@alwaysamom - I thought the weakest/in need of possible medical attention were removed first.
Six out of danger now… hopefully the rest will follow soon. Amazing and brave international effort to save these boys.
This is wonderful news! It’s been a Herculean effort involving rescuers from all over the world and all of the careful preparation seems to be paying off.
Narongsak Osottanakorn, leader of rescue operations, is my hero!
I was wondering what order they’d be taken out in. Sadly, it makes sense to take the ones with the best chance first to maximize the chances of success. Starting off with a failure would be dreadful for the morale of all concerned.
I’m sure the coach will go last. He has done an amazing job.
My kudos to the brave rescuers who so willingly put themselves at risk, for others. I’m so sorry one lost his life. And to the ambulance and helicopter personnel, doctors, nurses, and staff on standby at the nearest hospital, and more.
My deepest concern is for the mental well-being of these boys and their coach, going forward. They aren’t grown men in a coal mine disaster- and even those suffer long debilitating results. There’ll be media attention, who knows what, and they’re young to have to deal with that and the reality of the experience.
And the coach? Fierce social pressure on him. Will he make it through that?
There will be a book & movie deal, I sure. I hope these boys get a decent financial deal out of it.
CNN reported that initially the boys in the best physical condition were taken out first, just to see that it would be possible for success. I haven’t heard any further reports on whether or not that has now changed.
I heard the coach is severely malnourished. Nevertheless, I suspect he will be the last to try to be rescued.
The news reported that the navy seals were with all the boys and surely they triaged them and assessed who needed the most immediate attention. Cannot imagine what it would be like in that cave if they took out the ones first “with the best chance of survival”. Would be horrible for those still in there, and they want the kids and the coach to keep up their energy and hope.
WaPo is also reporting that the healthiest were taken out first. Quoting the head of the rescue effort.
I strongly doubt that the rescuers making the decisions would actually TELL the boys and coach their reasons. I can’t imagine them saying “we’re taking X, Y, and Z because they are more likely to make it than the rest of you.”
News reports saying 6 out are backtracking now, saying 4 out and rescues pausing “overnight”.
It also means that if an unexpected problem occurs, there is a better chance of working through the problem (and then being aware of that possibility when rescuing the following ones).
CNN is saying 4 are now out, but one of my French news feeds has said 6, so I’m not sure where all these numbers are coming from. I’m eager to hear the details of how the extraction went. I’m sure it is a big boost to those remaining to know that some of their friends have made it.
News reports saying 6 out are backtracking now, saying 4 out and rescues pausing “overnight”.
Yes, I just read the four (6 was erroneously reported) strongest were taken out first, presumably because the weaker ones need a little more time to increase their strength (more nutrition) and skills, and to ensure that the mission had the best chance of success. There will now be a 10-20 hour rest period before the next attempt is made.
ETA: another report does say the weakest were taken first. Obviously lots of conflicitng info. I am so happy at least a few of them are out.
Do the same divers have to go back for another round? It was being reported that 18 divers had entered the caves for the rescue attempt. Not sure how many it took to escort the 4 out or whether some are staying to continue working with the remaining kids. I wish they were releasing more information about the process!
Heard on the news the same 18 are going back. Apparently, it takes great skill that not many divers have. Only those 18 are experienced enough to manage the risk. They are resting up and will start again tomorrow.
This is amazing, especially after reading what some of you more experienced divers had said about how tricky this is. I was sadly prepared for a very poor outcome. To have even some of them removed already is awesome!