Posted on 07/04/2018 12:41:48 PM PDT by BBell
BANGKOK (AP) Now that the missing Thai soccer team has been found, the next step is determining how to get the boys and the coach safely out of a partly flooded cave in northern Thailand. A look at the options and why extracting the 12 boys and the coach could take some time:
THE CAVE IS HUGE
THE CAVE IS HUGE
Tham Luang Nang Non cave in Chiang Rai province stretches under a mountainside for up to 10 kilometers (6 miles), much of it a string of narrow passageways that lead to wide chambers and then back to narrow passageways. The rocky and muddy ground makes several changes in elevation along the way. The British Cave Rescue Council, which has members taking part in the operation, estimates the boys are around 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) into the cave and somewhere between 800 meters (half a mile) to 1 kilometer (0.6 mile) below the surface. Other estimates put the boys as far as 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) into the cave.
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THE CAVE IS FLOODED
Finding the boys took more than nine days, partly because of how difficult it is to move around the cave. The cave floods during Thailand's rainy season and even elite Thai navy SEAL divers were finding it difficult to move through the muddy waters, currents and tight passageways.
SAFETY FIRST
Thai authorities say they are committed to "100 percent safety" when they consider how to extract the boys, who don't appear to be in urgent need of medical evacuation. Chiang Rai provincial Gov. Narongsak Osatanakorn said: "We worked so hard to find them and we will not lose them."
(Excerpt) Read more at thetimes-tribune.com ...
We have the same background. The problem isn’t that the kids can be trained in the rudiments. The problem is that they will have zero experience and so be a Hazzard to themselves and their rescuer. Panic will never be far from their minds. Diving in an overhead environment is no joke.
#39 Then there are the cave sharks to worry about...
How did they get thru it, even if it was dry?
Unless there was another way in, and the divers don't know about it.
Just how did the boys get in there in the first place?
I heard the cavers/rescuers/divers found some things the boys abandoned along the way...
That’s the problem. Everything about being in there is very dangerous at this point.
Where did you learn to operate a rebreather?
Tham Luang Nang Non Dive School ...
Sigh ....
It wasn't flooded when they walked in. And it has nothing to do with putting a man on the Moon. That analogy was old, tired, and worthless in 1972.
“Being teenage boys Id bet theyd be up for it.”
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Of course they would——that’s why ONLY informed adults should be involved in any decision making.
This is a horrifying situation.
.
LOL
That is obvious. I think you completely missed my point.
Sorry.
.
I wasn’t suggesting in any way that the boys be allowed to make any decisions. As it is, with professional divers and rescue personnel from around the world advising, I heard a short time ago that they are considering having them swim out, with diving gear, as their best option.
Camping out in there for another four months sounds like the worst option to me.
Thanks,you are correct.
I am claustrophobic and just the IDEA of being underwater,swimming in a VERY narrow,twisty tunnel horrifies me.
All we can do is pray.
.
We can and we will, Mears. :)
Godspeed to them all!
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