The world is gripped as a massive rescue operation is being carried out to save 12 Thai boys and their football coach from the labyrinthine Tham Luang caves: 

Perils of the mission were further highlighted after a former Thai Navy Seal diver lost his life in the process:

Enable divers' efficiency

As it is, a Finnish rescue diver who is part of the operations has suggested drugging the football team as the easiest way to get them out, an Insider article reports.

Jani Santala believes that this would calm the boys down and enable the divers to carry the boys out more efficiently.

Furthermore, Santala reasoned that the boys are not skilled divers or even swimmers, which might lead them to panic during extraction and make things more difficult for their rescuers.

[related_story]

This was what Santala told BBC Radio 4's Today programme on July 6, via Insider:

"The easiest way would be if the child would be almost unconscious, not fighting against the panic or anything, just strapped with a full face mask and being like a parcel that the professional divers are handling [...]

That must be terrifying, but with the proper medication that can be done. Still, the doctors might have a solution for that. But from a rescue diver's point of view, that would be the easiest way."

Obstacles faced

Here are some of the obstacles that both the rescuers and the stranded are facing:

• Decreasing oxygen levels
• Rising water levels
• Mud-clogged water
• Debris-clogged water
• Narrow, cramped caves
• Low/zero visibility
• Lack of swimming/diving skills by Thai football team

The football team is currently learning how to swim and dive while waiting out the monsoon season, which could take up to four months.

They have been stranded in the caves since June 23, where they were discovered nine days later.

Top image from Thai NavySEAL's Facebook page