Thailand Cave Rescue The Australian Divers Posted on October 30, 2018 in Team Building

Meet the Australian Cave Rescue Divers

Long-time dive buddies Dr Richard Harris and Craig Challen flew to Thailand to become part of an extraordinary rescue that had the world on the edge of its seat in July 2018. A soccer team of 12 boys, aged 11-16, and their 25-year-old coach had been trapped in the cave for 10 days before they were discovered.

Dr Richard Harris and Craig Challen provided medical care to the soccer team inside the cave, and throughout the entire rescue. Working 14-16 hour days they made the trip to the cave daily as part of the three-day international rescue effort to successfully evacuate the boys and their assistant coach.

While Dr Harris’ medical expertise as an anaesthetist was invaluable for monitoring the boys and determining their fitness to make the trip, Mr Challen was there for his technical expertise as a cave diver who has set depth records for diving.

“By the time we arrived on site, the local divers ... had already been doing the most extraordinary dives through the cave and laying the very robust rope which made all subsequent dives to the soccer team not only possible, but safe,” Richard Harris

As hard as it gets

Conditions for the rescue operation were “as hard as it gets”. Both Richard and Craig have dived all over the world together.  Their determination and dedication was impeccable, they only left the site when the last of the boys had been evacuated each day, and they bravely assisted in escorting the last of the boys out of the cave themselves.

Dr Richard Harris’ role in the successful operation at Tham Luang Cave had seen him widely praised as a hero. However, Craig Challen’s involvement escaped the public spotlight, and came to surface after the rescue was completed. 

Former Navy Seal diver Saman Gunan lost his life while installing oxygen tanks in the flooded cave complex, a hero for all concerned. This rescue operation was extremely dangerous requiring courage, discipline and team work to continue on with the operation.

Training a key aspect for rescue divers

The training that rescue divers undergo is extensive and includes a stress test where divers lose their face mask and air supply.  It's one of many that no doubt prepared them for the rescue mission. Their experience and mental strength ensured the rescue operation in Thailand was a success. 

The global cave diving community is small enough that Craig Challen and Dr Richard Harris had previously met on other rescue dives.  They do this work because they have a passion for it, they absolutely love it.

“That is one of the most extraordinary acts of heroism, professionalism, discipline, and teamwork.  It was an example to all of us, a team brought from all over the world showing what people of goodwill and discipline and courage can do when they work together as a team.” Malcom Turnbull

 
Dr Richard Harris and Craig Challen. Source: news.com.au

ABOUT DR RICHARD HARRIS | web profile

Profile at a Glance 

• Australian hero who led the daring rescue of 12 boys trapped in Thailand's Tham Luang cave, braving treacherous conditions to bring them all to safety.
• Has a professional and voluntary interest in search and rescue operations, establishing the first sump rescue training course in Australasia.
• One of Australia's leading technical divers, he is a member of the Wet Mules, a diving group that takes on some of the world's deepest caves.
• Works professionally in anesthesia and aeromedical retrieval medicine.

ABOUT CRAIG CHALLEN | web profile

Profile at a Glance

• Australian hero who played a pivotal role in the daring rescue of 12 boys trapped in a Thailand cave.
• He braved treacherous conditions to extract the boys from the flooded Tham Luang cave system.
• One of Australia's leading technical divers, he is a member of the Wet Mules, a diving group that takes on some of the world's deepest caves.
• He has explored caves throughout Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Indonesia, China, Thailand, Vanuatu and the Cook Islands.
• A veterinary surgeon by profession, now retired, he is also a helicopter and airplane pilot.

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