This rescue effort proves international co-operation can work so well when politics is left on the sidelines. Lets all hope and pray for a successful conclusion to what is at present, a difficult situation.  

10 minutes ago, JAG said:

None of which is a reason why these boys should have been left to die, not is it in any way a valid reflection on the co-operation determination or bravery shown in the rescue operation.

All true.  But it does put things in to context that THOUSANDS of kids in this very same age bracket die every year on the roads and nothing is done about it. 

Do they call in road safety experts to advise and help? No. 

Do they try and implement simple steps like proper education and driving tests? No. 

Do they effectively enforce crash helmet laws? No

Do they give a flying duck? No.

This was a coming together of the best in their fields from different countries for a huge compassionate and humanitarian effort to save lives. This is still in Limbo but hoping these skilled Operators can successfully finish what they started and it has a happy ending!

53 minutes ago, mikekenya said:

How to get the boys out now instead of a long wait ??

As an ex commercial diver, use Surface Demand = no bulky SCUBA Tank in restricted areas.

Use a Dry Hat so no water on face AND be able to speak freely and be spoken to by Thai Navy Seals during the surface ascent.

 

I was thinking of something exactly along the same line as this.

 

I would add provision for watertight attachment of dry-hat to a wet or dry suit that would minimize the possibility of water breaking the seal of the dry hat as they contort through the maze of getting out. 

 

Maybe could even slightly pressurize it with a small ck valve to expel water that might leak in.

 

would prob need to add weights to try to keep buoyancy neutral. 

1 hour ago, Arkady said:

Congratulations to all. A huge team effort. The Thai authorities and the Navy Seals are to be respected for immediately accepting assistance from foreign experts without worrying about loss of face or other issues. It seems that the foreigners brought very specific skills that were vital to the rescue.

 

This is contrast to the Tsunami when foreign volunteers with much needed language skills were pushed aside in Phuket over work permit issues and Burma’s horrific floods when a US naval vessel carrying supplies for victims was turned away.

How disgraceful, I never knew about that until this incident. I hope all the westerners in Thailand start to realise just what a lot of Thai officialdom is really like.

While I hope there is no next time but IF there is a next time then it might be a good idea to forget the face-saving we-can-do-it-alone and get those professionals in immediately; it would have saved days and, in another incident, maybe lifes. The Russian sub rescue was of similar face-losing thematics; there is no face to lose and there is nothing wrong in the asking. Good example remains Iran which asked for help immediately after a terrible earth quake and among the first ones on the spot were the Americans. Political hatred and opposition camps aside it saved lots of lives. 

Just a thought ........ 

With all the International cooperation from various Countries, local merchants giving food to the volunteers, etc. it became a unified effort to rescue these boys and their coach. Incidents as such gives me hope in Humanities future.

1 hour ago, Confuscious said:

"Foreign volunteers make crucial contribution towards mission"

In the meantime:

- 60+ Thais will die today on the roads.
  Most of them because Thais and wearing helmets doesn't go well together.

 

- 25+ Thais will die today in Thai domestic disputes because Somchai has a little penis syndrome and is constantly fuelled with alcohol and drugs.

Cheers

Your second paragraph is way off, you make it look like Thailand is the only country who have domestic disputes, and are, as you say "constantly fueled with alcohol and drugs". Get a life.

It was good that no time was waisted  to get international help over to join the search..

 

29 minutes ago, Kaoboi Bebobp said:

 

Well said. And frankly, I'm rather surprised the Thais called on foreign assistance so quickly. Maybe a corner is being turned. Nevertheless, I'm getting the impression the Thai Navy Seals are doing a terrific job. The spirit of co-operation among Thai rescuers and the many foreigners bringing their expertise seems remarkably strong and effective. Top marks to all. Just need to keep the politicians away to let the professionals do their job.

and officious high ranking "police" officers who know nothing.

So impressive Thai navy seals not even able to deal with this problem alone...

Luckily at least someone has a brain to call people who know.

 

 

1 hour ago, ALFREDO said:

I believe on some places not enough space to fit threw with such thing. ?

He doesnt  mean exactly that type. His intention is to show something like that. Of course it would need to be quickly designed in a style that would be suitable to their conditions. 

People are just putting forward ideas that might spark another better idea. Their intentions are to help in their own small way. They and I shouldn't be belittled because of offering an idea. 

4 minutes ago, gaff said:

So impressive Thai navy seals not even able to deal with this problem alone...

Luckily at least someone has a brain to call people who know.

 

 

I think "seals" from any nation would not be any better they are just not trained for cave diving, the three Brits were skilled and experienced in cave rescue and quietly performed the task, then just as quietly went home!

1 hour ago, Srikcir said:

How about the government give them each 10-year visas with no annual renewals and/or a cash contribution to their nonprofit organization? A "Thanks" doesn't pay the bills.

 

I suspect the tax payers for each foreign volunteer's country will be the ones to foot the bill for this rescue operation.

 

I hope Thailand learns from this near tragic event and considers appropriate  warning signage where applicable.

5 hours ago, coulson said:

Magnificent effort by such a wide demographic. 

 

Shame this acknowledgement won't come from officialdom, just the press.

 

I wish they would send a few road safety experts here to assist 

3 hours ago, Arkady said:

Congratulations to all. A huge team effort. The Thai authorities and the Navy Seals are to be respected for immediately accepting assistance from foreign experts without worrying about loss of face or other issues. It seems that the foreigners brought very specific skills that were vital to the rescue.

 

This is contrast to the Tsunami when foreign volunteers with much needed language skills were pushed aside in Phuket over work permit issues and Burma’s horrific floods when a US naval vessel carrying supplies for victims was turned away.

Maybe an illustration of how the Thais should embrace, & learn from foreign expertise, in every area of life.

 

I know Thais are rightly proud of their country never having been colonised, but for example, they never had a colonial power teaching them how a police service should be set up and run. It's the Thai-way or the highway.

 

And no, I'm not a Thailand-basher, love the place, just looking at the root-cause of what I think is part of the problems that they encounter every day.

 

Great news that these kids are ok, well done to everyone involved.

3 hours ago, Xonax said:

Build a capsule with air tanks and drag them out with an attached wire one by one.

 

How would you get it around some of the corners that are less than 0.5 metres wide where even the cave divers and the SEALs had to take their tanks off to pass through some of the gaps?

3 hours ago, jmccarty said:

Any idea what the buoyancy of such a tube is when empty? Lets give them a 1m diameter tube.  The ends are sealed. It has 785kg of buoyancy per linear meter.  So no diver will be able to pull a 10m, 20m, any length underwater for any distance down, up no problem aside from it ascending uncontrollably.  If you fill it with water, it essentially collapses, it may stay somewhat open, but it will be very easy to get stuck in it.  If you can pump the water out, it has an enormous amount of buoyancy trying to get to the highest side, it is out of control and you don't want people in such a death trap.  Keep on thinking!   

 

So what will happen if the inflatable gets ripped open on the rocks with a child stuffed in it? Did you know that some of the way the tunnels are down to less than 0.5 metres wide where the rescue team could not get through with their tanks on.

1 hour ago, maxcorrigan said:

I think "seals" from any nation would not be any better they are just not trained for cave diving, the three Brits were skilled and experienced in cave rescue and quietly performed the task, then just as quietly went home!

They are still there and haven't gone home yet.

Man's humanity to his fellow man, could not be better illustrated.

4 minutes ago, billd766 said:

They are still there and haven't gone home yet.

Would hope so, they are needed here to counter some of the fabulous TVF rescue suggestions. 

3 hours ago, jmccarty said:

Any idea what the buoyancy of such a tube is when empty? Lets give them a 1m diameter tube.  The ends are sealed. It has 785kg of buoyancy per linear meter.  So no diver will be able to pull a 10m, 20m, any length underwater for any distance down, up no problem aside from it ascending uncontrollably.  If you fill it with water, it essentially collapses, it may stay somewhat open, but it will be very easy to get stuck in it.  If you can pump the water out, it has an enormous amount of buoyancy trying to get to the highest side, it is out of control and you don't want people in such a death trap.  Keep on thinking!   

I thought I'd read it all up till now. Rescue by bouncy castle.

2 hours ago, Peterw42 said:

Who is to say the volunteers want to stay or live in Thailand, other than the rescue.

Who says they don't?

Who says they won't be needed again? Already having visas would speed their return.

 

1 hour ago, sungod said:

 

Sadly, our 4+year experience of this man and his words teach us that what he says here means - absolutely zilch. 

 

3 hours ago, Xonax said:

Build a capsule with air tanks and drag them out with an attached wire one by one.

But make it flexible to navigate tight corners and obstacles.

5 hours ago, Fairynuff said:

I never shy away from criticizing Thailand when it’s appropriate and deserved, but to start bashing on this is just a bit nasty. There should be nothing but praise for all concerned

I agree... it was a huge team effort to rescue a team of young footballers... 
While the guys who finally located them were of foreign nationality and had immense cave rescue experience it was the Thai nationals who provided all the support required.. I must say in abundance!!

They all deserve praise...

I should think that someone with best-in-world level credentials at some kind of rescue, like the British divers, would have previously been in contact with their government and been awarded diplomatic passports that would override visa and work permit issues without having to jump through paperwork hoops in the middle of an emergency. They'd also have established contacts with their government and a rapid deployment plan.

First, a huge congratulations to all. Amazing effort of international cooperation with speed and finesse and both creative and critical thinking.

 

Just wondering where Canada was in all this? Probably making preparations to welcome another bunch of terrorists no doubt.

Thailand should be proud in the end result of what happened and the effort put into the mission by both Thais and foreign assistance.  Is nice to see the Thai's step aside or work in conjunction with some of the experience that came into take part.  Too often egos and turf assumptions misdirect in what is the ultimate goal.