Local experts weigh in on efforts to rescue Thai soccer team & coach

It's become a race against the clock to rescue the soccer team and coach trapped inside a cave in Thailand.

On Friday morning, rescuers saw firsthand how dangerous the caves can be after a former Thai Navy Seal died.

Sergeant Saman Gunan died on Thursday night after he ran out of air while on his way back to the underground center from the boys' location to deliver supplies.

Gunan's death underscored the risks of making the underwater journey.

The diver, the first fatality of the rescue effort, was working in a volunteer capacity and died on a mission to place oxygen canisters along the route to where the boys and others are sheltered, Thai SEAL commander Rear Adm. Arpakorn Yookongkaew said.

The strategically placed canisters allow divers to stay underwater longer during the five-hour trip to reach the stranded team.

The small, cramped tunnels and murky waters set the stage for an incredibly treacherous rescue. Crews spent the morning working along guide ropes and moving hazardous rocks. The path out is considered especially complicated because of twists and turns in some narrow flooded passages.

Rescuers are now searching for sink holes that could lead them down to the trapped boys. Pumps are also being used in an effort to drain the cave.

Thai officials had been suggesting in public statements that a quick underwater evacuation of the boys and their soccer coach was needed because of the possibility that access to the cave could soon close again due to seasonal monsoon rains expected this weekend.

The boys, 11 to 16, and their 25-year-old coach went exploring in the cave after a soccer game June 23. Monsoon flooding cut off their escape and prevented rescuers from finding them for almost 10 days. The only way to reach them was by navigating dark and tight passageways filled with muddy water and strong currents.

Boston 25 News spoke with a local cave expert who says it's a miracle the boys have made it this long.

Nick Fazah began diving at the age of 13, and now, as a seasoned diver, he knows what's at stake for the young boys.

"This particular cave where these kids are stuck in -- the visibility is really, really low," said Fazah. "So that provides a real challenge for even the most experienced cave diver."

While rescuers in Thailand consider putting oxygen masks on the boys and accompanying them on the long, dangerous swim through the tight tunnels, Fazah believes the risks are serious.

"The main issue that you'd probably be combating is the fact that these kids could have a panic attack," said Fazah.

Fazah, who co-owns East Coast Diving in Brookline along with Alex Dulavitz, teaches people how to dive in caves, but says it's unknown what the teens will be facing.

"There are way more challenges," said Dulavitz. "There are places where they have to climb, actually rock climb.  So you'll be scuba diving for a little bit and then the next thing you know, you've gotta throw on a climbing harness and be able to climb after that.  And these guys are not at their peak physical condition."

A diver who spent time with the boys said earlier the youngsters wanted to know the results of the matches. Players from teams including England and Sweden have recorded good luck video messages for the trapped boys, and FIFA has invited the 13 to the World Cup final should they be rescued in time and are healthy enough to travel.

Elon Musk, the entrepreneur behind the Tesla automobile and the SpaceX rocket company, has said he would send engineers to help. One of his enterprises is Boring Co., which digs tunnels for advanced transport systems and has advanced ground-penetrating radar.

Musk also brainstormed on Twitter about possible technology for a safe evacuation, suggesting that an air tunnel constructed with soft tubing like a Bouncy Castle could provide flexible passage out.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Cox Media Group