Rescue plan for trapped UK divers
From CNN Correspondent Harris Whitbeck
CUETZALAN, Mexico (CNN) -- Divers from the British Royal Navy are set to swim through a flooded cave to try to rescue six British explorers who have been trapped for a week.
The two divers will look at whether it is possible to rescue the trapped cavers or decide whether they should bring them more food and supplies until the water recedes, expedition leader Steve Whitlock said on Wednesday.
If they attempt a rescue, they would swim to the trapped men with extra scuba equipment, which would then be used to leave the cave.
The stranded divers -- four British military personnel and two citizens -- are part of an expedition that is mapping out the Mexican caves for the Royal Geographical Society of Great Britain.
The six left last Tuesday on what was supposed to be a two-day trip, but heavy rains triggered flash-flooding, cutting off the exit.
When they realized what had happened, the six went to an underground camp stocked with food, sleeping bags, a first aid kit and a cave radio.
Expedition leader Whitlock said he was in touch with the group once a day using a two-way radio. He said there is no immediate threat to their safety because they have enough food to get them through the weekend.
The flooded area is reported to be about 100 yards (91.4 meters) long and reaches to the top of the cave, about six feet (1.8 meters) high. It is slowly starting to recede.
The rescue divers arrived in Mexico City on Tuesday and were en route to Cuetzalan, about 180 miles (300 km) northeast of Mexico City. They are expected to begin their dive Wednesday.
Maj. Gordon McKenzie, a spokesman for the Ministry of Defense, said the trapped men are starting to get "bored."
"No point in keeping them sitting up there forever," McKenzie said.
"I think now that these two divers have gone out there, there's a good chance that they may think, 'Well, we might just do it.' We're not up against a clock."
While teams have been working for over a decade to map out the Mexico cave, the current team had been in the area since February 28.
Expedition officials believe the cave could be among the five biggest in the world, with more than 60 miles (100 km) of caves.
The Mammoth Cave structure in Kentucky is the longest recorded cave system in the world with more than 360 miles (580 km).
The expedition was also designed to boost morale and self-esteem among members of the military.
"While they were in the cave, several inches of unforecast rain fell, flooding a low-lying section of the cave," McKenzie said.
"This is the kind of thing that all cavers know can happen."
CNN Assignment Editor Melissa Gray contributed to this report.
