In one of the TV interviews a cave rescuer talked about a rescue where an inexperienced diver was restrained whilst being brought out of a tunnel. Given the distances involved here it would seem unlikely they would sedate them.
EDIT: "Mr [Peter] Dennis also said he thought the boys would have been lightly sedated by a doctor who joined them in the chamber, to prevent them from panicking during the journey out." From the BBC live reporting webpage.
EDIT: "Mr [Peter] Dennis also said he thought the boys would have been lightly sedated by a doctor who joined them in the chamber, to prevent them from panicking during the journey out." From the BBC live reporting webpage.