Posted on 07/05/2018 8:12:29 PM PDT by Simon Green
A former Thai navy diver who joined in search efforts to rescue 12 boys and their coach trapped in a flooded cave in Thailand has died.
Saman Kunan, 38, lost consciousness on his way out of the Tham Luang cave complex after delivering supplies to the missing group, officials said.
He could not be revived by his colleagues.
The diver had previously left the navy but had returned to help rescue operations.
"A former SEAL who volunteered to help died last night around 2am," Chiang Rai Deputy Governor Passakorn Boonyaluck told reporters at the rescue site.
"His job was to deliver oxygen. He did not have enough on his way back."
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.com ...
What are they going to do? Declare the site a massive wetlands area and prevent any development?
After this tragedy, what choice do they have? Having the boys cave dive would be incredibly dangerous. In the meantime, they already have air, they can get them water purifiers, food, and (minimal) shelter. They should be able to survive there for 3 - 4 months and then walk out when the rains end.
It's not a great solution, but it may be the least bad one.
Maybe they could put in a rope line (it’s easier than teaching kids to swim) then have two SEALS take one kid out at a time.
Small tank with small child might get through the tight spot... larger tank in other areas... We have to assume SEALS know what they’re doing...
https://www.amazon.com/Spare-Air-3000-Standard-Kit/dp/B071WJ2958
The above article is about an engineer that was already drilling in the jungle near the cave. Here in the US they can move fairly large rigs (in pieces) by helicopter. They build structures for them so they can be perched on the sides of very steep slopes as well.
Down in California they often drill large diameter holes so a geologist can be lowered into the hole to look at the geology! I’m not sure if they still do that, but I think so.
The article said the engineer found some other access points and roped down them and they lead to other tunnels/channels that are blocked with boulders but they might lead to the boys.
I think the risk of collapse for drilling is pretty slim. Case the hole as they go, and maybe the last 5 feet will collapse. But - try to get it in that large room just down from them and closer to the entrance I would think that would be no issue.
A previous poster talked about systems used by cavers to send a signal to the surface for accurate positioning.
Another article on that page that pulls up for the one I posted talks about a “boy with no country”. He is a refugee from Mynamar - goes to a Christian school in Thailand. Is the only one in the cave that speaks English, which was great seeing as the first two rescuers were from England. (Also speaks 3 or 4 other languages!).
I know the one who died was, but there are some Americans on the scene.
US Team on site
Oh gosh, rain soon, too. This is just so bizarre.
Condolences to this brave mans family, but please put somebody in charge that has a clue.
Pruitt is available.
This is the most terrifying rescue situation in my lifetime-—I thought that the Chile mine one and some of the earthquake searches were bad——this one beats them all.
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I heard now that they are running out of air, which makes sense since passage ways are flooded.
I heard on the television news report that they are starting to inform the parents of the risks of taking the children through the flooded sections. If the air keeps going bad they won’t have a choice unless they can pipe more in.
Thanks
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