Has anybody ever taken a handheld air quality sensor with them? I've never heard of doing it, but I've been considering checking out an abandoned coal mine near me, which is semi new territory for me. Would buying an air monitor of some sort (other than a canary) be worthwhile?

Posted by EnvoyToTheMolePeople Has anybody ever taken a handheld air quality sensor with them? I've never heard of doing it, but I've been considering checking out an abandoned coal mine near me, which is semi new territory for me. Would buying an air monitor of some sort (other than a canary) be worthwhile?

Coal mines are particularly dangerous for bad air. I would certainly carry a 4 gas meter. My friends and I often carry meters when we don't know about the air in a mine. They aren't cheap, but bad air can kill you before you know you are in trouble.

Abby Normal

Definitely better to be safe rather than sorry! Like Abby said a four gas monitor is absolutely necessary. (Methane, Hydrogen Sulfide, Carbon Monoxide and Carbon dioxide). The one I use is a ventis MX4 with LEL Methane,Co2,C0,H2S and oxygen monitors. With Ul/CSA certifications. It put me back around 1000 bucks, quite the price but it's saved my ass before. An S02 monitor is not a bad idea either, I have a ventis as well. A Honeywell microclip is also another good option.

I just look at https://aqicn.org which tells me how bad it is outside and if I should wear a mask.

A coal mine is one of the most dangerous sorts of abandoned locations you can do, they can kill you extremely quickly if you don't have adequate precautions or know what you're doing.