Well you obviously know more than I do, but I guess my question is - were these kids anesthetized?
If so, I would agree ketamine is much safer. But if you’re just trying to keep them from freaking out, 5mg is diazepam will do the job and respiratory depression isn’t much of an issue.
Yes, the kids in the cave were anesthetized. Diazepam is NOT an anesthetic: it is an anxiolytic/hypnotic/sedative. 5mg of diazepam will calm some, put others to sleep, and not noticeably affect others. Variation in response is huge. With ketamine, a given mg/kg dose is far more predictable.
If so, I would agree ketamine is much safer. But if you’re just trying to keep them from freaking out, 5mg is diazepam will do the job and respiratory depression isn’t much of an issue.