The coach of the Thai soccer team stuck in a cave taught the boys to meditate to conserve energy
- The coach of the Thai soccer team that have been trapped in a cave for 12 days taught his team how to meditate.
- The boys used meditation to stay calm and conserve energy while they waited to be rescued.
- According to the coach's aunt, the 25-year-old was sent to Buddhist monestary when he was younger following the death of his parents and sibling.
- Divers found the team meditating when they arrived at the cave.
- Authorities are now they are looking at several options to extract the boys safely.
The coach of the Thai soccer team that has been trapped in a cave for 12 days taught the players how to meditate in order to stay calm and conserve energy while awaiting rescue.
The 25-year-old coach, Ekkapol Chantawong but referred to as Coach Ake, was sent to a Buddhist monastery following the death of his parents and brother as a child, his aunt Umporn Sriwichai told The Australian.
"I know he would be keeping the boys calm and happy," she said. "He loves those boys very much because he lost his father when he was very young."
"He taught the boys in the cave to do their meditation," she told the Australian. "The first time the English divers found them, the boys were meditating. The students told the rescuers that Ake taught them how to do meditation to preserve the energy in their bodies."
Rescuers discovered the team huddled on an embankment inside the cave on Monday evening after 9 days of extensive searches. The team had gone into the cave after soccer practice on June 23 but were caught inside due to rising flood waters.
Video of the rescuers' first contact with the team shows them weakened but alive, enthusiastically thanking divers for coming to their aid. Another video from Tuesday showed the boys wrapped in Mylar blankets, introducing themselves and stating they are in good health.
Authorities are now looking at several options to extract the boys safely as monsoon rains are predicted to arrive this weekend and will likely cause additional flooding within the cave. Authorities are working to teach the boys to swim and dive in order to get them through the flooded cave and are also considering professional divers dragging them out.
In the worst case scenario, the team may be left with food and medical supplies to last them months until the monsoon season ends. Officials have dismissed those reports, but have prepared supplies as a precaution.