12 boys lost in flooded Thai cave

[KevinNM]

1. This particular dive site seems to be unique, with multiple dives interspersed with short surface intervals required to progress into the cave. How did both the OC and rebreather (CCR or SCR?) deal with repetitive shallow and somewhat deeper dives in terms of deco planning?

This actually fairly typical of the caves in the UK and elsewhere. The Florida/Mexico caves are really pretty unusual in that they are divable from the entrance and completely below the water table.

Elsewhere cave diving is something that you do as a caver to gain access to another section of a dry cave. So what was being done to get themselves in and out wasn’t something that the lead divers hadn’t done before. It was the kids that were the huge issue.

The reports I’ve seen suggest that the water was all shallower than the infinite no-deco limit, or was at most at the many hours before you need to consider decompression level.

 

[Colliam7]

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A ScubaBoard Staff Message...

Several A&I threads discussing various aspects of the rescue of the Thai schoolboys and their coach have been merged into one, for archival purposes. This should facilitate discussion of the events,

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[Storker]

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Just FTR, here's the link to that article: British caver Rob Harper is thanked and honoured by Thailand

 

[Colliam7]

I am particularly curious about one comment / report in the discussion of the rescue preparations. Reference was made - somewhere - to Richard Harris as a physician (an anesthesiologist as I understand it, although a slightly different term - 'anesthetist', which is usually reserved for non-physicians engaging in anesthesia practices - was used in the public prints) who helped 'prepare' the boys for their extraction. I am wondering what specific approach was used, to presumably help reduce the likelihood of panic occurring. It makes sense to me that something like this would have been done, and I would love to know exactly what agent(s) was/were used.

 

[Wingy]

Listening to an interview with Dr Harris dive buddy and local vet here from Perth who were a team from go to mission accomplished they used Ketamine. Dr Craig Challon being a vet and ketamine being used mostly for vetinary work I'd say is purely coincidental...I'm sure there was a reason it was chosen.

Anethitist is the commonly used term here. "Harry" also had a skill set from his work with the south Australian emergency response that gave him added 'value' - ie swift water rescue training, air ambulance work etc.

 

[Schwob]

Cave rescue: The dangerous diseases lurking underground

 

[Storker]

Dr Craig Challon being a vet and ketamine being used mostly for vetinary work I'd say is purely coincidental...

 

[Colliam7]

Listening to an interview with Dr Harris dive buddy and local vet here from Perth who were a team from go to mission accomplished they used Ketamine.

Thank you! That makes sense. I was wondering how they managed to get a group of non-diver youngsters out, through a cave, without then freaking out. Based on your post, I Googled it and, sure enough, there are several articles that mention it. And, I now know what 'falling into a K hole' means.

 

[Wingy]

Given Ketamines often very negative effects on the human body (I'm only speculating here) there is a dosage that is referred to by junkies as "Key Holing" where you know you are alive but are unable to move, open your eyes or speak. If that was the dose given...what a pair of brilliant minds It must have taken to correctly give each boy dosage suitable for their body weight to take them to the edge of that state. The good docs were good..no..best..no..very best.

ETA - Ketamine seems to wear off quite quickly - not sure of the effect on humans but I've seen my colts gelded in the paddock after Ketamine and get up and stagger for a few minutes then be walking perfectly (if painfully) within ten minutes.

 

[Storker]

I was wondering how they managed to get a group of non-diver youngsters out, through a cave, without then freaking out.

Heck, I'm a diver, and if they were to get me out in those conditions, I'd strongly recommend them to drug me to the gills.