[DOCUMENTARY] ⏯ 13 Lives: a Complete Review of the Cave Rescue in Thailand

Two cave divers who are not socially inept leave the UK for Thailand for the rescue of thirteen lives. And there are still other rescuers, including hundreds of volunteers from over 20 countries and about 5,000 residents in Thailand. We already know that the film has a happy ending, but I still recommend you to watch Thirteen Lives. It takes you two and a half hours to watch the film, but you will get a new understanding of wonders.

This is not the first movie that tells the event of a cave rescue in Thailand. On the fourth anniversary of the incident, Ron Howard once again makes the stunning incident a film. Besides, he invites two capable actors to cooperate, who are Viggo Mortensen and Colin Farrell, letting them receive professional diving training.

The film is funded greatly, and it shows the actual situation of the rescue. Furthermore, it is completely consistent with major characters and important events of the incident. The film also reproduces the scenes and props to a large extent. The production team rebuilds the cave and keeps shooting underwater throughout the whole process. You will be transported to the rescue spot when you watch the film, and you might feel the suffocation and desperation during the rescue.

Based on the relevant materials of the news and the film, I summarize a relatively complete real situation of the rescue, hoping it will be helpful to you.

The Cause

On June 23, 2018, thirteen people involving twelve boys and the coach of a teenage soccer team are celebrating a member's birthday in the Tham Luang cave in Chiang Rai, a northern city in Thailand. However, a sudden rainstorm comes and never stops. The flood quickly pours into the cave, blocking their way out of the cave.

The Navy SEALs of Thailand comes

There are three entrances in the Tham Luang cave, which is 10 kilometers long. No one knows where they are located in the cave. The cave is filled with floodwater. Besides, the rescue conditions are very poor since there is no light. But lives are important, so the rescue must be implemented without any delay. Thailand is in its monsoon season at the end of June. Instead of ending, the heavy rain will last for four months. Thus, it will be worse for the rescue conditions and results, if the rescue is not operated quickly.

The local police come to the rescuing spot, but they have no means in the face of the flood-filled cave. Then, they bring the SEALs, a naval force in Thailand. The SEALs quickly come to the scene and they start the rescue with diving equipment. However, the SEALs never dive into the cave, so they can only return after advancing 200 meters. Cave diving requires specific equipment and skills, and only professional cave divers could do that.

So, here come two men from the UK.

Cave diving is a very difficult sport that requires numerous training. Besides, the equipment needs to be customized. There are very few cave divers who can reach the professional level. Coincidentally, Vern Unsworth, a cave explorer from the UK, is there when the incident happens. (He is in the area and has explored the Tham Luang cave many times.) Then, he volunteers to tell the cave conditions and suggests local government a list of professional rescuers from the British Cave Rescue Council (BCRC).

Richard Stanton (Rick in the film) is a retired firefighter. And his friend John Volanthen is an IT consultant. The two have different occupations, but they both love cave diving. They are also the core members of the BCRC, being experienced and professional.

In the Mexican cave rescue in 2004, the Ministry of Defense of the UK invited Rick and John to carry out the rescue after eliminating various diplomatic difficulties. Among the six trapped British soldiers, two of them know nothing about diving, and one of them is afraid of water. But finally, they are all taken out safely by Rick and John. In 2010, it took Rick 50 hours to dive 8.8 kilometers, setting a new record for the longest distance of cave diving. In the documentary Diving into the Unknown (2016), the two tried to salvage the remains of victims in the deep seas of Norway, while the conditions were extremely dangerous at that time.

Now, they immediately go to Thailand from the UK when hearing the news of the rescue.

The story of the two men is finished.

The personnel composition of this rescue is very complex. All people with relevant experience volunteered to join in the rescue because the natural conditions are extremely complex. Those people include a special rescue squad from the United States Indo-Pacific Command, a diving rescue team and mountain rescue team from China, cave divers from Australia and Europe, and rescuers from more than 20 countries and NGOs. They all come to Chiang Rai one after another and join in the rescue urgently.

At this time, the entrance of Tham Luang cave has been submerged, and the torrent is constantly spewing out. Even if the correct direction is confirmed, cave divers need to get over the turbid torrent coming from the opposite direction, and swim through the dark, sharp, and steep rock walls, as long as they want to enter the cave. Inside the cave are many hollow and narrow passages, which are twisty. The jagged stalactites have sharp edges that could pierce through the gel coat and hurt skin at any time.

John and Rick know about the rough terrain when they enter the cave. Unexpectedly, there are many fragments underwater, including wires, cables, pumps, pipes, etc. All kinds of things spread all over the water, bringing great obstacles to their progress. John says that it is a dark and submerged abyss with little visibility underwater.

And the mountain rescue teams failed too, the same as the cave divers. Mountain rescuers from countries including China, the United States, Russia, and Japan climb in the heavy rain to find the opening of other caves. But they make no progress, even though they keep searching day and night. Finally, the mountain teams get completely helpless. Everyone stays in the camp at the entrance of the cave, and the rescue comes to a standstill.

It is the seventh day. John and Rick contact the British embassy in Thailand, and they decide to leave.

The legend of Tham Luang.

By reading the name of the Tham Luang cave, we feel that it is a little mythical. A long time ago, the princess fell in love with a stable boy, and the two eloped. But they were hunted down by the king, and the groom was mercilessly killed. The princess was depressed after hearing the news of her husband's death. She took off her hairpin and committed suicide. Her hair becomes the Mae Sai River, her blood becomes a cave, and her body becomes mountains. Thailand believes in Buddhism. So local people attach great importance to beliefs and legends. The children are trapped in the cave, which is treated as the "revenge" of the princess by many locals.

The families and residents start praying for them, from the day the children are trapped. People bow down to the statue of the princess, hoping to ask for her mercy. Some people believe that the king and the princess have reconciled, but there is a lack of chance for a confession. People think of Kruba Boonchum. The monk from Myanmar is considered to be the reincarnation of the king. If he could talk to the princess, the princess's hatred may be released, and then she can let go of the children.

The local people petitioned to invite Kruba Boonchum. He and his disciples come to the entrance of the cave to practice deeds. Then, he goes deep into the cave by himself and has a dialogue with the princess for two hours. He tells people not to worry, and the kids are fine and will be out in a few days. However, two people will die because of this.

Owning to the remarks of the monk, local people are being encouraged. Strangely, the rain stops when the monk comes. The heavy rain in the monsoon climate stops, even weather experts dare not predict that. Besides, it stops for three consecutive days.

The rain stops.

With no rain for three days, that is the best time for rescue teams, and it is also the last chance for the children. The huge drainage machine that keeps operating finally makes a difference. The drainage volume finally exceeds the water intake. Thanet Natisri, an owner of a Thai restaurant, arrives, and he rushes from the United States. He is like a student, wearing a blue shirt and carrying a backpack. After arriving, the Thai military quickly communicates with him about the situation. It turns out that he is also an expert in water conservation. He is responsible for monitoring and maintaining the water level in the cave, pumping the water out of the cave, and directing the exploration team to prevent the drained water from flowing back into the cave through the sewers. Under his direction, the drainage machine continues working, and the water level is effectively controlled.

Hundreds of farmers around the cave also participate in the work of drainage. About 2.2 square kilometers of their farmland and crops are ruined. On one hand, they cooperate with the army to open up a route to divert water, so that the rainfall will flow to the farmland and the water level in the cave is prevented from rising. On the other hand, the sewage discharged from the cave can be directly discharged to the farmland.

The rain suddenly stops, making people believe that it is the will of the universe. Everyone insists on it. As the diving oxygen cylinders are continuously delivered to the scene, people never give up. John and Rick once again join in the rescue, even if they are already packed. They must seize the chance now. Because it is said that the monsoon rain will last for four months, in line with the weather forecast.

If you want to save people, you need to find them first. The children should run to a high place after the floodwaters pour into the cave. The most likely place to survive is Pattaya Beach, the highest area in the cave. John and Rick return and grope the cave. According to the calculated location, they go and find the completely invisible Pattaya Beach.

13

The two are mentally prepared to touch the dead body in the water. They also float to the surface and smell if there is the flavor of putrid corpses. The cave divers can only use 1/3 of the oxygen, to ensure safety. But experienced John uses too much oxygen that day, He shouldn't do that, because it's dangerous.

Then, they see a light.13 people, all alive.

There is no doubt that the two are excited to see them. They first go back to chamber 3 in the cave. The SEALs know the news and report it to the public. People are all thrilled about the news, which is indescribable. However, that means a more serious problem. How do the 13 surviving people leave the cave?

The SEALs send divers and doctors to deliver supplies to the children. The water level in the cave is controlled, but it does not mean that the water is decreased. So, transport is very difficult for the inexperienced in cave diving. And there might be a dangerous behavior of running out of oxygen. It might happen to the soldiers. So, children can't swim out of the cave by diving.

The first death

The children are still in the cave, but the rescue plan is still pending. Then, the rescue is dragged to desperation by the death of Saman Kunan.

Sam, 38, was a SEAL veteran. He volunteered to help with the rescue after reading the news that the children were trapped. At 8:37 pm on July 5, Sam delivered three oxygen tanks from chamber 3 to chamber 9, where the children were. The oxygen tanks were successfully delivered. On the return journey, Sam lost consciousness because the oxygen was used up, while he was about to reach chamber 3. Sam died at 1 am on July 6.

The sad atmosphere of the rescue gets even duller, because of Sam's sacrifice. The SEALs quickly adjust the oxygen supply strategy in the cave. In addition to the oxygen tanks used by the divers themselves, they no longer deliver the oxygen tanks through people. Instead, the oxygen will be discharged into the cave through the exhaust pipe. All rescue teams from other countries stop all operations and the Thai military ordered that no rescue team could cross chamber 3. Cave diving is a professional skill that no army in the world has mastered, except professional cave divers.

It is the first person dead in the entire rescue operation. His wife is devastated after hearing the news. The Thai military holds a solemn funeral for him. But people's desperation cannot be eliminated by that.

Another Rick

Rick has a friend from Australia, who is also a cave diver. That is Richard Harris. In the film, to distinguish the two Richards, Richard from the UK keeps his original name Rick Stanton, while the Australian Richard uses his nickname when he dives into the cave, Harry Harris. For ease of reading, I will call him Dr. Harris.

Dr. Harris is an anesthesiologist. And his wife, Fiona Harris, is an internist. Both of them are experienced in medical treatment. But the couple is stunned by Rick's news.

"What do you think about sedating the boys and diving them out?"

Rick's message is received on July 5. That is two days after the founding of the 13 people. The children and coach can have some foods to feed themselves. But their health conditions are deteriorating, and the oxygen in the cave will eventually be used up. The rescue should be urgent. Dr. Harris agrees to come to the scene to participate in the rescue. But he does not take the advice of anesthesia. Before leaving, he visits his father, another Dr. Harris.

Dr. Harris arrives at the scene, and it is the 14th day since 13 people were trapped. He goes into the cave first and confirms the location of the 13 people. To his surprise, all of them are in good spirits, and none of the children even cries. But judging from his medical experience, they should be dead if they continue to stay there. He finally understands that Rick's approach isn't crazy. It is the only theoretically possible way.

The monsoon weather is unhurriedly carrying out its countdown. Heavier rain is coming soon. Dr. Harris decides to support the way of sedating, even though it makes him look like a liar. He is the only one who has both professional cave diving skills and anesthesia skills. He tells everyone about the plan, but people are reluctant to accept it. However, they have reached a desperate situation.

Waiting.

BCRC follows the rescue progress. It invites more cave divers with rescue abilities to Chiang Rai. There are Chris Jewell who is an IT consultant, the contractor Jason Mallinson and many cave divers from the UK and around the world. They volunteer to join in the rescue. There are more and more professional cave divers in the cave camp, and they are gathered together and ready to act together.

There is always a "but". This time, the "but" is from the Thai government. Anesthesia rescue is too dangerous, and no one can predict what will happen. They've lost Sam. And they cannot bear the consequences if there are other casualties. The government will not allow any risky operation unless it is definitely to be successful. On the other hand, the laws in Thailand are very strict. The act of anesthetizing children might bring them to imprisonment if some accidents happen.

Without a definite rescue plan, the rescuers practice simulated rescue in the base camp. For example, they simulate cave diving routes, rescue poses, mask using, wrapping, transporting, etc. During this time, Dr. Harris teaches other divers to practice giving injections with plastic bottles. They keep putting pressure on the government because they cannot go upstream to implement the rescue once the heavy rain starts again. More importantly, the oxygen in the cave is already less than 16%.

Action

It is the 16th day that the children and the coach have been trapped. Heavy rain may come at any time. On this day, everyone gathers and prepares for the action. The medical team and ambulance arrive at the scene, and the army and volunteers are in their respective positions. Ten divers are fully armed, 22 rope teams are present, and the Thailand National Coordination Team gets ready in chamber 3 in the cave. 4 divers set off successively, and swim to chamber 9.

According to the established plan, the divers first give the children a tranquilizer and then inject anesthesia. When the children are unconscious, they press their heads under the water and tie their hands. They will renew the oxygen cylinder for the children, and inject another shot of anesthesia halfway through the delivery. Then, they continue to move on. These might be sounded strange, but that is truly the beginning of real rescue. Every detail concerns people's lives, survival, or dead. It contains more than children. Divers transport the four children out through the life safety rope, which takes 11 hours. It is already dark when the divers come out.

The next day, the 11-hour rescue is shortened to 5 hours. It goes very smoothly. Just as people plan to continue the rescue of the rest of them, the heavy rain being reported that has never come arrives as scheduled.

The high morale is quickly diluted by the heavy rain. The entire entrance of the cave is already flooded, and diversion will ruin everything. After a brief discussion, the divers wear their armor without a word. That means the rescue will be continued. On this day, they rescue the remaining 5 people.

Finale

People feel released, as the last child is loaded into an ambulance. Everyone opens the wine secretly brought into the cave and toasts. But at the moment, a cry for help is sounded. That is unexpected. The pump of chamber 3 in the cave bursts suddenly, and the water that is pumped out quickly pours back into the cave. The water rises quickly, but four people from the SEALs do not return. Just when the water level almost touches the top of the cave, the life rope moves. The four SEALs come out holding their breaths with their heads holding high. Water fills the cave immediately after they are safely evacuated.

The Chinese rescue team is the last one out of the cave. The rescue rope is not removed, so it is left in the cave to commemorate this extraordinary rescue.

The turbulent flood drives everyone away. It is like a princess saying that the children are safe, and you should go. Kruba Boonchum accurately predicts the outcome of the rescue. But what he says about the princess in the cave will remain a mystery forever. (A sergeant of SEALs called Beirut Pakbara was infected with blood in the rescue. He had been treated, but his condition had deteriorated. The Thai Navy confirmed his death on December 27, 2019.)