EEK! Michael Mosley Missing in Greece

I heard heat exhaustion too. I suspect it made him disoriented and so he took the wrong road. Very sad.

Latest news is Police are saying it was heat exhaustion. What a terrible, preventable death.

Calipso, I don't think speculation over the events leading to MM's death is necessarily unkind, nor is dreaming up wild scenarios, (I've been on this very journey myself with my own father - same age, abroad etc). But yes, smugness and false accusations about the man are unkind.

I am surprised he didnt know about heat problems[not that I do].

Joseann I agree that it's wise to learn from the experiences of others. What I find offensive is the wild speculation, inaccurate information and the implication that he was some kind of crank. There have most certainly been unkind and smug posts.

Would we be having similar conversations about those who died because of lifestyle choices? A far more common cause of death ...... No I thought not.

I think the last two posts on this thread express it perfectly. The fact that MM was such a knowledgeable person in his field doesn't make him infallible. The fact that he made a mistake and got things wrong actually serves to teach us that no one is perfect. I think it is important to have conversations about a phone, adequate water, time of day, excessive exercise etc on this thread. The good thing is here on GN that I don't read anyone apportioning blame in a particularly unkind manner.

I was only vaguely aware of him (and his advice is not my type of thing at all) but I think it's fine to believe in and benefit from the advice someone gives, and at the same time question a particular decision. I dont think one negates the other if you see what I mean. We all make errors, he was just a human being, mostly we get away with those errors, it is just sad that this ended in this way.

It’s obvious from all the comments on here that everyone is extremely sad about what happened to Michael Mosley, but that doesn’t mean we can’t express our complete bewilderment at how he would undertake such an arduous walk in scorching temperatures, whilst feeling unwell.

It’s just so hard for most people to understand what the thinking was behind his decision.

Thanks Urmstongran
I have particular reasons to be very grateful to him, a lovely man taken far too soon
RIP Michael

Apologies for the long post.
But this was MM at his best - and his legacy.

Here are 11 of his more unusual and memorable nuggets of advice…

Stand on one leg while brushing your teeth
Although hard at first, this trick engages multiple muscle groups, including the core, glutes and legs. Regularly doing this exercise can strengthen these muscles, improve your coordination and balance, and enhance your overall physical performance.

Chew slowly
Chewing your food for longer breaks it down more, which in turn helps your stomach to digest it more easily. Chewing slowly also lets your hormones tell your brain you have eaten, reducing hunger and making you feel full, so helping you reduce weight.

Break up exercise into chunks
Breaking up exercise into short 5-10 minute chunks across the day is actually just as beneficial than doing it in one 30-minute burst. Doing this provides similar health outcomes in terms of fat, glucose and insulin levels – and is often much easier to fit into your day.

Do mental arithmetic under pressure
Putting your body through short bursts of stress – such as doing maths under pressure, or public speaking – has been shown to be good for us. It enhances cognitive and physical performance with wide-ranging effects on the brain, body, cardio and immune systems.

Sing, sing, sing
Singing can increase the levels of endocannabinoids in your brain, to give you a genuine high. It exercises the brain and body, improves posture, breathing and muscle tension. Some studies show it is effective in pain relief. Plus it reduces the stress hormone, cortisol. Reading a poem has similar benefits – and can help boost cognitive health.

Eat chocolate
Eating just two squares of dark chocolate every day can have clinically significant effects on blood pressure and heart health – and it can even boost blood flow to the brain. This is all down to the flavonoids in the cocoa. But – it has to be dark.

Volunteer
Volunteering can increase your self-esteem and well-being, and alleviate symptoms of depression. Some studies have even shown it lowers blood pressure and cholesterol. Those over 65 who volunteer have both better physical and mental health.

Take a cold shower
Michael Mosley was a big fan of cold showers. Studies have shown chilly dips can reduce blood pressure, the effects of type 2 diabetes and chronic inflammation. Cold water swimmers also get less infections and have fewer sick days.

Cold water swimmers
Even in chilly conditions, cold water swimmers get less infections CREDIT: iStock Editorial
Walk backwards
Walking backwards has been shown to improve your balance, waistline and reduce lower back pain. It strengthens core and leg muscles, improves balance and flexibility while reducing fall risk. It also burns more calories and may help with reducing body fat.

Ideally in the rain…
Walking in or after the rain is good for us – apparently because of negative ions. These are odourless, invisible molecules which are created near moving water – such as when raindrops hit pavement. It is thought these ions make air cleaner and boost our mood, relieve stress and give us more energy.

Be kind
Surprisingly, a little altruism can have big benefits for our own health. It can lower inflammation, and reduce the risk factors of many major diseases. It can also reduce stress and boost our emotional well-being.

Water isn’t enough unless you add Dioralyte to it

Yes indeed Maybee. However if he was dehydrated and suffering sunstroke he might have become disoriented and not really able to think clearly. We don’t know, we’re speculating of course, but it sounds likely. He could then have suffered a stroke or heart attack that killed him. Very sad.

kissngate

Elegran

I did wonder whether it was a kind of experiment, like "What is the effect on the body of walking in the noon-day sun?" but the answer to that has already been found and confirmed, long ago.

I think it must have been an afterthought to go on to Agia Marina. Perhaps he reached a crossroads and felt he could walk further, or maybe he missed a turning and by the time he realised, it seemed better to go on than to turn back.

I said on the other thread I think he was following the route to the Monastery which is opposite the marina where he was found. I posted a link to a Google review where a couple hiked from Pedi to the Marina following the painted waymarkers on boulders. They commented it was tough walk even though they were well equipped in early May. We don't know how much water he had with him but having suffered heatstroke myself despite drinking lots of fluid I do know it comes on quickly.

Water isn’t enough unless you add eg dioralyte to it. He should have known that

Caliston - they have him on a house CCTV (not shown) walking out of Pedi in the opposite direction to the road and taking the mountain path to the next bay where he was found. They obviously didn't think he could make it that far hence why it showed search parties walking from Pedi and not from Agios marina where the path leads to.

I think it is his route that is so strange. From the beach with his wife and friends, then alone to Pedi and, in completely the wrong direction from their accommodation, he took a very rough track to Aghia Marina. A trek of more than 90 minutes in such hot sun and unforgiving shadeless terrain. No one will know why he took that route unless he decided he would catch the water taxi from Aghia Marina back to Pedi to meet his wife and drive back home with their friends or round to Symi and meet them at the accommodation. All possible...without the hot sun. And maybe they had done before in an earlier holiday. I expect we will never know and I am just supposing.

Elegran

I did wonder whether it was a kind of experiment, like "What is the effect on the body of walking in the noon-day sun?" but the answer to that has already been found and confirmed, long ago.

I think it must have been an afterthought to go on to Agia Marina. Perhaps he reached a crossroads and felt he could walk further, or maybe he missed a turning and by the time he realised, it seemed better to go on than to turn back.

I think I read that he was walking back to Pedi in order to catch a bus back to their villa in Simi Town.

Perhaps he went in the wrong direction, saw the beach bar and was trying to get to it.
They announced that death was from natural causes. So very sad.

Elegran

I did wonder whether it was a kind of experiment, like "What is the effect on the body of walking in the noon-day sun?" but the answer to that has already been found and confirmed, long ago.

I think it must have been an afterthought to go on to Agia Marina. Perhaps he reached a crossroads and felt he could walk further, or maybe he missed a turning and by the time he realised, it seemed better to go on than to turn back.

I said on the other thread I think he was following the route to the Monastery which is opposite the marina where he was found. I posted a link to a Google review where a couple hiked from Pedi to the Marina following the painted waymarkers on boulders. They commented it was tough walk even though they were well equipped in early May. We don't know how much water he had with him but having suffered heatstroke myself despite drinking lots of fluid I do know it comes on quickly.

Elegran

I did wonder whether it was a kind of experiment, like "What is the effect on the body of walking in the noon-day sun?" but the answer to that has already been found and confirmed, long ago.

I think it must have been an afterthought to go on to Agia Marina. Perhaps he reached a crossroads and felt he could walk further, or maybe he missed a turning and by the time he realised, it seemed better to go on than to turn back.

That seems likely to me Elegran but we will never know will me. A great shame and undeserved even if an error of judgement

I did wonder whether it was a kind of experiment, like "What is the effect on the body of walking in the noon-day sun?" but the answer to that has already been found and confirmed, long ago.

I think it must have been an afterthought to go on to Agia Marina. Perhaps he reached a crossroads and felt he could walk further, or maybe he missed a turning and by the time he realised, it seemed better to go on than to turn back.

It is very sad what has happened. It is terrible for his family. But it is also important to learn the lessons so others don’t make the same mistakes. And there were big mistakes, with awful consequences.

He wasn’t just walking back to his accommodation. For some reason he set off on a 3-4km hike over a rough, steep headland to a remote beach/bar only easily accessible by boat. The heat is unusually high in Greece at the moment. This is a risky hike and it isn’t at all clear why he did it.

1. Not nearly enough water for the heat, walk length, and terrain.
2. No mobile phone.
3. Nobody knew where he was going nor when to expect him back.

These rules are well know by experienced hikers. This is not hindsight. It is possible to do such hikes (although at that time of day few would enjoy them) by sticking to the rules.

When something tragic happens it is important to learn the lessons. I’m sure Michael would have done so.

There's a very good reason for a siesta in Mediterranean countries. It can be unbearably hot.

I hope the rescue worker with the broken leg recovers well and those poor dogs with burnt paws.

It's certainly made me realise that I must take my phone with me when I'm off only own. Another thing to have learnt from that poor man. I'm really quite upset about it. Someone you take for granted and whose work you appreciate just gone.

Of course his friends and wife could well have said. No don't go for a walk it's too hot. And like my husband years ago would have said. Don't tell me what to do. Or I know what I am doing etc etc. So many GNs say their husband's don't do as they are told/advised. And we often don't think sensibly when in holiday mode....or affected by the sun already. Just so very sad. I am sure it has made a lot of people think twice while on holiday in hot places. In the CCTV MM is the only person you see. I expect all other people were in out of the sun. Locals stay under cover 11 till 4 unless they have to be out.

Wouldn’t surprise me if he had sunstroke. I had it as a teenager and was very ill.

As I said on the other thread he has spent years telling us all how to keep our bodies healthy and avoid getting ill and he goes off in dangerously high temperature at the hottest time of day wearing inadequate footwear (just trainers) with a small bottle of water and no phone!

We were on hols last week and the temp got up to 28c and we drank gallons of water and fruit juice and sat in the shade over lunch period as it was scorching hot. He must have been roasting with another 10+ degrees on top.

Some are saying on here that he was not feeling well, so why didn’t his wife or his friends call a taxi or at least walk with him. Mind you looking at that rocky terrain who would want to walk there anyway.

I feel sorry for his family but that walk in extreme heat was asking for trouble. One evening on hols we ended up on a rocky coastal path coming off a beach. The others were keen to walk further but I refused as I only had flip flops on, not trainers like them. I was not prepared to end up in hospital with a broken ankle.

It was reported that he had been feeling unwell before he set off. Perhaps that affected his ability to think sensibly.

He was such a sensible advisor to others but unfortunately didn't remember the old song - only 'mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun'.