The moment Richard Harris realised the Thai cave rescue might go wrong

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Sacrifices were made. Yeah. But when there are 13 young people whose lives are in peril, it’s extraordinary how the world will mobilise. That’s the key to this story: why it’s so popular, why it has such longevity, why I continue to be proud to tell it. Look at what we did as a global community. It gives you hope.

You were named joint Australian of the Year, alongside Craig. The title doesn’t come with a cash prize, so what’s the value of something like that to you? We felt very uneasy about the whole thing, didn’t think we were the right sort of people to receive an award like that – two normal blokes who go cave diving on the weekends. Afterwards, everyone asked, “Well, what do you stand for, Harry?” I realised then that adventuring is important to me. I believe in sensible risk-taking as a way to increase resilience. I’m equally worried about adolescent mental health, and what social media and screen time are taking away from kids going outside and having the opportunity to explore their geographical and psychological boundaries.

After the essentials are covered – food, water, shelter, hygiene – what’s your next personal necessity? After family, diving. And I have to say, a lot of money has disappeared down the diving rabbit hole since I was 15 years old and bought my first scuba tank.

BODIES

What was the physical and psychological impact of the rescue on you? I was at a time in my life when I was working really hard: about 60 hours a week in medicine. I was in a management role and I’d let myself go. I was 20 kilos overweight when I got that call. So the first question was, “Am I actually up to this?” The biggest strain was the lack of sleep, and the exhaustion. We were in the cave for up to 12 hours a day, then coming out in the evening and going straight into meetings or debriefs with the Thais. I’d lie in my bed in this hotel, listening to the rain, thinking, “If it keeps raining hard, it will be the end of the kids.” That was very stressful, especially after I’d seen the children. I’d stupidly promised them that I’d be back the next day. [British diver] Rick Stanton warned me of this before I came over: “Think about the fact you’re going to meet these kids. The chances are, you’re going to swim away and leave them to die. Make sure you’re ready for that.”

God, that’s sobering. Very.

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Most people would go out of their way to avoid what you put your body through. Where does your capacity for risk come from? I don’t actually consider myself a risk-taker. What I’m trying to portray in my book is that I’m a very good risk manager. I see a lot of parallels between my work as an anaesthetist and my hobby as a cave diver. You can’t breathe water. If you run out of air, you’ll die. Similarly with an anaesthetic. If I render my patient unconscious and unable to breathe, they’ve got three to five minutes before their brain starts to die. But I’m well trained; I use good equipment. Follow rules, do checklists, remove hazards. Then you can do both disciplines safely.

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