Young Speulunkers lost in Cave

[Gargamel]

And now they've been found! I've been lightly following this story as it seemed destined for tragedy. But now the 12 Kids, from ages 11 to 16, and their adult soccer coach have been found alive in the cave by Divers. They've been in there for 10 days without food, and were trapped by rising waters from the monsoons. The cave flooded and is only accessible by divers.



https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-44688909


For anybody that asks, giving the kids SCUBA tanks and having them follow a diver is really not an option. The environment is one of the hardest you can be in as a Diver, and if one of them starts to panic, which I can almost guarantee will happen, then the kid and the rescue diver will probably die, and end up blocking access till their bodies are removed.

[Reece]

Wow, what an amazing story, I hope they all get out safely soon, they need a bit of feed first though to strengthen them up.
Prayers needed.

[Jimbuna]

It was specialist divers from the UK that found them but unfortunately they could be in the caves for four months yet waiting for the flooding to recede unless they learn to dive.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-44692813

[Chad]

4 months in a cramped, damp, dark place? I know several people on this forum who would enjoy something like that.

Kidding aside, glad they're all safe! I bet the coach will need something strong after they get out

[Bilge_Rat]

Originally Posted by Gargamel

For anybody that asks, giving the kids SCUBA tanks and having them follow a diver is really not an option. The environment is one of the hardest you can be in as a Diver, and if one of them starts to panic, which I can almost guarantee will happen, then the kid and the rescue diver will probably die, and end up blocking access till their bodies are removed.

Agreed. I am a certified diver, although I have not dived in years. Cave diving is one of the most dangerous form of diving. Expecting these kids to do it without losing one or all is nuts.

[em2nought]

I wonder how far below ground they are? From what I've seen on you tube, two Asians with sharp sticks can dig just about anything anyone could ask for.


It seems to me you don't have to bore a rescue shaft, just a drain shaft from a lower elevation, and a safe distance from the boys, to get the water out.


Where is Tony Stark when you need him to build a boy size underwater transport pod for divers to guide in and out of a cave pronto?

[Reece]

One wonders where they are getting the air to breathe, and how far would they have to travel under water, 50 feet, a thousand feet??

[Gargamel]

Originally Posted by em2nought

I wonder how far below ground they are? From what I've seen on you tube, two Asians with sharp sticks can dig just about anything anyone could ask for.


It seems to me you don't have to bore a rescue shaft, just a drain shaft from a lower elevation, and a safe distance from the boys, to get the water out.


Where is Tony Stark when you need him to build a boy size underwater transport pod for divers to guide in and out of a cave pronto?

They seam to be about 1km down, but under a steep mountain. Getting a rescue shaft down there probably isn't an option, as I don't think they can get any equipment above them. And coming in from the side probably won't work as it too would flood.



And it turns out, none of the kids can swim. So if they attempt the diving route, they first have to learn to swim, then to be comfortable enough with the gear to not panic. But that takes years of training.



I did my open water diving certs in sinkholes in florida, and that was pretty much a cave environment. I was very hesitant to venture into the openings of the caves, as there isn't a "blow the tanks" emergency surface option. not that that is even really a good idea to start with.



They may be stuck there for 4-5 months until the water receeds. They are currently trying to run power and comm lines to them.

[Gargamel]

Originally Posted by Reece

One wonders where they are getting the air to breathe, and how far would they have to travel under water, 50 feet, a thousand feet??

About a kilometer or two, through narrow, twisty passages that are giving even the experienced cave divers trouble.

[Bilge_Rat]

saw a report this a.m. that in some spots the cave is so narrow the divers have to remove their scuba tank to squeeze through. Also cave diving is not like the ocean, there is no light, except from flashlights and with the ambiant dirt, visibility will be close to nil. Not something an amateur should be doing.

[Platapus]

Anyone remember the 1951 movie Ace in the Hole, also known as The Big Carnival?

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by Platapus

Anyone remember the 1951 movie Ace in the Hole, also known as The Big Carnival?

[Aktungbby]

THE PROBLEM: https://www.wsj.com/articles/crews-race-to-drain-cave-where-youth-soccer-team-is-trapped-1530725200 PARTS ARE VERY NARROW TO TURN TO ASSIST A YOUNG DIVER IN PANIC MODE

Another possibility is to find a way to drill through the surface above or search for an alternative route into the miles-long cave system. Mr. Rasmussen said the boys have claimed to hear noises like dogs barking and roosters crowing. Although they haven’t been confirmed by divers, the reports have led Thai authorities to redouble efforts to locate possible holes to the surface through which the children could be rescued, he said.

[em2nought]

I see the problem with draining being that to visualize the trip it would help to think of twenty swimming pools in a row each connected at a different height with a tube you can swim or crawl thru depending on the water level. Some of the pools are full, some of the tubes are full. Some you crawl thru, some you swim thru. Just because you drain some of the pools closer to the pumps doesn't mean that you can also drain the other pools. Some of the tubes you have to push your scuba tank ahead of you to squeeze thru. Oh, and fill the whole thing with chocolate milk instead of water.

[Aktungbby]

the problem just got worse; a Thai Seal has drowned
after delivering oxygen to the trapped kids.