The good news is that, miraculously, all of the 33 miners trapped in a Chile mine after an Aug. 5 cave-in are alive. The bad news is that once rescuers start supplementing food and water rations — lowered through a bore hole into a safe area along with medications — with Trivial Pursuit, Yahtzee and Clue, you know you’re in for the long haul. Drilling an opening to free the trapped miners could take until Christmas, yet rescuers, who have also set up an intercom, are determined to not let the miners know that in an effort to ensure no one goes stir crazy. More from Reuters:

“Engineers must now build a concrete platform and erect the drill, which will bore a shaft 2,300 feet straight down around 2 feet in diameter, and plan to use a pulley to lower a cage to evacuate the miners one at a time. They hope to start drilling the escape shaft by the weekend.

The government has contacted NASA for advice on how to keep the miners healthy with space mission-like rations and help them deal with the extended stay in a confined space. It has also turned to submarine experts in Chile’s navy.

…Rescuers and family members were heartened by the remarkably good condition of the miners, whose first request was for toothbrushes. The men have stripped off their shirts to help cope with heat down in the mine.

…Ventilation and tanks of water helped the miners survive. They rationed their provisions, eating two mouthfuls of tuna and drinking half a glass of milk every 48 hours. Health officials estimate they may have lost about 17.5 to 20 pounds (8 to 9 kg) each.”

The accident has sounded the alarm on mine safety standards, certainly not a concern shared by Chile alone. On Monday, President Sebastian Piñera set up a new Commission for Worker Safety to improve workplace conditions; however, the panel’s set of recommendations is set to be researched and released before the miners are likely to be rescued.

(Map: U.S. State Department)