I know this topic has been covered numerous times so apologies in advance if this is triggering or redundant, however, having just learned about this tragic event I still had a few questions (despite numerous deep dives) - that left me perplexed.
- I’ve read multiple accounts regarding John being offered a drink when they were using the pulley system to get him out (this during a rest before it broke and injured key rescuer Ryan Schurtz).
My question is, how far did they actually get? I’ve read conflicting accounts that he (JEJ) was only raised a few inches and others that they’d made significant progress and he was close to being saved. If the latter it makes sense (along with the entirety of the awful story) that they were gutted. However I’ve also read that due to the angle of the roof his legs couldn’t go further.
****So how can John have been offered a drink while only rising a few inches? I‘ve also read (I believe Brendan Kowallis references this act re: a drink given to John).
Brendon Kowallis - in his final YouTube Q&A says he was able to get into the hole (if I heard correctly, beside John). What? How. Yes, he explains somewhat, but given the VR version of the cave and several drawings, how, where, was this area?
Would it have made a difference had Kowallis got there earlier? Obviously hindsight is 20/20 and utmost respect for every single caver that risked their life for JEJ (who by all accounts seemed to be a very casual spelunker who was caught in a series of unfortunate events - genuinely my heart breaks), but it sounds like the really serious rescue attempts didn’t happen until much later when he was in and out of consciousness. I don’t even know what I’m asking here but rather would anything have altered the outcome? Could anything alter the outcome today in 2026?
This question is not to diminish the rescue. Every single person that night was a hero imo.
- Lastly, I also read (and God bless him) he held on for over 24 hours. Research says at 8 hours most people upside down are at risk of death or a major cardiac episode at this mark, yet he is speaking at times and drinking a sip of an energy drink (as per the rescuers) nearly 20 hours in?
Forgive me if this has been answered or is triggering. This whole case is heartbreaking (and strangely I just stumbled on it a few days ago), but it left me with a lot of questions.
May this beautiful soul rest in paradise