Football team trapped in Thai cave complex

[ThaiCaveDiver]

Last time I heard from the cave support team, most parts of the cave were underwater now. On the way in seem like a one-way tunnel, but, there're other tunnels once you turn around and the flow is really strong from the continuous rainning.
Ben had to abort the dive when he was about a kilometer from site where they hope to found the children.

[ThaiCaveDiver]

https://www.facebook.com/10001345041...6144340756081/
The video in this link show the entrance to 2nd chamber.

[BluEclipse17]

I volunteered to go over 3 days ago through a FB contact, could be there at no cost in 24 hours - heard no reply........

I saw this on facebook earlier today. Might be worth trying to reach out to this person.

"RTN S.E.A.L. #Thamluang urgently needs STRONG diving volunteers!!!!!

Before volunteering, carefully read the requirements and job descriptions detailed below. Competency is compulsory in this operation.
What you need to do: transport supplies of scuba tanks, food, drinking water, first aid kit, etc. from the cave entrance to help set up the new S.E.AL. Rescue Base in Chamber No. 3, approximately 3km from the entrance.

You must be able to: know how to breathe through a regulator and pull yourself using the guide rope against cold (~ 20C) and strong current, in low visibility without panicking. You don't need to be a certified cave diver, but you must be able to hike the steep slope with full gear and the said supplies (20-30 kg) for a few hundred meters.

You must bring your own diving equipment (fins not necessary) including an underwater torch with a burn time of at least 5 hours, and you should also bring your own helmet.

The passage is approximately 2-3 km long and you will be submerged for a distance of 10-15m at each flooded point. In addition, there is one very narrow channel where you will have to dismount your gear to continue. The last hike is up a 45 degrees slope that is slippery and muddy (see diagram).

If you think you are qualified, and will be not be a burden to the rescue operation, kindly contact K.Top 0875027414, LineID: topks233.

The dive team at Tham Luang reserve the rights to choose applicants. You must be ready to mobilise ASAP and there is no travel and accommodation budget, but the locals are very kind and may provide free food and beverages!"

[crookshanky]

Well I was just interviewed by the Canadian TV network for about 5 minutes over a cellphone. Did anyone on here in Canada happen to be watching?

Didn't catch it. Which network was it??

[crookshanky]

Update from Blue Label Diving's (Ben Reymenants) FB page

Looks like they have about 1200 m left of line to lay before they reach the area where they suspect the boys to be.

Seems a few shops from Koh Tao have donated SM gear for the effort as well...

https://www.facebook.com/bigbluetech...597612/?type=3

[crookshanky]

I saw this on facebook earlier today. Might be worth trying to reach out to this person.

"RTN S.E.A.L. #Thamluang urgently needs STRONG diving volunteers!!!!!

Before volunteering, carefully read the requirements and job descriptions detailed below. Competency is compulsory in this operation.
What you need to do: transport supplies of scuba tanks, food, drinking water, first aid kit, etc. from the cave entrance to help set up the new S.E.AL. Rescue Base in Chamber No. 3, approximately 3km from the entrance.

You must be able to: know how to breathe through a regulator and pull yourself using the guide rope against cold (~ 20C) and strong current, in low visibility without panicking. You don't need to be a certified cave diver, but you must be able to hike the steep slope with full gear and the said supplies (20-30 kg) for a few hundred meters.

You must bring your own diving equipment (fins not necessary) including an underwater torch with a burn time of at least 5 hours, and you should also bring your own helmet.

The passage is approximately 2-3 km long and you will be submerged for a distance of 10-15m at each flooded point. In addition, there is one very narrow channel where you will have to dismount your gear to continue. The last hike is up a 45 degrees slope that is slippery and muddy (see diagram).

If you think you are qualified, and will be not be a burden to the rescue operation, kindly contact K.Top 0875027414, LineID: topks233.

The dive team at Tham Luang reserve the rights to choose applicants. You must be ready to mobilise ASAP and there is no travel and accommodation budget, but the locals are very kind and may provide free food and beverages!"

Here's the link to the FB post (with rough sketch of the cave system)...

https://www.facebook.com/digitalay/p...29237023796534

Seems they need volunteers to hump gear through the sumps.

[Michael F]

https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/rescuer...boys-1.3995510

[diverdarren]

The help that has been described today on this forum as being needed is exactly what I have been thinking that the American cave divers might be able to provide. The divers on scene making this push are likely becoming fatigued and fresh divers could make a serious difference in this attempt. I would encourage any divers on this forum who think that they meet the qualifications and have the time and ability to help, to please make arrangements to do so immediately. I'm not saying that this is the right thing for all of us, and I don't think anyone who cannot provide help needs to make any excuses, but if any of you can, don't let the nay-sayers talk you out of helping.

[phillip1]

Can someone enlighten me please.
What is taking so long? According to the provided map it should not take 10 days to reach the 3rd chamber. There are a few short sumps and some dry caving passages between.
Reading CNN reports they are bringing 600 tanks and are staging tanks every 25 meters (for what?) bringing heaps of gear and still have only barely reached chamber 3 and made no further pushes beyond. It seems to me that the priority should be to reach the trapped kids and at the same time prepare base camps etc.
Is this waste of time due to incompetence of navy divers and an attitude of ?the army knows best? instead of having real cavers and dump Divers be put in charge. The pics of navy ?Divers? shows open water gear.
Thanks

[rblackburn]

Can someone enlighten me please.
What is taking so long? According to the provided map it should not take 10 days to reach the 3rd chamber. There are a few short sumps and some dry caving passages between.
Reading CNN reports they are bringing 600 tanks and are staging tanks every 25 meters (for what?) bringing heaps of gear and still have only barely reached chamber 3 and made no further pushes beyond. It seems to me that the priority should be to reach the trapped kids and at the same time prepare base camps etc.
Is this waste of time due to incompetence of navy divers and an attitude of ?the army knows best? instead of having real cavers and dump Divers be put in charge. The pics of navy ?Divers? shows open water gear.
Thanks

They have CDG members there from Great Brittan. Very qualified cavers/sump divers. They are having issues with flow, etc. Read back through the messages in this thread. It might help you understand.