Ivan, come out here and I will take you to see the caves which are just to the north of us. I shared your emotional journey, especially when each evening a helicopter flew over our house to the local hospital and knowing that there were carrying two of rescued boys each trip
Rip to dom the team captain who died in England in 2023 from a head injury and the 2 Thai navy seals Suman gun an and the second navy seal who died from a blood infection contracted in the cave
So i wonder, why do these people almost never talk about Ben Reymenants and his diving buddy who basically laid like 80-90% of the line?.. Stanton and Volanthen didnt lay that much line to my knowlegde.
With respect, I wish to correct your misinformation, you state "to my knowledge" but 1) Were you actually there? 2) If not, then what is your source? This reply aims to address your wonderment & convert it to hard facts. All the line laying activity from the dive base located in Chamber 3, towards the boys, was accomplished from the early hours of Sunday 1st June until John & I located the boys on the Monday evening (2nd June); thus a period of 44 hours. The boys had been missing for nine days when they were found. This path finding operation was conducted by the Thai Navy SEALs , Ben & Maksym, then John & I. Each of whom were operating as a line laying team, progressing forward from the previous team's furthest point of penetration. There were six line laying dives that advanced the main line towards the boys. In sequence these were conducted in this order, SEALs, Ben, SEALs , us (U.K), Ben, us. The total distance between Ch 3 & the boys was 1507m, there was of course one continuous guide line through this passage. John & I laid 935 metres, Ben laid 253 metres, & the Thai SEALs were responsible for 319 metres. This has all been measured after the cave had drained. So yes, Ben & Maksym played an integral part during this stage of operation, but it certainly cannot be implied that Ben was responsible for the greater overall majority; as you have inaccurately stated. To be precise Ben basically laid 17% of the total. I'm not sure why you feel the need to spread your false information?
A small correction: After the British team (Rick Stanton, John Volanthen, Vern Unsworth and Robert Harper) gave up on the rescue and the children, it was the Thai Navy Seals, with the help of Ben Reymenants and his partner Maksym Polejaka, who persevered and successfully laid the safety guideline through the most complex part of the cave. Only then did the British team return to help with the line laying. However, the Brits could not find the crucial passage (south exit) at the T-Junction which led to the children. It was Ben and Max who found and laid the line through that passage. Ben and Max did not lay the majority of the line, but they tackled the most complex and crucial parts of the cave. It was also Ben who rallied the British divers back into the rescue after they had given up, yet the Brits later repaid him by banning him from further participation. As to why they never talked about Ben and Max, it's probably because the narrative predominantly comes from the British, and none of them gave Ben and Max any credit until three years after the rescue. By then, most of the history had been written. In all media interviews, Rick, John, or Vern never gave Ben and Max any credit. The Brits also had exclusive deals with National Geographic, and the same producer also produced the Ron Howard movie about the rescue.
@@ThaiCaveRescue The record is fairly clear as to why Ben was moved out of an active role in the rescue. Rick, John, & Vern had very little control as to how the media treated their involvement, which is unfortunately quite common. The media tend to want to paint as simple a picture as possible for "high volume stories" as they can then jam many of those simple pictures into a particular time period as possible with the most precision and least additional effort. This is why the Australians were also initially cut out of the BBC coverage post-rescue. Another part of the questionable media treatment can be seen in how the US Military Rescue team (which was only invited there to specifically support the Thai Navy) has been feted, much to their annoyance, with a mantle of authority they plain and simple reject...favoring instead that people such as Ben & Maksym get some credit. Every time I have heard it brought up to Rick he's very clear that Ben & Maksym worked to the very edge of their abilities to help rescue the boys (and to great effect; more divers could have been lost on the way out without those thick static lines)...and unfortunately that was also part of why they were moved back away from the most dangerous remaining efforts. It has also been noted many times that they were offered a continuing supporting role, but they refused to engage in a specific, fact-based, culturally sensitive, and measured approach at a very sensitive time and that a similarly rash action to the ones Ben had insisted upon, namely attempting to teach the football team members to swim out themselves, (but not as rash as what Vern advocated in public; which doesn't mean much if you didn't already know what the suggested alternatives were) got six Thai Navy Seals stuck in the cave for several days, breaking the first rule of conducting a rescue: Don't become an additional individual in need of rescue. (Remember, John & Rick had already rescued several other rescuers.) Finally, that Ben was called out several times in completely independent reports as not only publicly bucking the chain of command of the Thai Government, but also that of the experts brought in to deal with the mess (remember, he had very little experience in the specifically awful environment they found themselves working in) speaks wonders. As somebody trained in Wilderness Rescue myself I fully understand why Ben & Maksym were moved away from the center of activity, and I also understand how difficult such a situation can be. Here in the States the Incident Command System was created specifically because strong willed people like him are most useful as a constructive part of a team implementing well-tested "Resource Management" techniques to harness everyone's knowledge & powers of observation **inside of a properly contained well-structured team.** Failing to use such a structured system has had dreadful consequences time and time again, something nobody wants. The world is better with them still in it.
@@DrewNorthup (This is Raimund Huber)Thanks for your reply, but you're criticizing the news for painting a simple picture while relying on the news for your facts. You mention the Command System, but the very reason Ben was invited by the Navy SEALs was that the British divers, upon their arrival, disregarded the chain of command, nearly causing Robert Harper's death. You're saying Rick, John, and Vern had little control over how the media portrayed their involvement, but they had full control over their books and the Nat Geo documentary, no? It’s clear that your claims rely heavily on general news sources and Rick’s and John’s books. For instance, you state that Ben insisted on teaching the football team to swim out themselves. However, this was a fabrication by John Volanthen. In reality, it was the Brits' idea. This is from the night the kids were found: “Mr. Unsworth, a caver from Britain who lives nearby and has been exploring Tham Luang Cave for more than six years, said it would be far better for the boys to be taken out immediately by experienced cave divers than to be forced to wait for months. “It is just the logistical thing of how to get them out, because they have never dived before,” he said. “They will have to learn very quickly, like in the next few hours. If not today, it could be tomorrow.” He said the boys could use full face masks so they would not have to learn how to breathe through a demand valve, which most divers use. Thai Navy SEAL divers and other experienced cave divers participating in the rescue should be able to take them safely through the cave system’s flooded passageways, he said.” - NYT/Vernon Unsworth Before I proceed, could you confirm if, like me, you’ve had any personal conversations with the USAF, Thai Navy SEALs, Ben Reymenants, or Rick Stanton?
@@DrewNorthup one more thing - Ben Reymenants and his team were not the only victims of Rick Stanton, John Volanthen, and Vernon Unsworth. They also insulted, downplayed, or made false accusations and insinuations against the Governor, the Admiral, the Thai Navy SEALs, the Euro Divers, and SpaceX-all of whom were vital to the rescue’s success but not aligned with the British team. It’s also very telling that Rick, John, and Vern were eager to highlight everyone else’s mistakes-whether accurate or not-yet avoided admitting their own, despite there being plenty.
I’m so glad you posted this! The Thai Rescue must never be forgotten!
5 years ago, today, you finished the rescue mission and did a great job! Thank God it all worked out so well.
so glad a modern day hero and explorer could be presented. He must seem like an alien to some present.
It's a miracle that the kids are alive. Jesus Christ. It's absolute nuts!
The video ends before the rescue though 😂 Is there somewhere to watch the rest of the interview?
Hey Chris, could you put these interview videos on your channel? They are super descriptive!
Ivan, come out here and I will take you to see the caves which are just to the north of us. I shared your emotional journey, especially when each evening a helicopter flew over our house to the local hospital and knowing that there were carrying two of rescued boys each trip
Rip to dom the team captain who died in England in 2023 from a head injury and the 2 Thai navy seals Suman gun an and the second navy seal who died from a blood infection contracted in the cave
One of my heroes, Chris .
¡Gracias!
So i wonder, why do these people almost never talk about Ben Reymenants and his diving buddy who basically laid like 80-90% of the line?.. Stanton and Volanthen didnt lay that much line to my knowlegde.
With respect, I wish to correct your misinformation, you state "to my knowledge" but 1) Were you actually there? 2) If not, then what is your source? This reply aims to address your wonderment & convert it to hard facts.
All the line laying activity from the dive base located in Chamber 3, towards the boys, was accomplished from the early hours of Sunday 1st June until John & I located the boys on the Monday evening (2nd June); thus a period of 44 hours. The boys had been missing for nine days when they were found.
This path finding operation was conducted by the Thai Navy SEALs , Ben & Maksym, then John & I. Each of whom were operating as a line laying team, progressing forward from the previous team's furthest point of penetration. There were six line laying dives that advanced the main line towards the boys. In sequence these were conducted in this order, SEALs, Ben, SEALs , us (U.K), Ben, us.
The total distance between Ch 3 & the boys was 1507m, there was of course one continuous guide line through this passage. John & I laid 935 metres, Ben laid 253 metres, & the Thai SEALs were responsible for 319 metres. This has all been measured after the cave had drained.
So yes, Ben & Maksym played an integral part during this stage of operation, but it certainly cannot be implied that Ben was responsible for the greater overall majority; as you have inaccurately stated.
To be precise Ben basically laid 17% of the total. I'm not sure why you feel the need to spread your false information?
A small correction: After the British team (Rick Stanton, John Volanthen, Vern Unsworth and Robert Harper) gave up on the rescue and the children, it was the Thai Navy Seals, with the help of Ben Reymenants and his partner Maksym Polejaka, who persevered and successfully laid the safety guideline through the most complex part of the cave. Only then did the British team return to help with the line laying. However, the Brits could not find the crucial passage (south exit) at the T-Junction which led to the children. It was Ben and Max who found and laid the line through that passage. Ben and Max did not lay the majority of the line, but they tackled the most complex and crucial parts of the cave.
It was also Ben who rallied the British divers back into the rescue after they had given up, yet the Brits later repaid him by banning him from further participation.
As to why they never talked about Ben and Max, it's probably because the narrative predominantly comes from the British, and none of them gave Ben and Max any credit until three years after the rescue. By then, most of the history had been written. In all media interviews, Rick, John, or Vern never gave Ben and Max any credit.
The Brits also had exclusive deals with National Geographic, and the same producer also produced the Ron Howard movie about the rescue.
@@ThaiCaveRescue The record is fairly clear as to why Ben was moved out of an active role in the rescue. Rick, John, & Vern had very little control as to how the media treated their involvement, which is unfortunately quite common. The media tend to want to paint as simple a picture as possible for "high volume stories" as they can then jam many of those simple pictures into a particular time period as possible with the most precision and least additional effort. This is why the Australians were also initially cut out of the BBC coverage post-rescue. Another part of the questionable media treatment can be seen in how the US Military Rescue team (which was only invited there to specifically support the Thai Navy) has been feted, much to their annoyance, with a mantle of authority they plain and simple reject...favoring instead that people such as Ben & Maksym get some credit.
Every time I have heard it brought up to Rick he's very clear that Ben & Maksym worked to the very edge of their abilities to help rescue the boys (and to great effect; more divers could have been lost on the way out without those thick static lines)...and unfortunately that was also part of why they were moved back away from the most dangerous remaining efforts. It has also been noted many times that they were offered a continuing supporting role, but they refused to engage in a specific, fact-based, culturally sensitive, and measured approach at a very sensitive time and that a similarly rash action to the ones Ben had insisted upon, namely attempting to teach the football team members to swim out themselves, (but not as rash as what Vern advocated in public; which doesn't mean much if you didn't already know what the suggested alternatives were) got six Thai Navy Seals stuck in the cave for several days, breaking the first rule of conducting a rescue: Don't become an additional individual in need of rescue. (Remember, John & Rick had already rescued several other rescuers.)
Finally, that Ben was called out several times in completely independent reports as not only publicly bucking the chain of command of the Thai Government, but also that of the experts brought in to deal with the mess (remember, he had very little experience in the specifically awful environment they found themselves working in) speaks wonders. As somebody trained in Wilderness Rescue myself I fully understand why Ben & Maksym were moved away from the center of activity, and I also understand how difficult such a situation can be. Here in the States the Incident Command System was created specifically because strong willed people like him are most useful as a constructive part of a team implementing well-tested "Resource Management" techniques to harness everyone's knowledge & powers of observation **inside of a properly contained well-structured team.** Failing to use such a structured system has had dreadful consequences time and time again, something nobody wants. The world is better with them still in it.
@@DrewNorthup (This is Raimund Huber)Thanks for your reply, but you're criticizing the news for painting a simple picture while relying on the news for your facts.
You mention the Command System, but the very reason Ben was invited by the Navy SEALs was that the British divers, upon their arrival, disregarded the chain of command, nearly causing Robert Harper's death.
You're saying Rick, John, and Vern had little control over how the media portrayed their involvement, but they had full control over their books and the Nat Geo documentary, no?
It’s clear that your claims rely heavily on general news sources and Rick’s and John’s books. For instance, you state that Ben insisted on teaching the football team to swim out themselves. However, this was a fabrication by John Volanthen. In reality, it was the Brits' idea. This is from the night the kids were found:
“Mr. Unsworth, a caver from Britain who lives nearby and has been exploring Tham Luang Cave for more than six years, said it would be far better for the boys to be taken out immediately by experienced cave divers than to be forced to wait for months.
“It is just the logistical thing of how to get them out, because they have never dived before,” he said. “They will have to learn very quickly, like in the next few hours. If not today, it could be tomorrow.”
He said the boys could use full face masks so they would not have to learn how to breathe through a demand valve, which most divers use.
Thai Navy SEAL divers and other experienced cave divers participating in the rescue should be able to take them safely through the cave system’s flooded passageways, he said.” - NYT/Vernon Unsworth
Before I proceed, could you confirm if, like me, you’ve had any personal conversations with the USAF, Thai Navy SEALs, Ben Reymenants, or Rick Stanton?
@@DrewNorthup one more thing - Ben Reymenants and his team were not the only victims of Rick Stanton, John Volanthen, and Vernon Unsworth. They also insulted, downplayed, or made false accusations and insinuations against the Governor, the Admiral, the Thai Navy SEALs, the Euro Divers, and SpaceX-all of whom were vital to the rescue’s success but not aligned with the British team.
It’s also very telling that Rick, John, and Vern were eager to highlight everyone else’s mistakes-whether accurate or not-yet avoided admitting their own, despite there being plenty.
So sad that one of the finest Thai boys died at age 17 in the UK, just three weeks ago
🙏🙏🙏