 33 Chilean miners survived is still one of the strongest examples of human psychological endurance. It demonstrates that even the most ruthless physical factors are not as strong as the desire to be able to uphold structure, purpose, connection, and hope, which is the ultimate result in extreme isolation. Their tale is a classic lesson: being able to endure does not only require survival but a strong mindset that can endure fear, uncertainty, and trouble alike.
References:
- BBC News. “Chilean Miners: How 33 men survived underground.”
- History.com. “Chilean Miners Rescue.”
- The New York Times. “Chile Miners Rescue."