#Diving - When Ennis-based cave diver Jim Warny arrived at the Tham Luang cave in northern Thailand earlier this month, he felt “within my comfort zone”.
That’s despite the unprecedented challenge that faced Warny and his fellow subterranean diving experts in mounting the “miracle” rescue of 12 boys and their football coach from the flooded cave system.
Speaking to The Irish Times, the Belgian national explained how it was only after switching from an organised military-style mission to a more decentralised strategy — with divers “operating outside procedures” — that the rescue team were able to navigate the sedated youngsters and their coach through the 4km of cave to safety.
Warny himself was responsible for helping the boys’ coach Ekapol Chantawong back into daylight, negotiating often tight spots in near total darkness with a stretcher and attached oxygen tank.
The Irish Times has much more on the story HERE.