Cave rescue in Germany

Alkapton

Alkapton

Member
The link you give is the same as a link higher in this thread, and I cant see the video because my connection to reality is iffy... to say the least.  I hope he is out I'm trying to get people to donate to the costs, but I th8ink he not out yet -- please tell me I am wrong.
 
hoehlenforscher

hoehlenforscher

Active member
There is a high chance he will exit the cave some time tonight (if not already). Basically, as of a few hours ago they only had the 350m entrance shaft to negotiate, which, compared to the rest of the cave is relatively straight forward. Plus, there is access to plenty of fresh manpower and the psychological effect of being so close is a big factor now too.  And yes, there has been some speculation about closing the cave, but I think this is just media talk at the moment.

As for costs, the DAV (alpine Club) will cover search and rescue up to 25000 Euros, so that won't go far. I guess the cavers solidarity fund had several thousand Euros in it so that will be exhausted. The whip round as mentioned above will hopefully help too. Since there has never been such a major rescue operation as this before I can see that it may result in a complete review of the rescue system currently in place.
 
O

Olaf

New member
They've just reached the surface and got him safely out of the cave at 11:44am local time. There will be a press meeting soon... congratulations!

With regards to "closing the cave": It doesn't seem entirely clear yet, whether that just means installing a gate with an easy to get key to keep away the kids from the neighbourhood or what else they had in mind...
 
Les W

Les W

Active member
This is very good news.
I hope he makes a quick recovery.

Well done to all the rescuers  (y)
It's good to see such co-operation and commitment.
 
Alex

Alex

Well-known member
I doubt the original explorer when he recovers he will want the cave to be closed,  for one he probably has a bone to pick with it, facing demons and all that.
 
hoehlenforscher

hoehlenforscher

Active member
It is interesting to note that rather than fly him directly to hospital as you might think the medical tam have in fact set up a field Intensive care unit in a shipping container near the cave entrance. Here they are going to monitor a few things prior to a helivac to hospital . They are specifically concerned with the affect on his eyes of a return to daylight, the way his body has coped with being kept immobile at 4 degrees for 12 days, and most importantly on the medication that has been used in a situation that has never before been trialled under such prolonged circumstances, since a patient would normally have been directly in an IC station.

Get well soon Johann, and a huge thank you to all involved in any way with the rescue.

Gluck Tief
 
Bottlebank

Bottlebank

New member
Best of luck to him, although I wouldn't worry too much about the effect of daylight on his eyes - the number of Scurrions appearing on the stills and videos of the rescue suggests he hasn't spent much time in the dark :)
 
cap n chris

cap n chris

Well-known member
It would be nice to think that UK Rescue organisations send unconditional praise in a show of unity for a superb rescue evacuation, acknowledging and recognising what can be done by unpaid volunteers. It is a pinnacle achievement.
 
I

ianball11

Active member
The rescue has been noticed by many people, a few colleagues who know I enjoy caving have commented about it.  Rather relieved that those conversations are now about the success so far.  (y)

 
R

robjones

New member
hoehlenforscher could you keep this forum updated occasionally with information concerning any changes to the rescue system in Germany and any changes to rescue funding in Germany?

What happens in one EU country may impinge on others in due course...

Thanks!
 
TheBitterEnd

TheBitterEnd

Well-known member
Yes heard that too, a very good representation of caving by Fleur.

She even avoided the obvious pitfall when asked what it smells like underground of saying "other people's undersuits" ;)
 
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