{"id":147438,"date":"2018-06-27T19:42:24","date_gmt":"2018-06-27T19:42:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/freeonlinetranslators.net\/news\/english\/thailand-cave-rescue-how-would-you-survive-in-a-cave\/"},"modified":"2018-06-27T19:42:24","modified_gmt":"2018-06-27T19:42:24","slug":"thailand-cave-rescue-how-would-you-survive-in-a-cave","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/freeonlinetranslators.net\/news\/english\/thailand-cave-rescue-how-would-you-survive-in-a-cave\/","title":{"rendered":"Thailand cave rescue: How would you survive in a cave?"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"ThaiImage copyright AFP\/Getty
Image caption The teenagers and their coach have been trapped in the Thai cave for days <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A group of 12 teenagers have been trapped underground in Thailand with their football coach for the last four days.<\/p>\n

Heavy rain has flooded the cave system, hindering the authorities' attempts at a rescue.<\/p>\n

But what are the best ways to survive in a cave? <\/p>\n

We spoke to cavers, who emphasised the need to stay warm, keep hydrated, and stay out of danger when trapped underground.<\/p>\n

What to do if you're trapped<\/h2>\n

Anmar Mirza, national co-ordinator of the US National Cave Rescue Commission, says the first thing to do is make sure you're not in any immediate danger. Rockfalls pose a risk, but the major worry is flooding.<\/p>\n

"You want to seek the highest point in the cave," Mr Mirza said. His advice is to try to guess where water had risen to in previous floods. "There's a number of ways to determine that point - look for mud, leaves, wet slime on the walls."<\/p>\n

Image copyright AFP\/Getty
Image caption Rockfalls can be a risk in caves <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Then, you want to check what supplies you have with you.<\/p>\n

Depending on how long you are in the cave, you may be forced to ration food, water, and even light.<\/p>\n

Keep warm<\/h2>\n

The first major risk, Mr Mirza says, is hypothermia. <\/p>\n

"Wring out clothes to keep them dry," he says, "and huddle together for warmth."<\/p>\n

Andy Eavis, retired head of the British Caving Association, says thankfully hypothermia probably won't be a big issue in the Thai cave system.<\/p>\n

"The ambient temperatures will be fairly high," he says, estimating them to be between 23-26C (73-79F).<\/p>\n

Image copyright AFP\/Getty
Image caption Rescuers have been trying to pump the water out of the caves <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Mr Eavis, 70, has been exploring caves for the past 50 years, including some in Thailand, Myanmar and China - although not the cave system in which the teenagers and their coach are trapped.<\/p>\n

He says many of these caves are huge - some big enough to be explored "with aeroplanes" - and doesn't think they're likely to flood to the roof.<\/p>\n

"If they're sitting out of the water, they won't die of hypothermia," he says.<\/p>\n

Mr Eavis describes being trapped in a cave in the Pyrenees with two other cavers, where the water was about 2C (36F).<\/p>\n

"We were there for 55 hours," he said. "But thankfully, we were wearing wetsuits."<\/p>\n

Water<\/h2>\n

After warmth, Mr Mirza says, the next major concern is water.<\/p>\n

"Keep yourself hydrated, but beware of dirty water in the cave," Mr Mirza says. "It's a balancing act - diarrhoea and vomiting would make dehydration a bigger problem later."<\/p>\n

Even if the water is dirty, it won't pose an immediate problem, says Mr Eavis. "Most cave waters are reasonably drinkable," he says. "It might cause upset tummies though."<\/p>\n

Image copyright Getty Images
Image caption Flooding can pose a serious risk in caves <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Bill Whitehouse, retired chairman of the British Cave Rescue Council, recommends looking around the cave. <\/p>\n

"Little drips and inlets may have fresher water," he says. "But long term, food will be the problem."<\/p>\n

Mr Mirza agrees. "If you have food, make sure not to eat it all at once."<\/p>\n

Air<\/h2>\n

Oxygen is also a factor. However, all three men agree that this isn't as big a concern as you'd think.<\/p>\n

"Most caves naturally breath," Mr Mirza says. "Air can get in and out where people can't."<\/p>\n

    \n
  • The cave divers who went back for their friends<\/li>\n
  • Two days in an underwater cave running out of oxygen <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Carbon dioxide levels can rise if people are trapped in such a small space for so long. But for the most part, the rescuers agree lack of air isn't a major problem.<\/p>\n

    "In general, it's not uncommon for oxygen levels to be slightly low in caves," says Mr Whitehouse. "But not seriously low. It depends on the cave."<\/p>\n

    Mental strain<\/h2>\n

    You may have all the supplies to survive, but keeping calm in the dark can be difficult.<\/p>\n

    "I always tell people it's a marmite sport," says Mr Whitehouse. "Underground is one of those places you're either happy or you're not."<\/p>\n

    "Don't panic," says Mr Eavis. "Panicking and trying to get out come what may is the biggest risk."<\/p>\n

    Image copyright EPA
    Image caption Rescuers have been trying to find another way into the cave <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    For the Thai teenagers, a lot of pressure will be on whoever is in charge to stop them from trying to dive into the waters, which could be dangerous.<\/p>\n

    "The leader will have to really control them to stop them doing anything silly, like dive in," he said.<\/p>\n

    "It's mentally very taxing being in the dark."<\/p>\n

    Mr Mirza says lighting is not as problematic as it once was.<\/p>\n

    "Experienced cavers will have hundreds of hours of light with them - modern LEDs, lithium batteries."<\/p>\n

    But in the case of the teenagers in Thailand, it could be an issue.<\/p>\n

    "We're not talking about cavers here. They're probably not well equipped," says Mr Whitehouse. <\/p>\n

    Image copyright Getty Images
    Image caption Modern LED torches mean lighting is not as big a problem as it once was <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    General advice?<\/h2>\n

    As a rule, if you're going to enter a cave, you should always be prepared, Mr Whitehouse says.<\/p>\n

    "Get the right information, get the right kit, and go with someone who knows the cave," he says.<\/p>\n

    The veteran cave rescuer also says a vital point is to tell someone where you are going before you go.<\/p>\n

    "The earlier we get the callout the sooner something can be done," he says.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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