Following several colliery disasters during the 19th century, calls came to set up a Mines Rescue Service.
By 1913 there were 10 Mines Rescue Stations in the south Wales coalfield.
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Rescuers were specially trained miners. They knew the collieries and were familiar with working underground.
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They were trained in using breathing apparatus and specialist rescue equipment, and delivering first aid.
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They trained rescue teams at each colliery. Minutes of Dinas Rescue Station note that …each colliery should have a team of at least five men. They would be trained as a team and if called upon in an emergency would be familiar with each other.
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The work was physically and mentally challenging. Rescuemen were considered the elite of the mining industry.