In recognition of their heroic efforts, leadership and rescue skills in rescuing 12 boys and their soccer coach from a flooded cave in Thailand, the first PADI Medals of Valor will be awarded to Rick Stanton, John Volanthen, Dr. Richard Harris, Jason Mallinson and Chris Jewell.
The courage, strength, honor and dignity displayed during the rescue operations prompted PADI to create the award to formally recognize their contributions to one of the greatest moments in diving history.
Rick Stanton and Jason Mallinson representing the group will officially receive the PADI Medal of Valor during the PADI® Social on November 13th at the 2018 DEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.
It was June and July 2018 when the entire world watched with bated breath as expert cave divers converged on Thailand from around the world to participate in the rescue of the “Wild Boars” soccer team, trapped in the Tham Luang cave system. The international effort involved more than 1000 men and women for 18 days. “It exemplified the best of humanity, focused on a single, noble purpose, an inspiration for future generations,” says Drew Richardson, President and CEO of PADI Worldwide. “This complex operation highlighted the ability to act, driven by the unwavering belief that the boys would be saved. Rick Stanton, Jason Mallinson and everyone involved embraced the hardship and risk. On behalf of the entire PADI family, it is an honor to present these heroes with well-deserved recognition and our immense gratitude for representing diving’s pinnacle .”
Thailand Cave Rescue Winners
Rick Stanton and John Volanthen led the rescue operations. They were the first to locate the boys, who had been trapped in the flooded cave for nine days. Together with Mallinson and Jewell, they led the dive operations and led the boys out of the cave. Stanton and Volanthen are among Britain's most experienced cave divers, having led numerous rescues over 35 years.
Dr. Richard “Harry” Harris played a critical role in administering sedatives to the boys to facilitate their escape from extreme conditions. He works in anesthesia and air rescue in Adelaide, Australia, and is an expert in cave diving and wilderness and remote area medicine.
Jason Mallinson and Chris Jewell played a key role, bringing food to the trapped boys and assisting Stanton and Volanthen in carrying the boys through the flooded cave.
Mallinson has 30 years of experience in underwater cave exploration and rescue. He has set depth records in various caves around the world, assisted in numerous rescues, and is a member of the United Kingdom's international cave-dive rescue team.
Jewell, based in Great Britain, is a cave diver with over 12 years experience guiding cave dives.
“Their courageous mission gives us the opportunity to demonstrate to the world what the diving community is made of, and what it can achieve through a combination of preparation, faith, courage, passion, and perseverance,” Richardson said.
1 comment on “PADI Medal of Valor for Thailand Cave Rescuers, One of the Highest Moments in Diving.”
Excellent recognition, I would dare say "well deserved", but let's not forget the whole team that operated a perfect organization without which I don't think the rescue would have been successful.
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