Dr Richard Harris, Australian deep-diving anaesthetist who played a significant role in saving thirteen boys inside a Thai cave, discusses his pivotal role in the rescue, the impact of media pressure, the fascination with risk taking, the effects of public speaking on personal growth, society's aversion to risk, and reflections on the emotional journey after the rescue.
Taking risks and pushing boundaries is essential for personal growth and empowerment.
Being self-compassionate and supportive of colleagues helps overcome failure and maintain resilience.
Cave diving requires caution, training, preparation, and adherence to safety protocols to mitigate risks and ensure enjoyable experiences.
Deep dives
Dr. Richard Harris and the Thai Cave Rescue
Dr. Richard Harris, an anesthetist and experienced cave diver, played a pivotal role in the rescue of 12 boys and their coach trapped in a flooded cave in Thailand. Dr. Harris, along with his colleague Dr. Craig Challen, volunteered to assess the health and fitness of the boys and advise officials on the best rescue method. Despite initial doubts about the safety of sedating the boys and bringing them out underwater, Dr. Harris and Dr. Challen took on the challenge. They dived through the dark and treacherous cave to reach the boys and successfully brought them to safety. The rescue mission garnered global attention, and Dr. Harris's expertise and bravery were recognized with numerous awards.
The Power of Taking Risks
Dr. Harris's involvement in the Thai cave rescue highlights the importance of taking risks and pushing one's boundaries. While Dr. Harris himself admits to not being a natural risk-taker, he believes that exploring emotional and physical boundaries is essential for personal growth. He stresses the need for young people to engage in activities that involve some level of risk, allowing them to learn from failure, expand their comfort zones, and develop resilience. By taking risks and challenging oneself, individuals can become more confident, adaptable, and empowered.
Handling Failure and Building Resilience
Dr. Harris acknowledges that failure can be challenging to handle, especially for professionals in high-stakes fields like medicine. He emphasizes the need to be self-compassionate and supportive of colleagues in order to overcome failure and maintain resilience. Dr. Harris also shares his personal experiences with failure and the lessons he has learned along the way, demonstrating his belief that failure is an opportunity for growth and self-improvement. By reframing failure as a stepping stone towards success, individuals can develop a stronger sense of personal accountability and learn to navigate adversity with confidence.
Risk management and experience in cave diving
Cave diving involves clear risks, but with gradual experience and building confidence, these risks can be managed effectively. By slowly expanding their diving experience, divers can go further and deeper, developing their skills and expanding their comfort zone. Over time, what was once uncomfortable becomes a recreational pursuit. Cave diving requires caution, training, preparation, and adherence to safety protocols to mitigate risks and ensure enjoyable experiences.
Exploring risk perception, public opinion, and personal fears
The speaker reflects on the decision-making process and the possible consequences of the Thai cave rescue. They acknowledge the concerns and fears their wife had about the children's safety, their own mental health, and the potential fallout from public opinion. The speaker recognizes that they worry about being liked and have a sensitivity to negative feedback. Despite being honored as Australian of the Year, they preferred to stay out of the media spotlight and maintain privacy. They also discuss the significance of managing risk and considering the potential outcomes in any situation, both personally and professionally.
While our guest might humbly refer to his heroics as “that thing in Thailand”, it was in fact far more significant…
In 2018, the world was gripped by the terrifying story of thirteen boys who were miraculously saved from inside a Thai cave. Maybe you’ve seen one of the billion docos made about it, or the Hollywood film directed by Ron Howard. As you probably already know, the most miraculous part was HOW these boys were saved, thanks in large part to today’s guest, Australian deep-diving anaesthetist, Dr Richard “Harry” Harris.
In this fascinating Academy of Imperfection, “Harry” answers some of the 5000 questions that Hugh, Ryan and Josh wanted to ask (but didn’t have time), and then ultimately shares some valuable insights on the art of risk.
To learn more or purchase 'The Art of Risk' by Dr Richard Harris, follow this link: https://bit.ly/44R70EP
