Young Speulunkers lost in Cave

Gargamel · 07-02-18, 07:52 PM

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 · 07-02-18, 08:25 PM

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 · 07-03-18, 05:16 AM

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 · 07-03-18, 10:47 AM

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 · 07-03-18, 02:56 PM

Quote:

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 · 07-03-18, 04:43 PM

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 · 07-03-18, 07:03 PM

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 · 07-03-18, 07:57 PM

Quote:

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 · 07-04-18, 09:43 AM

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.

Gargamel · 07-03-18, 07:56 PM

Quote:

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.

07-02-18, 07:52 PM	#1
Gargamel Lucky Sailor Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Rome Posts: 4,273 Downloads: 81 Uploads: 0	Young Speulunkers lost in Cave 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. __________________ Luck is a residue of Design. Last edited by Gargamel; 07-11-18 at 12:36 AM.

07-02-18, 08:25 PM	#2
Reece CINC Pacific Fleet Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Down Under Posts: 34,693 Downloads: 171 Uploads: 0	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. __________________ *Sub captains go down with their ship!*

07-03-18, 05:16 AM	#3
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,473 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	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 __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

07-03-18, 10:47 AM	#4
Chad ACE Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Kansas City Posts: 1,274 Downloads: 60 Uploads: 0	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 __________________

07-03-18, 04:43 PM	#6
em2nought Ocean Warrior Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 3,485 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	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? __________________ em2nought is ecstatic garbage! Last edited by em2nought; 07-03-18 at 05:16 PM. Reason: Iron Man reference

07-03-18, 07:03 PM	#7
Reece CINC Pacific Fleet Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Down Under Posts: 34,693 Downloads: 171 Uploads: 0	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?? __________________ *Sub captains go down with their ship!*

07-04-18, 09:43 AM	#9
Bilge_Rat Silent Hunter Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: standing watch... Posts: 3,855 Downloads: 344 Uploads: 0	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. __________________