Update 11:30 a.m.
You've probably been following dramatic rescue attempts in northern Thailand, where 12 young boys and their soccer coach have been trapped in a flooded cave since June 23. As of this writing, Monday, 9:40 a.m. our time, eight kids have been brought out by Thai divers. The boys are in hospital isolation. A 13th boy went home after soccer practice for some fortunate reason. Divers placed about 100 oxygen tanks along the twisty, narrow, flooded escape route of 2-1/2 miles, and all were used up. Oxygen is being replaced before the final five rescues can begin. Daylight is best, probably tonight our time, to facilitate all the outside work that is needed.
Meanwhile, in the sea off southern Thailand, other divers are retrieving bodies of kids found in the arms of their mothers after a tour boat capsized in 16-foot waves. Most or all of the 41 people found so far were Chinese. Not a good view by the sea.
Some families are rejoicing. Some are grieving. It's our world.
Thai navy SEALS and those from the U.S., Japan and Australia are working the cave rescue. Just to reach the trapped boys and return with notes for their families took 11 hours. One boy wrote, "Mom and Dad, please don't worry. I am fine." Bringing the boys out involves hiking, climbing, affixing oxygen masks and tethering them through muddy, rushing waters.
Divers also apply antiseptic, reassure the boys, coach them on what to expect, and joke with them to keep things calm. A freak-out might cost a life. One diver ran out of air himself while placing air tanks.
From our easy-chair vantage point, we view Thai authorities as top-notch in this emergency, almost unprecedented, and hundreds of rescuers as highly disciplined. What they are doing is "the last resort," but due to the rains, they're doing it. Very impressive.
Jimmy
PS. In a dark, narrow passage, how does a diver know another one isn't approaching from the other direction?
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