I posted this because, of course, of the ongoing rescue operation but more for the helicopter pilot-like checklists to stay safe and stay alive. I understand that recommendation #4, #7, and #8 are practically nil'd in the case of the Thai rescue operation (cold iced coffee-like water and the untrained, not-in-great-health kids).

It reminds me a lot about how methodical planning and preparation can help prepare for a better outcome, especially when problems occur. Particularly, the part of how they practice buddy breathing and hand signal communication before going into the real depths reminds me of the proverbial testing before you are ready to "go live in production" (without life/death consequences, just 'revenue' of course). I won't belabor the metaphor but there is something that can be learned from those who go into some of the riskiest situations that a person can put themselves into precisely by "de-risking" as much as possible. For example, the probability of all three lights failing is a fraction of a percent. In a non-silt situation, having a light fail is equivalent to becoming blind.

If you are like me, this X-Ray Mag site below is a fascinating armchair way to read about the small world of cave divers. I know that the closest I will ever get to cave diving is with a full-immersive VR experience when the great, great grand-children of Oculus arrive. My scuba-loving friends all called it at open water night diving. Even wreck diving was regarded with awe. Cave diving was like being an astronaut.

https://xray-mag.com/technical-diving/cave-diving

Also, the accident reports are NTSB-level in their analysis.

https://caves.org/pub/aca/

The "Ten Recommendations for Safe Cafe Diving"

1. Always use a single, continuous guideline from the entrance of the cave throughout the dive.

2. Always use the "third rule" in planning your air supply (this means 1/3 to go to where you want to go, 2/3 to return and for emergencies)

3. Avoid deep diving in caves

4. Avoid panic by building up experience slowly and being prepared for emergencies

5. Always use at least three lights per diver

6. Always carry the safest possible scuba.

7. Avoid stirring up silt.

8. Practice emergency procedures with your partner before going diving, and review them often.

9. Always carry the equipment necessary for handling emergencies, and know how to use it.

10. Never permit overconfidence to allow you to rationalize violating recommended safety procedures.