[pakinjapan]

Hope for the best.

Thai rescue: Divers start mission to free boys trapped in cave - CNN

"Our readiness is at the highest today. Today is D-day," said Chiang Rai's governor, Narongsak Osotthanakorn, adding that the families had been informed of the plan and given their support to the rescue effort.
At 10 a.m. local time, an international contingent of 13 specialist divers and five Thai Navy Seals descended into the watery network of underground tunnels below the Mae Sai mountains, carrying with them the hopes of an entire nation. - CNN

They must do now or never because a heavy rainfall is forecast in the area.

[swanlefitte]

Hopefully there will be some great news in a few hours.

[Sandy Hancock]

An old mate of mine, who is a leading cave diving expedition leader and underwater cinematographer, and also a specialist anaesthetist, arrived overnight to help with the rescue.

It will take several hours to get even the fittest of the boys out, and the frail ones will really need Harry's expertise.

Fingers and toes are crossed for a good outcome. It is far from a certainty.

[i_trax]

When I was young and fit I did spend days in caves, they were all in Europe, most frozen.
I do feel very emotional with this rescue, it could be me many years ago.....
god luck!

[Sandy Hancock]

Two boys out safely.
A long way to go yet.

[Sandy Hancock]

Four out. Amazing work.

[swanlefitte]

They now say 6 out. Great news. The weakest were first to go so that means chances are getting better.

[clackers]

Note that there are now about fifty divers on site, and one of them has died in the cave.

Apparently, the kids have to do one dive, there's a section not wide enough to get through with a tank on the back, they climb/get pulled up into an air pocket bit like a toilet S-bend, then back under the water again.

They're four kilometres from the entrance, but the rescue spot they get to is some distance from that into the mountain.

[aslyfox]

latest official news says only 4 out, " strongest " kids sent out first

diver has kid under him, kids using " full face mask " with trailing diver, when necessary, tanks are being dragged along if necessary, areas where they have to be submerged, other areas where they have to wade, eventually they reach a spot where they can walk out to the entrance

they are examined, and then sent out to hospital via ambulance and/or helicopter
___________________


biggest problem is low level of breathable air where the kids, coach and medic are waiting

divers " recharging " and their air tanks have to be recharged as well, not sure when renewed efforts can be made

____________________________


monsoon rains have started to fall again, pumps may not be able to keep ahead of the inflow of water and water levels may rise higher throughout the " system "

___________________________________________



all I know, for certain, is that the divers are risking their lives to try to rescue them, and as noted, one diver has already died but not when trying to take a kid out

international team of divers, including US, Brits, and Thai

all deserve our support and good thoughts

[c.a.m]

they climb/get pulled up into an air pocket bit like a toilet S-bend

That's a fitting description of what I understand to be one of the major difficulties in the extraction. Yikes.

I read that the Australian Federal Police and Australian Defence Force are supporting the operation. Good on ya, and best of luck, mates.

[timb64]

My thoughts are with those involved in the heroic effort to rescue the boys.

[clackers]

And a cultural difference here that makes things tougher … it was reported that none of those kids know how to swim.

They'll be dragging themselves along a rope underwater, totally alien environment, presumably with one diver in front and another behind.

[aslyfox]

And a cultural difference here that makes things tougher … it was reported that none of those kids know how to swim.

They'll be dragging themselves along a rope underwater, totally alien environment, presumably with one diver in front and another behind.

don't know the kids physical size - height/weight

but those factors might be in their favor

I hope so

_______________________


not a diver

but is there any way that air could be provided by being released from the tanks to help with the low O 2 levels

[aslyfox]

from the NYT:

Inside the Thai Cave: How Rescuers
Are Trying to Save a Soccer Team
JULY 6, 2018
Rescue divers will have to navigate flooded passages, with some openings as small as 3 feet wide and 2 feet tall, to rescue 12 boys and their soccer coach who have been trapped for more than two weeks in a cave in Thailand.

Inside the Thai Cave: How Rescuers Are Trying to Save a Soccer Team - The New York Times

[savoche]

This must be the first time in history where the whole world cheers for the same football team

Fingers crossed.