Thai cave rescue - One of the divers has died

Hades

Hades

Hades

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I can't seem to find a thread on the Thai cave rescue. Sadly one of the brave divers has died when his oxygen ran out. It's a reminder of just how difficult and dangerous the rescue is.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-44734385

I'm really hoping and praying (as far as an atheist can) that they can get the kids and teacher out of there. It's an incredible achievement to find them and there are now over a thousand people from various countries all trying to get them out. I think it shows just how much compassion there can be in us all when it's needed.

RIP to the diver who has now died. It's very sad to find that out and I hope they don't tell the children about it until they are out.
 
Can’t they lay a guide rope through the way out and get the kids to dive through?

Purely random thoughts, I know nothing about cave diving.
 
I did think it a bit odd he would let his oxygen get so low, but then I guess it's easy to say from the armchair.

RIP. Very honourable sacrifice.
 
Cave diving is horrifically hard and dangerous - tried it once, never again. Have done tons of wreck dives and stuff, but caving is just horrifically different.

Pedant: Ran out of air, not oxygen. You rarely dive on oxygen as such, and certainly not at any depth.
 
This just shows you the magnitude of the situation. One of the most elite divers in the world being killed trying to get out does not bode well for the uninitiated.

I really hope the kids are not aware this guy died. I have not been following this very closely but I know they were looking at pumping water out of the cave system. To my mind this is where the effort should be concentrated so that the dive out is easier.

Nightmare scenario that makes me shudder just thinking about it.
 
MookJong said:
Nightmare scenario that makes me shudder just thinking about it.
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Same here, I've done normal caving once and that gives you mini panic attacks when you get caught or are squeezing through tight spaces. I can't think of many worse ways to go out than what's happened to this diver, just hope that with his experience he just sort of realised what was happening and gave in rather than sheer panic :(
 
MacRS4 said:
Cave diving is horrifically hard and dangerous - tried it once, never again. Have done tons of wreck dives and stuff, but caving is just horrifically different.

Pedant: Ran out of air, not oxygen. You rarely dive on oxygen as such, and certainly not at any depth.
Click to expand...

Indeed. I however find it strange that he ran out of air, unless he was doing this solo? I thought there was a few of them and find it strange no one did buddy checks, would have flagged that air was a bit low to make the trip.

My guess is they got a bit lax in the process, which is understandable as the pressure/adrenaline would be high. Horrible way to go though, very sad. I'm a diver, and have a fear of drowning, for me it's above being burnt as a way to go.
 
robfosters said:
Can’t they lay a guide rope through the way out and get the kids to dive through?
Click to expand...

That is exactly what they're doing. However:

* many of the kids cannot swim
* none of the kids have any experience with scuba gear
* the distance between the cave and the exit is 4km
* the trip from the cave to the exit takes at least 5 hours (most of it underwater)
* visibility is nil

rexehuk said:
Indeed. I however find it strange that he ran out of air, unless he was doing this solo? I thought there was a few of them and find it strange no one did buddy checks, would have flagged that air was a bit low to make the trip.

My guess is they got a bit lax in the process, which is understandable as the pressure/adrenaline would be high. Horrible way to go though, very sad. I'm a diver, and have a fear of drowning, for me it's above being burnt as a way to go.
Click to expand...

He was diving with a partner, who brought him back up to the surface. Unfortunately it was too late.
 
I've done some (relatively easy) cave diving.

I've dived in zero visibility and strong currents.

I've been involved in the rescue of a diver who passed out at six meters down.

I can't imagine what it's like to experience all three of those things at once. :(

RIP to the guy. Anyone brave enough to do what those rescue divers are doing gets my utmost respect and admiration.
 
Evangelion said:
* the distance between the cave and the exit is 4km
* the trip from the cave to the exit takes at least 5 hours (most of it underwater)
* visibility is nil
Click to expand...

That would be terrifying. 5 hours/4km in an underwater cave, full of twists etc, in muddy water with limited air supply, with nothing but a rope to hang on to? I'll pass.
 
I had no idea of the distance needed to travel have just read about it... Jesus :0

Doing that trip in the dark would definitely be terrifying and seriously hard if you aren't fit.

As for learning to dive first, forgive my ignorance but isn't diving just put on an oxygen tank and swim? :/
 
This is exceptionally sad, though the whole situation is remarkable that they've been found and have the potential to be rescued but need training in the process. I just wonder if it will be made harder as times goes on as depending where the boys are they probably don't have space to exercise and their depleting fitness levels could affect their ability to learn and actually get out.

I would be saddened but not surprised if they don't all make it. Certainly the diver is a hero but I guess this will make the effort slower as they won't want anyone else to die or get hurt.
 
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