These images show US troops training in spaces so tight they'll make you sweat

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These images show US troops training in spaces so tight they'll make you sweat

U.S. Army Reserve Pvt. Kenneth Collins, 376th Engineer Firefighter Detachment, pulls himself from a confined space familiarization tube at Combat Support Training Exercise (CSTX) 86-18-02 at Fort McCoy, Wis., August 13, 2018.

US Army

U.S. Army Reserve Pvt. Kenneth Collins, 376th Engineer Firefighter Detachment, pulls himself from a confined space familiarization tube at Combat Support Training Exercise (CSTX) 86-18-02 at Fort McCoy, Wis., August 13, 2018.

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A space is confined if it has a limited or restricted entry or exit point.

"Confined spaces include, but are not limited to, tanks, vessels, silos, storage bins, hoppers, vaults, pits, manholes, tunnels, equipment housings, ductwork, pipelines, etc.," according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

And the US military trains for all different kinds of scenarios in such spaces.

Here's what they do.

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The main reason the military conducts confined space training is for rescues, oftentimes a fellow service member who may become trapped while doing some kind of maintenance.

The main reason the military conducts confined space training is for rescues, oftentimes a fellow service member who may become trapped while doing some kind of maintenance.

Such as a fellow airman working on an aircraft.

Such as a fellow airman working on an aircraft.
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Sometimes they have to be tethered into the confined space.

Sometimes they have to be tethered into the confined space.

Military firefighter units often train for such confined space scenarios.

Military firefighter units often train for such confined space scenarios.
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Service members even train in building collapse simulators.

Service members even train in building collapse simulators.

Or for hazmat situations.

Or for hazmat situations.
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This variety of confined spaces training scenarios give troops experience in how to read site maps and determine what kind of equipment and procedures to use.

This variety of confined spaces training scenarios give troops experience in how to read site maps and determine what kind of equipment and procedures to use.

But first they have to get used to the confined spaces.

But first they have to get used to the confined spaces.
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And the whole thing seems pretty grueling.

And the whole thing seems pretty grueling.
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