Posted on 07/04/2018 12:21:05 PM PDT by BBell
There are parts where a person can barely squeeze through.
I am claustrophobic, so I don’t even want to think about it.
How about a flexible, water-tight tube for them to be pulled through - kind of like a mile and half straw.
I grew up in the California desert and we used to explore abandoned mines when I was in high school. We found an exceptional one that had miles of tunnels and shafts. While not “professionals” or even novices, we spent months exploring it for sheer adventure. I do remember a harrowing trip where we had just descended a shaft and dropped our only light, breaking it. That darkness quickly became material in a way I’ve never experienced since. Luckily we were on a rope in a relatively-known passage, and others were near enough by to find us pretty quickly.
We were very stupid and took idiotic risks, but it was fun. On our last trip, one of our main entrance shafts had completely collapsed during one of the regularly-occurring earthquakes. Despite having wormed our way through worse passages, we finally figured this was probably not the safest pastime. There’s just something visceral about seeing and smelling recently-shattered boulders infill a well known passage that makes even the most math-challenged understand the forces at play. Of course, at least rain and tides were not an issue. LOL
“Granted, I am not a diving expert, but...”
The kids could panic. They could not know how to clear their mask and drown. They could go through a tank quickly if they hyperventilate. They don’t even know how to swim. At one passage the divers had to take off their tanks, something that is normally practiced and could have complications.They probably will not have fins due to the cave environment making the swimming slow.
That’s a good idea. Several short flexible tubes for only sections where the route is submerged. Smooth inside so kid can be pulled through.
I know it was reported that they got some food. I wonder how long it takes to get to their location? It was also reported that they can only have four adults in the cave at one time. Any more will use up too much oxygen.
I’ve read that the rescue team has requested full-face diving masks for the kids. Some in the rescue effort are contemplating “packaging” the kids and pulling them out like parcels with those full face masks. IN the caves, swimming kicks up silt so it can go completely murky, there are currents in some places, effort is required to get through the narrow openings etc. Panic is an issue - even experienced divers report having it in caves and a panicking “package” would be a problem. And the kids don’t know how to swim. Getting snagged or caught also a problem, particularly if sedated w/oxygen and unable to respond at all. It’s believed such rescue attempts are greater risks than waiting for improved conditions re flooding.
I am thinking those face masks and “packaging” theory are for worst case scenarios should flooding increase or health deteriorate etc. At present they were deemed weakened from hunger and some had minor injuries that required a little repair so they weren’t really considered ready for it.
The first day they were found, rescuers near the caves set about preparing rice and noodles to send back into the cave that day and the divers assured them that more food and supplies would follow the next day.
I read here yesterday they were being fed protein drinks.
If one rescuer can make it through, they should be able to pull them out one by one. Maybe the ground is unstable or something.
Actually they do have it quite together with Thai Navy seals and British expert divers, and other international help. Due the difficulty they had getting to the team they are reluctant to attempt an underwater extraction, and are pumping out massiuve amounts of water. But then the weather changes...
Pray and pump. In the name of Jesus.
As said above, an underwater extraction would be very challenging, , and pumping out vast amounts of water may enable a crawl out. But these are not your typical liberal American kids, and thus they are in overall good spirits and even laughing, and not suffering withdrawal from Fortnight.
Do the bends have any factor in this?
Former Thai navy SEAL working to rescue soccer team trapped in a cave has died 7/6/2018, 9:42:23 AM · by SES1066 · 22 replies Business Insider ^ | 07/06/18 | Tara Francis Chan A former Thai Navy SEAL died early Friday while placing oxygen tanks in the cave where a Thai soccer team has been stuck for nearly two weeks. ... The volunteer diver, who has been identified as 38-year-old Saman Kunan, died from a lack of oxygen early around 1 a.m. on Friday morning. ... More than 100 Thai Navy SEALS are working on the rescue mission as well as divers from Australia, the US, UK, China, and other countries.
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