Thirteen divers entered the cave at 10am Sunday local time (1pm AEST) — some heading straight for the trapped group and others taking up stations along the string of flooded chambers. Ten rescuers headed to the boys in chamber nine and to the junction at chamber six, while the others headed to support positions shortly afterwards.
Each boy had to wear a full scuba mask, wetsuit, boots and a helmet as they made their way through the dark and perilous passageways. They were strapped to the leading diver by a tether and dragged along by their “buddy”, who carried two tanks and shared oxygen with the boy as they followed a submerged rope. A second diver followed the pair through the cold water and airless chambers that have already claimed one life. The foreign divers and five Thai divers entered the caves after an Australian doctor gave the all-clear. Locals were required because none of the foreigners speak Thai and communication before and during the dive was key. Additional rescue personnel, including divers from Thailand, the US, Australia, China and Europe, were stationed between the third chamber and the entrance, where the boys would have to use a rope to traverse challenging terrain. The first two boys successfully completed their mission at 5.40pm and 5.50pm local time (8.40pm and 8.50pm AEST), with another two following two hours later, ten minutes apart. There were hopes another two boys might make it out, but the rescue had to be placed on hold for 10-20 hours while oxygen supplies were replenished. As morning breaks, the remaining eight boys and their 25-year-old soccer coach will be hoping they, too, are as successful as the first four. And they have the whole world hoping with them.
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