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Duty of Care - Soldiers

(10 Posts)
Eloethan Tue 16-Jul-13 19:11:32

I was shocked to hear that two soldiers have died, and one is in a serious condition, while undertaking training in unusually hot conditions.

Some time ago there were reports that soldiers' families were living in dilapidated and insanitary housing. Now, we are told that more soldiers have committed suicide than have died in Afghanistan and that there is a lack of proper counselling and general support for traumatised soldiers.

Successive governments (and the media) are full of fine words eulogising soldiers killed in action. But they're not so keen on putting their money where their mouth is and protecting their health and wellbeing.

Mishap Tue 16-Jul-13 20:03:57

Deaths of young soldiers have occurred oin the Breacon Beacons before. It is such a stupid waste.

Nonu Tue 16-Jul-13 20:09:27

It is all soo very sad for everyone , concerned !

Mishap Tue 16-Jul-13 21:00:05

This topic is alos being pursued on the Nanny state thread.

Winefride Tue 16-Jul-13 21:47:30

Son in army for 20 yrs . Says TA just not fit enough to work in 48 degree temps. They are advised re use of water over 24 hrs but untrained staff just don't get it . Lack skills to monitor themselves . Whose fault is that ?

annodomini Tue 16-Jul-13 22:32:49

This is heart-rending

Eloethan Tue 16-Jul-13 23:27:49

Terrible.

Mishap Wed 17-Jul-13 09:31:37

How worrying this is - the whole gung-ho/got to seem macho thing destroying common sense. These poor young men deserve better. As I said on the other thread - if one person had been taken ill, one might assume that there was some problem in him that predisposed him to collaspe; but 6 soldiers collapsed, 2 died and 1 is ill in hospital. This implies a systemic failure on the part of the authorities; and I am disturbed by their statements in the press that they do not intend to change their activities in the light of this tragedy.

merlotgran Wed 17-Jul-13 09:53:06

What a pity the hikers didn't show a bit of compassion and do more to help them. So what if their own supplies of water were limited and their back packs heavy (Bless!)

They knew there was no water in the stream but didn't realise fatalaties were going to happen??

I would have abandoned my own hike and done all I could to get help.
What selfish people.

Tegan Wed 17-Jul-13 10:03:35

I'm not surprised by this, given something that I was told when the Iraq was first started [don't really want to mention it on a forum until I've asked permission of the person who told me sad; not a member of the military but someone that was involved with supplying 'necessary' equipment to them.