Rescuing the boys from the cave — Richard Harris

As a staff team in preparing for 2021 we recently listened to a podcast of an interview with Richard Harris and his support to the daring team rescue of the Thailand cave boys several years ago. Medicine and diving have been twin themes of South Australian anaesthetist: Richard ‘Harry’ Harris’ adult life. He and close friend Craig Challen were about to leave on a cave diving adventure in July 2018 when they got news of a group of boys marooned in a flooded cave in Thailand. As an expert in the field Richard was asked if it would be possible to extract the boys by carrying them out under heavy sedation. Richard’s response was that it was out of the question. But by the time he got to Thailand, he realised it was the only feasible solution to bringing the boys out alive. Richard and Craig were jointly named as 2019 Australian of the Year for their roles in the rescue mission.

The reason we listened to this story was to highlight the importance of living with Joy in a world where there can be much negative chatter; the podcast also emphasised working through problems, worry and difficulties and it also challenged us as educators to see with New Eyes. As teachers it is important that we present a hopeful disposition, see the uniqueness of every person but also demand high standards of each other. Two links are listed, if you are interested; one the 50 minute podcast and the other a 30 minute Anh Do TV interview.