> I don't see how that is any better than them going directly.
It means they don't need to keep themselves oriented in an underwater 3D maze while operating unfamiliar breathing equipment.
It means they don't need to keep themselves oriented in an underwater 3D maze while operating unfamiliar breathing equipment.
That said, there's always some people who "lose it" during a dive course or even newly certified divers. Though I've yet to hear of anyone who decides to stop breathing air and opt for water, usually they bolt to the top, which isn't an option here. That risk can be mitigated by doing "pool" dives right where the kid are and perhaps short stays in the adjacent cave areas. Maybe some relaxing music can be played as well... Another possibility is adding some "rest stop" by creating air pockets along the way.
1- We're talking about kids who haven't dove before and probably don't even know how to swim
2- The visibility is 0. Some would be uncomfortable walking through tight dark spaces, let alone having to dive through them.
3- They're kids.
I find it surprising that clearly sport-oriented children from a fairly popular tourist beach destination don't know how to swim.
Drowning is the leading cause of death of young people in Thailand.
At a pool under a waterfall in Thailand last year I saw a bunch of young people trying to swim. No one wanted to be the first in. Some were plainly terrified. Water was waist deep only! Quite a sight.