Against all odds

In June 2018 in Thailand, twelve junior soccer players and their coach decided to explore a cave after their match. While they were exploring, the cave system flooded and they were trapped. Craig Challen and Richard Harris were two Australian cave divers involved in the international effort to rescue these young football players.

As well as being experienced cave divers Craig Challen and Richard (Harry) Harris were asked to be involved in this operation because of their medical experience - Harry was an anaethesist while Craig was a retired vet. Two British divers had located the boys in the cave system but the problem was how to get them safely out before the flood waters rose further. A possible solution was to sedate each boy who would then be guided out through the cave system in the care of an experienced cave diver. Craig and Harry travelled to Thailand to assist in this project.

Each chapter is written by either Craig or Harry as they recount their experiences and especially their thoughts and fears experienced during the dangerous operation. Throughout the book it is stressed that these two men were just part of an experienced team from many countries of the world working together on this rescue mission. For those of us who watched the regular reports of the mission on television this book provides an account of the story from the point of view of those involved, rather than the media.