Thai cave rescue: What next for the trapped boys?

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This is just my .02 as a cave diver and not one that is trained in cave rescues.

Given the poor clarity of the water and the restrictions that require no mount, I would seek other options.
If it was clear water with nonsilty passage and no restrictions, I would guess the boys would be home eating dinner soon.
Any silty passage would be zero vis after the first one or two went through.
 
It's truly stunning they were found alive !
 
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It's feasible.
There are some very real concerns though that make it a last resort scenario.

Caves can be dangerous, more so when under water.
panic can be deadly.
improper breathing can burst lungs.
zero viz is a bigger deal than some imagine, entanglement in guidelines is bad enough when you can see, very difficult when blind and unable to move.
It can be extremely difficult, even with training, experience, and the proper skills, to blindly navigate a restriction, even following a line..
Towing some one is not easy, especially if they fight.
Rescuers need one hand on the guide line at all times, that only leaves one hand to assist the victim and make any necessary adjustments.
Losing someone is possible.
Hypothermia, water can make you cold, cold people are easily agitated. Agitated people are not helpful underwater.
Things happen in caves, a gas switch could be problematic.
The list goes on...

I understand the reasoning behind considering this and training the team in case they have to dive is a good idea as, unfortunately, it may be an option they are forced to use. But it's very risky.
 
I'm just a cave diver. No real cave rescue experience, what follows is just pure armchair speculating.

I've taught kids to dive 0 viz, for fun. For survival, that aspect seems perfectly doable. I've talked kids down from suicide (dozens), underestimating their capacity doesn't do them any favors.

In the case of this rescue, I don't think we're expecting the kids to become "cave divers". It would be a trust me dive in the extreme with expert escorts. Keep breathing. Stay calm. Hang on. Bringing out human cargo.

I've heard reports there are really narrow restrictions, I wonder tight enough the kids could still be in a full face mask on a stretcher and taken out like an injured caver through a sump. Frightening, perhaps the better alternative to living 4 months underground?

Cameron
 
If it were me???? Sedate me, blindfold me, tie my hands and feet, and by all means some SCUBA and pull my A$$ out!
 
Is it feasible to train the kids cave diving to get out?
What next for the trapped Thai boys?

Welcome to Scubaboard. Your question is an interesting one and the answers are not simple.

As you may be aware, there are some people on these forums who have years -- in some cases, decades -- of cave diving experience. To be trained as a cave diver, to the standards accepted by recreational cave divers, involves a lengthy period of instruction and practice -- some in the classroom, some in a pool, some in open water, and some in caves.

To gain sufficient knowledge and skill to follow another diver through a cave, under close supervision, in emergency conditions, is far more feasible. As indicated upthread and elsewhere, the most difficult part will be getting people through the restrictions.

I am not a cave diver but have dived in zero viz. I would imagine that they'll be able to get out.
 
From what I have read the plan, if they decide they need to dive them out, would be to have teams of two divers escort each of the kids out with the kids in full face masks.

I think the thinking behind that is that by having the two divers in FFM there is more likely hood of being able to talk to the kids at all times to keep them calm and keep in physical touch (which would help with keeping the kids calm), they will have more gas available for high/panicked kids.

With kids though, I actually think it might be easier than with older people. Kids have a capacity for doing what they are told if things are explained to them the right way that a lot of adults don't.
 
I am following because I am interested.
 
https://www.shearwater.com/products/peregrine/
http://cavediveflorida.com/Rum_House.htm

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