Posted on 07/03/2018 12:24:45 PM PDT by sodpoodle
Two doctors have volunteered to stay with children trapped in a Thai cave for four months if floodwaters cut them off and make rescue attempts impossible, it has emerged.
A football coach and 12 'rake thin' young players remain trapped in the Thamg Luang cave network in the country's north as experts desperately try to come up with a plan to rescue them.
There are fears fresh rainfall over the next few days could add to flooding in the caves - meaning the boys, who cannot swim, may have to wait until the end of monsoon season in October before they can be brought to safety.
If that does happen, two of Thailand's Navy doctors have already volunteered to stay in the underground chamber for as long as it takes in what is being described as a 'huge sacrifice'.
British volunteer divers John Volanthen and Rick Stanton were among those who struggled through narrow passages and murky waters to search for the boys, who were found starving but unhurt on an elevated rock on Monday.
A first meal of rice and pork - packaged up in sealed portions - is being prepared for the youngsters, who have already been given energy gels and paracetamol. Seal commander Rear Adm Arpakorn Yookongkaew said a team of seven, including medics, are with the boys and looking after them after an underground headquarters was set up - stocked with diving equipment, food and medical supplies.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
It appears that removal from the cave will take weeks or months. The 'living' area will likely become contaminated but that is not mentioned. Too soon?
This tragic incident is bringing nations together - which is heartwarming.
Praying that God will bring those precious children home.
How long does it take to drill 1/2 mile down?
WOW. I’d never have the guts to volunteer for something like that. God bless them, but I hope it’s not necessary. Praying for their rescue.
Omg, I thought they were rescued Out. I didn’t realize they have to stay in there. Prayers up. Brave doctors.
Keeping the children and the rescuers in my prayers.
How long will it take to get from where the boys are to safety? Is it a 10 minute dive or a 3 hour dive?
Doctors? Why not two or even 1 paramedic or EMT? If the doctor can get to them, then why can’t they get out?
Did not find an answer to that - and it would seem like the best solution. Perhaps engineers are studying the terrain and structure of the caves etc., to determine if it’s an option. Would have to be drilled well away from where the children are holed up, but close enough to reach.
Vertical-or horizontal etc., etc.,
The doctors, and the SEALS, are trained divers. The boys and their coach are not. The way in/out is flooded and likely to remain so for significant time.
I used to work with a lady who did cave diving as a hobby. It’s incredibly dangerous; several of her friends died doing it.
“How long does it take to drill 1/2 mile down?”
The 6” water well I have took 1 1/2 days to go 285 feet down.
I would guess you need a 24” hole to get these boys out...a whole different rig altogether...
“A whole different rig,” the cast of Airplane! repeated.
They can’t swim!
What have these people been eating over the past days that that
they have been trapped? I’ve not seen anything about food, etc.
Them boys are going to have SCUBA up and swim out.
Hope and prayers for them all.
Prayers up. Its probably pretty nasty in there already. Yuck
The children are not ‘divers’ - the water is muddy and the access routes are very narrow.
The difficulties are fully described in the article.
BTW. Where are the Trump protesters?
This is just another fascist/Nazi tactic of separating these children from their parents.
Put them in self contained dive suits and drag them out one by one.
Another monsoon rain which is due could further endanger their predicament.
Comments I condensed from an ABC article.
Cave diving is a deadly past time for experienced divers. If anything goes wrong you can’t just go to the surface. Plus you are operating at almost zero visibility in cramped passages with or against a current. It sounds like the kids are trapped in a chamber that is above the waters but the only way out is through flooded passages.
Why can’t the divers strap on spare air tanks+masks and then lead the kids out?
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