[Elaboration of a course in training galleries for use in testing of self rescue devices]

The approval of self rescuer devices for use in the underground needs, among other things, human testing in training galleries. As the training galleries are not the same in the different central rescue stations, the C.C.R. was entrusted with the task of developing a standard test for Belgium. After comparing data with two other countries of the E.E.C. and having devised two experimental courses, the C.C.R. launched a project for "Community Ergonomics Action" with the financial support of the Commission of the European Communities. This financial support enabled the C.C.R. to purchase equipment for the continuous measurement of various physiological parameters. This equipment was used to determine as accurately as possible the effort involved in passing through a specific type of roadway at a given speed. The resulting information helped device a third test course which entails an average oxygen uptake of approximately 1,2 l/min; the paper gives a detailed description of this test.