<p><br /> Engineers are installing a big drill to rescue 33 miners trapped for 19 days deep in a Chilean mine, and will send down games to help them cope with a wait that could last until Christmas.<br /> </p><p><br /> The rescue crews began sending hydration gel and medication through a narrow bore hole on Monday to keep the miners alive during the long rescue effort and set up an intercom.<br /> </p><p><br /> To avoid hurting morale, officials have not yet told the miners how much longer they may be underground.<br /> </p><p><br /> 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.<br /> </p><p><br /> 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.<br /> </p>
