Other variables would be what injuries the miners might have suffered. "Let's also not forget these would be total blackout conditions. They would see nothing, there would be disorientation in terms of geography and time. They would have flashlights with limited battery power that they would likely try to conserve."

Although the Crandall Canyon mine is not a union mine, Kameras was emphatic that members of the United Mine Workers were watching and hoping all six men come out alive and well.

"I can safely say there is not a member of our union that is not taking this in a very immediate, heartfelt and personal way," Kameras said. "We consider every miner and miner's family to be something of a universal family — an injury to one is an injury to all.

"Our hearts and prayers go out to them," Kameras said. "We have repeatedly expressed our willingness and desire to lend any form of assistance that may be required. We have members of our union who are members of some of the mine rescue teams involved in this."

For those above ground who are waiting for word about their loved ones, even the experts in the mental health field admit this is a really tough situation, and getting through it is going to be hard.

Dealing with a crisis and the uncertainty of waiting simply take a toll on the human psyche, and there are no easy answers for comfort, says John Malouf, clinical psychologist at Valley Mental Health.

"At best, it's going to be miserable. You just try to make it as tolerable as possible," he said.

Prayer helps a lot of people and family support can be valuable, as can such techniques as thinking positive thoughts and getting exercise.

People undergoing a crisis are dealing with a lot of emotions, and they must be gentle with themselves and realize this is normal.

"One thing that I find helps is that rather than fighting it, I just let myself feel it. You just feel the depression and realize that your feelings aren't going to kill you," Malouf said.

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E-mail: lindat@desnews.com