Chapters
Shownotes Transcript
It's July 1st, nine days since the Wild Boar soccer team went missing in the Tam Luang cave, and there's finally a break in the rain. Rick Stanton and John Volenthen are up early, eager to extend the guideline inside the cave. Guidelines provide a roadmap for the dark, frigid waters, a tactile compass in the dark.
The dive isn't easy. The current is still strong, but they manage to lay an additional 750 feet of rope past the T-junction before they turn back. At the post-dive meeting with the American Special Ops and the Thai SEALs, water guru Tanit Natsi tells the group his pumps are operating at full capacity. He estimates the water table inside the cave has gone down about 20 feet.
Major Hodges looks around the room, his eyes settling on Rick and John. Well, gentlemen, looks like the sleeping princess has given us a window. If anyone can get in there, it's you. It's what the British divers have been waiting to hear since they arrived four days ago. It's go time. The next morning, Rick is relieved to see the reins are still holding off. He knows it can't last, but he'll take it.
He looks at his dive partner, John. "What do you say, mate?" John grins. "I'd say it's a good day to dive." The two men make their way through a cluster of blue tents to the command center of the Thai Navy SEALs for a final pre-dive meeting. Inside, a large group has already started to gather. Divers who have flown in from all around the world, eager to help. The American Special Ops stand off to the side.
But today, it's the Thai Navy SEALs everyone looks to. This is their country. These are their sons. Rick settles into a chair on one side of a folding table. John slides in next to him. When the room quiets down, the SEALs commander outlines the plan. Ahem.
Rick looks at John and shrugs. He always figured the seals would take over. They speak the same language as the children, and they need a win.
But both Rick and John know if they get past Pattaya Beach, they will keep pushing to lay every last inch of their guideline, or until their air runs out. When the meeting breaks up, the men sit down with Vern Unsworth. Vern is a fellow Brit who has been exploring and mapping the cave for more than five years. He knows the tight, jagged passages and cavernous chambers better than anyone. Vern hands the two men a map of the cave he drew from memory.
and points to an X. That's Chamber 9. It's about 300 yards past Pattaya. It's elevated and dry. There should be an air pocket there. If the boys are alive, that's where they'll be. Rick and John study the map carefully, committing it to memory. Two and a half miles through cold, dark water. Some passages are so tight a single man can hardly squeeze through.
It will take at least four hours one way. If they start in the early afternoon, they should be back by 10:00 at the latest, assuming nothing goes wrong. Rick and John are quiet as they prepare their gear. They don't know what lies ahead, but they're calm. They know emotion isn't a cave diver's friend. By the afternoon, they're ready to go. As they make their way along the muddy mountain path to the cave, they pass the shrine of the sleeping princess.
Rick glances in. Fresh fruit and offerings have been laid at her feet by the parents and friends of the soccer team. They hope to appease her, so she'll take mercy on their sons. The men climb the steps to the cave entrance. It's now a path they've walked more than a dozen times. Rick turns to his partner. You ready? John gives a quick nod. Then the two men step into the entrance and are swallowed up by the cave.
In our fast-paced, screen-filled world, it can be all too easy to lose that sense of imagination and wonder. If you're looking for new ways to ignite your creativity and open your mind to fresh perspectives, then let Audible be your guide. Whether you listen to stories, motivation, or any genre you love, you can be inspired to imagine new worlds, new possibilities, and new ways of thinking.
There's more to imagine when you listen. Plus, as an Audible member, you'll get one title a month to keep from their entire catalog. If you're into mythology, then I recommend the title Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman. He's an amazing storyteller that narrates this unique version of the Norse myths.
Listen along. New members can try Audible free for 30 days. Visit audible.com slash the odds or text the odds to 500-500. That's audible.com slash the odds or text the odds to 500-500. Against the Odds is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. Most of you aren't just listening right now. You're driving, cleaning, and even exercising. But what if you could be saving money by switching to Progressive?
Drivers who save by switching save nearly $750 on average, and auto customers qualify for an average of seven discounts. Multitask right now. Quote today at Progressive.com. Progressive Casualty Insurance Company & Affiliates. National average 12-month savings of $744 by new customers surveyed who saved with Progressive between June 2022 and May 2023. Potential savings will vary. Discounts not available in all states and situations.
From Wondery, I'm Mike Corey, and this is Against the Odds. In our last episode, Rick Stanton and John Volenthen arrive in Thailand to help rescue 12 boys and their soccer coach who have been missing inside a flooded cave without food or water. They're two of the best cave divers in the world, but they quickly realize they've never encountered anything like this. Strong currents, frigid water, and endless rain. It makes the cave nearly impassable.
Now that the rain has subsided, there's a brief opening and Rick and John are going in. This is episode three, Risk. Abdul Saman sits on a stone ledge in the darkness, listening to the breathing of his teammates and coach. He's no longer sure if it's day or night. In the cave, it's impossible to tell how much time has passed. Most of his teammates are sleeping. They sleep a lot now.
Starvation has weakened everyone's system. Adule stretches his soccer jersey over his thinning legs and leans back against the hard rock wall. The hunger is no longer painful, but dull and constant. He tries to sleep, but it's hard. He keeps hearing roosters and dogs somewhere in the distance. And then he hears something much closer. He looks over a coach who is starting to stir. Are those voices? Someone check.
"I'll go," a duel offers. He feels for the flashlight and flips it on. The light flickers dimly. He shimmies down along the rock towards the water, scanning the shadows. When he gets to the edge, he sees two dark figures emerging out of the depths. They're cloaked in armor of black rubber. Beams of light shoot out of their heads. He yells out in Thai, "Hello?" One of the figures calls back, "Hello?"
How many of you? 13? Brilliant.
Adul's mind moves quickly. How will they get out? And that's when he sees the dive bag. Adul isn't so sure how they'll all fit in that one backpack. Maybe the divers will take them out, one at a time. But the man shakes his head. No, not today. Not today. There's two of us. You have to go in.
Aduel doesn't understand. We are coming. It's okay. Many people are coming. Many, many people. We are the first. Many people come. Below, in the freezing water, John Volenthen adjusts the GoPro on his helmet, trying to figure out what the boy means. What day is it? Have the boys been here 10 days or 11? How will they survive this long? He calls out, 10 days.
He can't believe how calm the children are. No one is panicked or crying, but they're all so very small. Okay, we come.
We hope tomorrow. Maybe soon.
But will it be tomorrow? No one has gotten this far in the cave except the two Brits. He shakes off the thought as he and Rick scramble onto the rock. The boys quickly make room, chattering amongst themselves in tie. John's light starts to dim, throwing them into momentary blindness. My lights are quite shit, Rick.
Then the light comes back on, flickering softly and catching the face of a smiling boy. I am really happy. We are happy too. Thank you so much. Rick and John rummage through their packs and hand the boys flashlights. They may not have food, but at least they can give them something until the seals arrive and can make a plan on how to extract them. And then it's time to go.
As John stands up, he feels the cold, thin arms of one of the boys hugging him around his waist. Then, one by one, each of the boys steps forward for a hug, wishing them well on their journey. As the two men wait out, a thought sweeps across John's mind. He and Rick, two experienced divers, barely made it to this section of the cave. How will the seals and a doctor make it this far without dive experience?
This is a six-hour journey underwater through jagged rocks, narrow passages, and heavy currents. The odds are stacked against them. It's 9:45 p.m. on July 2nd, day 10 of the rescue. Governor Narongsak has been shouldering an incredible burden for the last 10 days. He is in charge of this province, and all eyes are looking to him. He is the hope of not only his people and the parents and the government,
but the world. He's in a meeting when an out-of-breath Navy SEAL knocks on the door. The governor quickly steps out. "Sir, I have news. The British divers, they made it through. They found them." The governor takes in a sharp breath. "Are they alive?" "Yes, sir. All 12 on their coach. They're all alive."
In a matter of minutes, the governor assembles a press conference. His announcement is broadcast all over the world. The BBC breaks into their regular program for the report everyone's been waiting to hear. We're going to bring you some breaking news now that's been coming into us within the last few minutes. It has been reported from Thailand...
that rescue divers there have now located the 12 boys and their football coach who had been trapped in flooded caves and have found them alive.
Across the camp in the Park Ranger Station, the parents of the boys clap and cheer. For the first time in what feels like an endless nightmare, they feel like they can finally breathe. Knight's mother, Superluck, sits on a thin mat in the corner staring at her phone. The Thai Navy SEALs have posted the video taken by the British divers on their Facebook page.
It's dark in the cave, and it's hard to see who is who, but she's pretty sure that's her son, Knight, standing off to the side.
He looks so brave. To think, just 10 days ago, she was making a cake for his 16th birthday. Now here he is. She looks up to see a parent holding on to Coach Nock, who's glued to his phone, nodding happily. Tonight is for celebration. But tomorrow, a new ordeal begins. Now that they've found the boys, how will they get them out?
Across camp, John Volenthin is stretching his sore muscles under the bright blue canvas tents that lodge the Navy SEALs. He and Rick have barely had a chance to dry off, but he knows the SEALs have questions. They all do. John takes a seat at a crowded folding table along with his dive partner, Rick. Across from them are the top brass from the TIE SEALs, including Rear Admiral Applecorn himself.
A rep from the American Special Operations sits on the far end of the table. They're all meeting here to answer one question: how to get the boys out? A sense of frustration looms in the air. Part of that frustration is political. John knows that the Navy SEALs wanted to be the first divers to locate the boys. But John's not interested in the politics of it all. He wants to talk about the next step, and he knows what he's about to say won't go over well.
The portion of the cave between chamber three and chamber nine was harrowing, even for us. The water is cold and you can't see a thing. It's easy to get lost. Diving the boys out is not an option. The admiral asks John what he's suggesting. John looks at Rick, who chimes in. We're sorry, but we don't have an answer. We can't dive them out. There's just too much risk. There needs to be a plan or people will die.
Ben Ramanens speaks up. Ben is the Belgian diver who laid the first guideline past the T-junction. He came into the meeting late, but he's heard enough. What are you saying? We can't just leave them there. Is that what you're saying? Because that's not an option. We have to go in and we have to get them now. John stares back at Ben. He isn't interested in emotional reactions. When he
When we pulled those workers out of the cave yesterday, it was a disaster. This is ten times that. The boys will have to stay put until we have a plan. Look, when we saw them, they seemed okay. Ben stands up. Oh, so you're a doctor now. You know what's best for them. Remnants, stop running your mouth. You have no idea what you're talking about. Tensions are so high, Ben's dive buddy has to take him outside to cool off.
When John calms down, he'll realize Ben just wanted to help, and he did a lot by laying that guideline. But it doesn't change the facts. Going back into that cave without a plan makes no sense. But as it turns out, not everyone around that table agrees with him. It's early morning, July 3rd, less than 12 hours after John and Rick made contact with the Wild Boar soccer team. Four Thai Navy SEALs wade into the water inside Chamber 3 of the Tam Luang.
They are on a mission. A mission no one knows about except their commanders. They plan to follow the guidelines laid by the British divers that lead to the boys. The SEALs haven't told any of the international teams about this mission because they know they tell them not to go. That is too dangerous. But those boys are sons of Thailand and these SEALs are done waiting. If all goes well, they should be back in eight hours.
It's worse than they imagined it would be. They knew the current would be strong, but it's like a giant hydrant determined to push them back. They hold onto the rope, but it's loose and sends them crashing into the walls. One diver loses his mouthpiece in the force of the current. He gets a hold of it again and quickly wraps it around his head, breathing in life-giving air.
The jagged, select, tight teeth below scrape their hands, but they hold on, one hand over the next, pulling themselves forward, foot by painful foot. Six hours later, the four men surface from the water into chamber nine, shaken and weak. Two of them have used up more than two-thirds of their tank. With those air levels, there will be no return trip.
But they made it. They squint up at the rock outcropping above them, where a group of shivering boys are shining flashlights in their faces. When the boys see the seals' insignia, they break into smiles. The seals can't help but smile back. The boys do their best to help the men up, and they start talking. "How have you survived here so long? We're strong like you!" The seals rummage through their bags and pull out energy gel packs and watch as the color returns to the boys' ashen faces.
The risk to reach them was worth it, but it's not over yet. A few hours behind them, a second mission is underway. Another group of SEALs bringing in medical supplies and blankets. With them is a doctor. The only problem is the doctor has never cave dived in his life. And he's about to attempt one of the most harrowing dives in the world.
When you're hiring, time is of the essence. That's why more than 3.5 million businesses worldwide use Indeed to find exceptional talent fast. Indeed's powerful matching engine works quickly. So quickly that, according to Indeed data worldwide, every minute 23 hires are made on Indeed.
But it doesn't stop there, because Indeed also helps you hire better. 93% of employers agree Indeed delivers the highest quality matches compared to other job sites, according to a recent Indeed survey. That's because their matching engine is always learning from your preference. So the more you use Indeed, the better it gets.
So let Indeed be your go-to for making great hires quickly and easily. And listeners of the show, get a $75 sponsored job credit to get your jobs more visibility at Indeed.com slash the odds. Just go to Indeed.com slash the odds right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Indeed.com slash the odds. Terms and conditions apply. Need to hire? You need Indeed.
These days, it feels like we're all just on the hunt for ways to optimize our health and feel our absolute best. The only problem is, with all these supplements out there, it can be really tough to know which ones are actually worth your time and money. That's where today's sponsor Symbiotica comes in. Symbiotica is a premium supplement brand that's raising the bar when it comes to purity, potency, and efficacy. Their supplements are formulated with high-quality ingredients. That's why their formulas don't have any seed oils, preservatives,
toxins, artificial additives, or natural flavors. Plus, while most supplements can taste chalky or sulfuric, Symbiotica's supplements have amazing flavors like citrus lime, vanilla chai, or wild berry. I've been loving the magnesium supplement from Symbiotica. Being low in magnesium, I've made it a priority lately to take it consistently. I love how I can take it on the go and ensure I'm never missing a dose. Feel more energized, alert, and balanced with high-quality supplements that work.
Head over to Symbiotica.com and use code ODDS for 20% off and free shipping on your subscription order. Lieutenant Commander Dr. Bakhlo Harjun looks like he stepped out of a toothpaste commercial. He has a pert nose, a giant smile, and ramrod straight posture earned from his years in the military.
Usually, he's quick to see the humor in any situation. But as he squeezes through an underwater passage between Chamber 3 and Chamber 4 of the Tam Luang, he's not laughing. He's scared. Bach is the head of the 3rd Medical Battalion and an experienced scuba diver. But this is his first cave dive. The SEALs said it would be rough, but he feels like he's in a riptide. To make matters worse, he can't see a thing, even with his headlamp.
Just when he thinks he's moving forward into the next chamber, he finds himself stuck in a tight dead-end passage and has to awkwardly back out, feet first. Finally, he gets a rhythm going, hand over hand, pole over pole.
But then something gets snagged. His gear or his suit on a wire or cable, maybe a rock. His mouth pieces off and he's pinwheeling through water. It feels like an avalanche of force. He tries to breathe, but instead he finds he's gulping in water. His throat starts to seize up. The sweet face of his son comes into view. He whispers, "Is this how it ends?"
And then his hand finds his regulator, floating in the murk, as if laid out by the sleeping princess herself. He grabs hold and he breathes deeply. He's okay. When Dr. Bach and the other two seals finally make it to chamber 9, he's eager to take off his mask and breathe fresh air. But when he does, he's hit with the smell. The air is thin and smells overpoweringly of human waste.
As he trains his headlamp around the chamber, he sees a group of people huddled on a raised rock embankment. The four Navy SEALs from the first mission and all 12 boys and their coach. He's surprised to see them all looking so happy. Mentally, they don't seem traumatized at all, but their faces are skeletal. Hello, boys. My name is Dr. Bach. I'm here to help you.
One of the boys looks up at him with wide eyes. "Do you have food?" "No, not yet, but food is coming. Meanwhile, let's get you warm." The SEALs hand out metallic space blankets and one of them flips on a GoPro and films Dr. Bock taking the boys' vitals, one by one. Bock examines the oldest boy. Knight looks up at him. "Doctor, sometimes we hear noises."
Noises? What kind of noises? Roosters. And dogs. Sometimes kids, you know. Noises. Bok isn't sure what night means. Maybe he's just tired. But the other seals perk up. If sounds from outside the cave are getting into the chamber somehow, maybe there's another way out. The next day, on the morning of July 3rd, three of the navy seals dive out.
Dr. Bach and three other SEALs stay behind with the boys. The swim back is more harrowing than the first. When they come out the other side and report back to the Thai command, it's clear to everyone there is no way they can dive out 12 children. The British were right. And now there's another problem. The oxygen in the cave is getting low.
They're not sure how low, but the air is thin. And with the decision to send in the seals, it means there are now four more people taking a bear. But the seals also bring a sliver of hope. There may be an alternate way in. The boys heard noises, roosters, and children. Maybe there's an opening above ground, another way into the cave.
Rear Admiral Apocorn mulls it over. He knows an alternate entrance is a long shot, but he needs to do something, and fast. The Thai government has made it clear any operation undertaken must be zero risk. The boys must come out alive.
Finding an above-ground entrance is just one of the many ideas the Thai command considers. The first is a plan to construct a tube that's miles long and as wide as a manhole for the boys to crawl out of. But they soon realized the jagged rocks and violent current would make a tube like this completely impossible.
When that idea is ruled out, the TIE effort shifts its focus, keeping the boys alive inside of the cave until monsoon season ends. And then the boys can walk out, but oxygen levels are running low, so they'll need to get some more air into them. The military quickly works up a plan for an oxygen hose that will run from outside of the cave all the way into Chamber 9.
Soon, the busy rescue site becomes even more hectic as trucks roll in with spools of hose. The hose is heavy and it takes dozens of workers just to unroll it and drag it into the entrance. The farther they go, the harder it gets. But they keep going. What other options do they have? Rick Stanton is frustrated. He can't believe the SEALs didn't consult anyone before they sent their teams into the cave. At least there's a doctor down there now. But why didn't they bring any food?
But he and John have an ally, Master Sergeant Derek Anderson from the American Special Ops. Anderson is one of the most critical thinkers in the camp, and he can get things done. The perfect skill set for a situation like this.
When Rick and John tell Anderson what the boys need most now is food, Anderson suggests MREs. MREs, or Meals Ready to Eat, are military rations. Each one has about 1,250 calories. We have more than 100 of them, Anderson tells the men. If everyone eats one meal a day, the food will last about a week. It'll buy us some time to figure out next steps. But each meal weighs half a pound. How will they get them all in?
Rick pulls out a tube, three feet long. "We can put them in these. The tube is neutrally buoyant, which means in water, it won't sink or rise. That way divers can pull the cargo directly behind them." Anderson grins. "Looks like we have a plan." Anderson's team helps Rick and John pack up the food and prepare for another long trip to Chamber 9. Before they leave, Sergeant Anderson hands Rick a handheld device. "When you get in there, let's get an oxygen reading on the chamber.
If it's as bad as we think, we'll need proof to show it to the Thai command. Underwater, the going is slow. The current is always a problem. But it's made worse with more than 25 pounds of gear strapped around their waist. Their bags keep getting stuck on the stalactites that poke out like shark's teeth. Both men are strong athletes. But it feels like the cave is getting the best of them. But finally, they break through.
It's good to see the boys again, though most of them hang back in the darkness of the chamber, squinting out at the new arrivals. Rick and John pull their cargo up to the muddy beachhead and greet Dr. Bach, the only adult who speaks English. We brought food. Dr. Bach smiles. I know at least 13 people will be glad to hear that. Rick and John open up the bags and tubes for the boys to see. Then they hand out the American military meals to the ravenous children, one by one.
All right, boys, this one is chicken fajita. This one is beef ravioli. And this one, it's maple oatmeal. The boys' eyes widen. It's their first substantial meal in 12 days. Rick throws a smile at John. It was a tough go, but it was worth it.
Rick's flashlight scans over something written in mud on the floor behind the boys. It's a square checkerboard game. Small rocks are the stand-ins for the checker pieces. Rick looks at one of the seals. He shrugs. It's to keep their mind off things. "Hm. Smart." Rick reaches into his bag and takes out the oxygen meter that Sergeant Anderson gave him. He holds it up in the different areas in the cave. John looks over Rick's shoulder. "How's it looking?" "The oxygen's low."
15%. Anything below 19% is considered hazardous. The men know that it's not a matter of if the air will run out in Chamber 9. It's a matter of when. It's late evening on July 4th, Day 12 of the rescue. The camp is starting to quiet down. The press has gone home, and the workers are packing up for the day. But in the Americans' tent, the Shadow Operation Group has gathered to hear Rick and John's report.
The regular group is present. Rick and John and the American Special Ops team, including Sergeant Derek Anderson. A few new divers from the UK and Australia have joined the group too. The mood is subdued and quiet. Major Hodges breaks the silence. How are the conditions down there in the cave?
John Volenthen speaks up. "Oxygen is low, and the kids will need more food soon." Sergeant Anderson tells the divers they can quickly rustle up more MREs. Rick shakes his head. "That's not the problem. The problem is carrying that extra weight through what's already a grueling dive. We need experienced divers, people trained in this kind of thing. We don't have that time before the rains arrive." Hodges knows Rick is right, but there must be other options.
Rick, the SEALs said the kids heard roosters and dogs somewhere. What do you think of the alternate entrance theory? Not possible. There are no towns close enough for the boys to hear life, and they're sitting at least a third of a mile down. I am 100% certain the main cave entrance is the only way in. And what about the oxygen pipe the SEALs are working on? Is that an option? But again, Rick shakes his head. No. No.
There are jagged rocks and edges everywhere, and the gap between chambers three and four is the size of a manhole cover. How are inexperienced divers going to screw together lengths of hose and push that through before the rain comes? It's like trying to shove an oversized pillow into a case that's too small. No matter what way you look at it, it creates risks. So no alternate entrance, no oxygen hose. What's left? Hodges puts it out to the room.
The TIE command insists on a zero-risk option. Are there any at all? The tent falls silent. Finally, Rick says quietly, "Unfortunately, there are no zero-risk options here." Another silence. Then Hodges speaks up again. "Then we have to look at the option of diving them out again. Let's talk about odds. What do you think, Rick?"
In this situation, we're looking at an 80% fatality rate. That means 10 of them won't make it out. The divers look at the floor, faces grim. Hodges gives the group a minute for the thought to sink in, and then turns to a whiteboard. "Okay, gentlemen, how do we better our odds?" Over the next several hours, the divers talk through various scenarios. How many divers would they need? How would they do it? And how long would it take?
One of the biggest challenges of a mission like this is even if they can find experienced cave divers, none of them will know the route. This isn't your ordinary cave dive. This is a one and a half mile trek through sharp outcroppings and tight passages that hardly fit a man unless he turns sideways. Add a child to that, one who will most likely flail in panic, it's a suicide mission.
Rick tells the group, "When we pulled out those stranded pump workers, it was a disaster. No matter which way they turned the puzzle around, they keep coming back to the same number: 80% fatality rate. And still, no one wants to give up." There's an endless silence in the tent as each of them thinks through any options that might have been missed. Finally, Rick speaks up again. "What if we sedate them? Knock them out?" John is thinking the same thing.
With the boys' weakened health, it's the only option or we risk the divers' lives too. They'll need an anesthesiologist, someone who can dive, and a medical assistant. Hodges tells the group to call in whoever is necessary. He'll work on getting permission from the Thai command. Still, there are no guarantees. In the history of the world, no one has ever attempted a rescue like this. But many of the divers have children of their own. They want to try.
The plan might not be perfect, but it's the best plan they've got.
It's midnight, July 5th, 13 days since 12 boys and their soccer coach went missing in the Tam Luang cave. Inside the sump between chambers 2 and 3, the Thai Navy SEALs are hard at work assembling an oxygen hose to pump in fresh air to the boys. One end of the hose will open into chamber 9 and the other will be attached to oxygen tanks. The plan is more likely to work if they can get the oxygen tanks closer to the boys. Then it won't have to travel as far.
A pair of seals works as a team. One seal brings tanks to the water's edge in chamber two, while the other dives back and forth, shuttling them to chamber three. It's tiring work, but both seals know the clock is ticking down on the oxygen in chamber nine. The one traveling between the two chambers tonight is Petty Officer First Class Samon Gunan. Gunan is a triathlete in his spare time and is in excellent shape.
He's a loving father and husband who's recently retired from the Navy SEALs. He's the kind of guy the boys in the cave would aspire to grow up to be. Normally, he works security at a Thai airport. But when he got the call that the SEALs needed more divers, he was quick to volunteer. As his buddy stands in chamber two, waiting for Gunan to emerge, he starts to get a bad feeling. His friend has been down there for too long.
Finally, the SEAL makes a decision. He dives in after him and finds Gunan's body limp in the water. He grabs him and pulls him out with all of his strength. When he gets him up onto the muddy rock beach of Chamber 2, other SEALs rush over and start performing CPR. But it's too late. The Tam Luang cave has claimed its first victim.
In the late morning of day 13, Jason Mallinson pulls his body through the murky waters of the Tam Luang towards the boys in chamber 9. It's been a few short hours since Sam Ongunnen was taken out of the cave, but the boys are still trapped underground, and Jason's been tasked with bringing in a few more MREs and checking oxygen levels. Jason is a member of the British Cave Rescue Council and is probably the best cave diver in the world next to Rick and John.
He's been on site for almost four days and now he's been pulled into action. They need to get the boys out before the rains arrive in full force and there are no zero risk options. So Jason is tasked with bringing a difficult question to the kids. Do they want to wait out the rains for the next three or four months or take a chance and allow the expert divers to take them out?
A couple of yards behind him is Chris Jewell, a 35-year-old IT specialist who's thought of as a wonderkin in cave diving circles. Jason's glad that a familiar face has his back. This is Jason's first dive in the Tam Luang, and he soon realizes Rick wasn't kidding about the difficulty of the dive. The cave's razor-starp stalactites and rip-roaring currents make this one of the most exhausting dives he's ever done.
He's relieved when he makes it to chamber 9 and swims towards the cement outcropping. He sees some of the boys wrapped in mylar blankets. Only a couple get up and walk over. They look thin and their breathing is labored. But they're alive and surprisingly calm.
Jason and Chris are met by Dr. Bock, who hasn't left the boys' side. "How are the boys?" "They're okay," considering. "Good. I need you to translate something for me." He tells Dr. Bock there are two options for the children to consider. One is to stay in the cave for three or four months until the rain stops. The second is to have expert divers rescue them and take them through the dangerous underwater passages.
It's a hard decision, even for an adult. He tells them they can think about it overnight. He's delivered the message and done the job. But looking into their frightened eyes, he has to find a way to comfort these boys. He takes out a small waterproof journal given to him by one of the SEALs. Ask the boys if they'd like to write messages to their parents. Their eyes light up with excitement. One by one, they pass the notebook along, putting down their thoughts for the people they love.
When they're done, Mallinson hands the book to assistant coach Ake for his turn. Ake takes a bit more time than the boys did and writes with a somber look on his face. When Ake is done, Jason takes back the notebook and carefully tucks it into his bag and says his goodbyes. His diving buddy, Jewel, follows behind. They both realize this may be the last communication between the children and their parents.
Jason feels the weight of the responsibility as he struggles through the murk back into the light of the outside world. When Jason emerges, the Thai Navy SEALs are waiting. He hands off the boys' letters and they bring them to the ranger station where their parents wait for news. Within hours, the notes are released to the news outlets around the world. A montage of children's voices trying to reassure their loved ones that they are okay.
From 11-year-old Titan, the youngest on the team. Mom, Dad, don't worry. I'm okay. Please tell Yod to prepare to take me to eat fried chicken. Love you. From 14-year-old Adul, the only English speaker. I miss everyone. I really need to go back home. And from Dom, whose mother runs an amulet shop. I'm fine, but the weather is quite cold. But don't worry. The final note is from Coach Ake to the parents. It says...
It's a heart-wrenching letter, laced with guilt. But the parents don't blame Coach Ake at all. Everyone knows the rains weren't supposed to arrive for at least another month. It's the spirits who decide.
Inside the park ranger station, Superluck sits in a corner by herself, quietly reading and rereading the letter from her son, Knight. Knight loves dad and mom. Don't worry about Knight. Knight loves everybody. The letters bring the parents hope, but also serve as a reminder that there is no word on when or how the rescuers will get their children out of the cave.
It's day 15 of the rescue and the rains are back. Mud rivers flow into the valley below. On the ground, the death of petty officer Saman Gunan has sent shockwaves and sadness through the camp and through Thailand. He will forever be a hero to the Thai people. He gave his life to help save 12 children and their coach. His death is a solemn reminder of just how deadly this situation is.
For the locals and parents, it's hard not to wonder if the spirits are angry. Will it be one of their boys next? For many, it's a time to turn to faith. Two white Toyota minivans move through the crowd, and the sea of onlookers make way. Everyone can tell that something is about to happen. As the vans make their way towards the mouth of the cave, a crowd follows behind. When the car stops, the doors open.
and a group of monks step out. They wear bright saffron robes. The last to emerge is Krubha Sangla, one of the most revered monk elders in all of Thailand. Slowly, the procession makes its way to the mouth of the Tam Luang, where the elder monk is helped up the stairs. At the entrance, he begins to solemnly negotiate with the spirit of the cave.
He offers the spirits a wild boar, a white rabbit, and 13 chickens, hoping to exchange them for the boys and their coach. Then the animals are tied up to a bench in the nearby jungle. Everyone prays that the spirits will take these sacrifices and spare the boys. But only time will tell.
This is episode three of our four-part series, The Thai Cave Rescue. If you like our show, please give us a five-star rating and a review.
A quick note about our reenactments. In most cases, we can't know exactly what was said, but all our dramatizations are based on historical research. If you'd like to learn more about the Thai Cave Rescue, we recommend reading The Boys in the Cave by Matt Gutman. I'm your host, Mike Corey. Tamiya Payne wrote this story. Davey Gardner is our producer. Our associate producer is Brian White. Our audio engineer is Sergio Enriquez. Sound design by Joe Richardson. Music by
by Aaron May. Our executive producers are Stephanie Jens, Marshall Louis, and Hernan Lopez for Wondery. Hey, it's Guy Raz here, host of How I Built This, a podcast that gives you a front row seat to how some of the best known companies in the world were built.
In a new weekly series we've launched called Advice Line, I'm joined by some legendary founders and together we talk to entrepreneurs in every industry to help tackle their roadblocks in real time. Everybody buys on feeling, Guy, like everybody. So if you don't give them the feeling that they're looking for, they're not going to buy. A lot of times founders will go outside of themselves to build a story. And
And you can't replicate heart. You know, I think we all have a little bit of imposter syndrome, which isn't the worst thing in the world because it doesn't allow you to get overconfident and think that you're invincible. Check out the advice line by following How I Built This on the Wondery app or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to How I Built This early and ad-free right now on Wondery Plus.
