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Belgian media cite unconfirmed reports rescue mission will begin tonight
Belgium diver says: We expect that the first two footballers will still be at the exit today
Is that some kind of joke?
Could drilling a hole into the chamber not cause an issue with the void filling with water if the air is under pressure?
That is a possibility I guess.
Also not sure if the cave is further up from the water.
Is that some kind of joke?
No, the Belgium diver thinks that they will have the first two out by tonight. See the Guardian website
Can't see why you think it might be a joke.........
Thai authorities have now said that there will not be a rescue attaempt today
Press conference - no attempt tonight
The stuck lads have written letters for their loved ones......
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-44748927
Can’t see why you think it might be a joke………
It was the line about "Belgium diver says: We expect that the first two footballers will still be at the exit today"
The rescue is underway... Here's hoping that they all make it
Is it the diving footballer bit that's causing the confusion?
Good to see the rescue underway. Good luck to all involved.
Good luck.
I’ve watched a few programs over the years and cave diving looks extremely perilous, terrifying to me.
The situation is horrible, I hope that they’ve had enough time to plan and organise properly without the weather squeezing their schedule too much. I really hope they have no more casualties.
Not just the pressure of retrieving the kids, but the worlds media are watching and critically analysing every move they make.
Jeeze, hope it all goes well.
The first two boys are out apparently, great news!
Brilliant! Fingers crossed.
Couldn't make this up, but have you seen the pic of the kid in the England shirt?
#hescominghome
4 more coming out soon apparently. Sod the World Cup, this is the best thing this weekend!
What odds on Putin taking advantage and making these kids his special guests at the final next weekend
No chance, Trump will want to adopt them.
What odds on Putin taking advantage and making these kids his special guests at the final next weekend
Fifa's president beat him to it on Friday
Six out now.
A senior member of the rescue medical team has reportedly told Reuters that six boys have now exited the Tham Luang cave complex.
I don't want to speak too soon but this is some kind of modern miracle , everything is against this really.
This is great news, keep em coming.
The first boy to exit the cave was 13-year-old Mongkol Boonpiam at 5:40pm.
He walked out and appeared to be in good health, followed by another at 5:50pm. The third and fourth boys were brought out at 7:35pm and 7:47pm, but one was said to be “closely monitored.”
...
Narongsak Osottanakorn, the former Chiang Rai governor and rescue operation chief, announced in the morning that the boys would be brought out in pairs, with two divers accompanying each one of them. He insisted that all were 100 percent ready, both physically and mentally.
If they get them all out and all the rescuers it will be a major achievement. Everything crossed.
Saw this on BBC...
Not all super heroes wear capes, some wear wetsuits.
The rescue has been concluded for the night and will resume in 10-20 hours because “we’ve used all the oxygen,” according to the operation chief.
...
The operation is set to resume at 8am local time
I can't imagine how tormenting it must be for their families. I can barely even look at the live updates for fear of bad news instead of good.
fingers crossed still.
Are they waiting till daylight to bring the next lot out?
Replenishing the oxygen supplies I believe. No doubt the logistics are running 24/7 ahead of next extraction tomorrow. Legends all of them
I was wondering this, maybe its not just refilling the cylinders, maybe they have to replenish the cylinders & then replace them at strategic places along the route. If so, its a lot more graft & risk for the teams involved than just refilling the cylinders, they then have to get them back into position prior for the next wave of extrication's to take place. A non stop behind the scenes operation that will require logistical precision. Hats off to all involved.
BBC and ITV news claimed only 4 rescued but did also say there was a 10 hour 'rest' for the divers so they were good to go for the next cycle.
Fantastic effort by everyone, hopefully the success will continue.
Are they waiting till daylight to bring the next lot out?
Chapeau!
Some really interesting comments about the coach on Twitter:
"Ekapol Chanthawong lost his whole family as a kid. He trained as a monk & then devoted his life to helping coach kids. He kept 12 children alive in a cave without food or light for 9 days. He will be last to leave tomorrow & is only 25. Remember him!"
"Let’s commend the Thai coach for keeping 12 teen boys alive for weeks with no food, sunlight or water. He helped them meditate to save energy. A real example of resilience, optimism and breaking the barrier of fear."
I wonder what the future holds for this amazing young man?
I wonder what the future holds for this amazing young man?
I think it depends on who gets hold of him, the media or the military. If the gets to the world cup final it might be worth him getting lost on the way home.
I hope the (justified) euphoria around 4 boys getting out isn't too premature, there is a hell of a long way to go until everyone, boys, coach and rescuers are all out safely.
If they pull this off it will be a masterclass in rescue. To coordinate a massive international team to undertake a rescue of this scale is stunning. Some reports are saying over 1000 people involved. An effort like this should really require months of planning, they have had to pull it off in not many days. Lots of heroes going into the caves, lots of heroes sitting in the background working out logistics, medical, media, vehicles, power, food etc etc.
Sounds a bit like the Vulcan raids on PS in 1982. You need full cylinders for the divers and the boys to switch to on the way out, but that means they have to be carried in by divers who also need enough air to get back out again which may in turn mean they need other divers to carry in those cylinders for them..... and while each calculation is simple, multiply it by the numbers involved and pretty quickly I'm surrounded by scraps of paper and worn out pencils and 'maybe if I start again from the beginning'
Amazing, I don't do prayers but I'm offering up my own version.
Some really interesting comments about the coach on Twitter:
“Ekapol Chanthawong lost his whole family as a kid. He trained as a monk & then devoted his life to helping coach kids. He kept 12 children alive in a cave without food or light for 9 days. He will be last to leave tomorrow & is only 25. Remember him!”
“Let’s commend the Thai coach for keeping 12 teen boys alive for weeks with no food, sunlight or water. He helped them meditate to save energy. A real example of resilience, optimism and breaking the barrier of fear.”I wonder what the future holds for this amazing young man?
Isn't he also the bloke who led them into the cave in the first place though??
I know this may be slightly off-topic, but this is all reminding me of a book I've read/film I've seen where in addition to the main story there is a seemingly incidental background story going on with a boy stuck down a well/in a cave, told via news reports. Does that ring any bells with anyone? I'd love to know what it is, because it's making me feel really uneasy.
From the BBC
The four boys who have already been rescued have not been able to see their families yet as they are in quarantine.<span style="font-size: 0.8rem;">- Their families have not been told which children have already been rescued.</span>
I thought they'd named at least two of the boys, and excuse my ignorance but why would they be held in quarantine? Because of their weakened physical state they don't won't them catching anything?
One thought would be given how tense and emotional it is there telling the families who got picked first to come out could go very badly
Fingers crossed for those remaining.
How long until Holywood takes it on but changes the location to the USA and American kids. Also, the coaches to have some sort of redemption backstory.
One thought would be given how tense and emotional it is there telling the families who got picked first to come out could go very badly
armchair analysts - who would you pick to go first? the best swimmer/fittest/least scared with the best chance of survival; or the weakest/may not survive another day. And if it was you in there, would you want to go first or last?
I think I'd choose the ones least scared as it would be least likely to scare the others. Having someone panic wouldn't be ideal for those watching.
Not sure about the second question, probably one of the earlier ones.
This is really good news.
No idea what must be going through the lads minds, nor those that performing the rescues.
But hey, they all need congratulating.
👍👍
I would have thought with all the food and medicines taken in, the fact a Doctor has been with them etc they should all be in reasonable condition for the journey out. If two divers are with every boy, there should be too much that can go wrong........hell of a story though!
armchair analysts – who would you pick to go first?
They've already explained this IIRC, they're bringing out the sickest first.
You need full cylinders for the divers and the boys to switch to on the way out, but that means they have to be carried in by divers who also need enough air to get back out again which may in turn mean they need other divers to carry in those cylinders for them….. and while each calculation is simple, multiply it by the numbers involved and pretty quickly I’m surrounded by scraps of paper and worn out pencils and ‘maybe if I start again from the beginning’
Add to that the fact that there are two different fittings for the air cylinders (the UK divers had to take load of adaptors) as well as the added complication that some are diving on compressed air and some diving with homemade oxygen rebreathers........
According to one of the BCR people interviewed last week, the rescuers will administer a mild sedative to relax the rescuee and which prevents them from panicking. He seemed to suggest it was standard practice in cave dive rescue.
Sky reporting 5th boy out now
Yeah! First boy from second rescue wave. All seems promising 🙂
I reckon this will make a good film for Manchester's own Danny Boyle to direct, same as127 hours.
the fact that there are two different fittings for the air cylinders
That isn't really an issue, very simple an common adaptors.
This is an incredible story, just hope it all ends well. I can't imagine what it would be like if they don't get them all out before it rains.
That isn’t really an issue, very simple an common adaptors.
Yes, A-Clamps are easy enough to get hold of - I used to have to take them to Egypt when I went diving as I always used DIN fittings when diving in the UK.
I'm surprised though as I would have thought the cave divers would have used small higher pressure cylinders (something like 300bar 7l), which IIRC you can't use A-Clamp on.
Those cave divers are another breed - great work by them. When I dived I wouldn't enter anything I couldn't see the other side of.
Yes, A-Clamps are easy enough to get hold of
Not in Thailand apparantly, they had to be flown out from the UK
https://www.xray-mag.com/content/cave-divers-mallinson-and-jewel-fly-out-thailand
Anyway, great news that more children are being brought out https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2018/jul/09/thai-cave-rescue-resumes-to-free-eight-boys-and-coach-still-trapped-latest-news
Lets hope everyone now makes it out safely.
The British divers should all get knighted. Much more worthy than any celebrity or footballer which appears to be the norm these days
Bit worried about reports of ambulances leaving but no announcements.
Bit worried about reports of ambulances leaving but no announcements.
This was the same when the first kids were rescued, it took a while for them to actually confirm that the boys had made it out safely.
FunkyDunc + 1.
Reuters are reporting that 4 of the lads have been brought out. Brings the total to 8!!!!!!!
CNN saying that rescue being suspended for today
Looks like two more are out now. That's 2 kids and the teacher to go plus the rescue crew including the doctor that have been in the cave for a while.
10 kids out now.
fingers and toes are crossed, but it looks like they might pull this off......
Not tempting fate until we know the rescue crew can all get out too. As well as the ones in the boys' cave, there could be dozens at various stations along the route.
Wow, what great news. Opened thread with trepidation, but looking good for the Wild Boars so far.
Oooh it is 11. I changed my post 11 to 10 as other sites reported nothing on the 11th.
The logistics and coordination of this rescue is just off the scale. I hope so much they pull this off and limit their loses to just the one diver lost.
Was chatting to a friend overseas who is a cave dive rescue guy, some of his colleagues are there, he isn't as he broke his ankle biking - he's of the opinion that they must be heavi;y sedating them and packaging them up to get them out as in his words 'a rational person who doesn't cave dive would panic in that environment, but you wouldn't if you were absolutely clueless'. All in all, so far, an exceptional peformance. Fingers well and truly crossed.
he’s of the opinion that they must be heavi;y sedating them
Not sure how well that ties in with the reports of (some of) them walking out of the cave under their own steam
all out 🙂
Local TV says the tenth and eleventh boys to be rescued are about to be airlifted to hospital, while the ninth boy has reached the hospital in Chiang Rai.
Not quite all of them, then. Almost there though.
Absolutely incredible work.
Having seen a video of how they are basically strapped to a stretcher I can fully see why they would need to be sedated. Probably gives some reasoning as to why they are whisked straight off to hospital in ambulances rather than being filmed jumping for joy at the cave opening.
he’s of the opinion that they must be heavily sedating them
These kids did 10 days in total darkness with almost no food no communication, rising waters and kept going, Pretty disingenuous to suggest without being in possession of the facts that they might not be able to cope with the rescue without sedation. I think they are probably a lot tougher mentally than most of us!
sedatives don't necessarily prevent you from being active / mobile; different types work in different ways and some can leave you being still 'capable' just incredibly compliant / total lack of anxiety, etc.
I don't know, this is pure speculation but it was said that sedation was 'normal' in this type of rescue, and would suggest that no matter how 'with it' someone might appear prior to starting the escape, sedation might be precautionary because frankly, finding part way out that they actually do have a disposition to panic and you're well in the shite.
I don't disagree, this is his opinion of getting people out of caves for the last 35 years. Its been stated that they've had some anti-anxiety meds publically, his view is for safety reasons making them very relaxed and easier to manage is the safest extraction method. Having dived with him a lot but only in open water as I'm a total wuss and don't like the dark or confined spaces he is absolutely amazed with the outcome so far and also said that the organisation is incredible with so many people spread throughout the cave system to assist for very long period.
EDIT: Actually i lie, i did one caving section in a race with him which had me hyperventiating and he dragged me through the heartless beast 😉 If it was me i'd want to be whacked off my face enjoying the journey.
Incredible nonetheless and I'm sure i can hear Tom Hanks updating his CV as I type.
EDIT EDIT : ALL OUT, well fark me sideways, amazing story !
The 12th boy has been rescued, the Thai navy Seals have confirmed. “Hooyah.”
The Thai Navy seals have confirmed the four “frogs” remain in the cave. These are a doctor and three navy seals who have been supporting the boys.
News on TV saying the coach is out too.
Great news, let's hope the cave can be cleared/de-rigged safely.
Amazing effort.
Just 4 more divers to go now. Amazing. 👍🏼
Fantastic news!!
Great news, let’s hope the cave can be cleared/de-rigged safely.
I suppose the sensible move is just to get everyone out and leave the kit until dry season comes back around
Looking forward to the BBC (with Canal+) documentary!
"Hooyah!"
OK... We got work to do chaps....... time to decide who will be the cast....
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls000340192/
Well it may turn out that they were given sedatives as a precaution but I'd put my money on those particular kids not needing them. Fantastic result just sadly marred by the death of the rescue diver. I hope it will comfort his family to know just what a remarkable rescue he was part of and that there are 13 lives that will continue thanks to his sacrifice of his own.
Fully sedating them and bringing them out as parcels option would have probably been discounted as there were long sections of just cave walking and a rock climb/scramble. my understanding is they'd just inject a drug to cut out the fright/flight/panic bit in the brain.
excellent news