Thai cave rescue a logistics nightmare

* 12 boys, aged 11 to 16, and their 25-year-old coach entered the Tham Luan Nang Non cave on June 23.

* It was 10 days before they were found.

* To escape, they have to negotiate 4km of dark, narrow passages by swimming and using scuba equipment and wading.

* It's an 11-hour round trip to get in and out.

* Divers need 20 hours to lay air tanks and prepare the route.

* So far there's been 1 fatality - former Thai navy Seal Saman Kunan died while placing air tanks along the route.

* There are 18 divers, five Thai and 13 foreigners, including Australians taking part in the delicate operation.

* The number of Australians helping with the rescue operation varies depending on rotations, but up to 19 are involved.

* The group includes six Australian Federal Police divers supporting the Thai Navy, together with a liaison officer and interpreter and Dr Richard Harris, a specialist in hyperbaric medicine.

* A 100-strong support team is pumping out litres of water to stop more flooding in the caves.

* 4 boys were taken out on Sunday in 11 hours.

* 4 boys were taken out on Monday in 9 hours.

Australian Associated Press