Softer training for SAS recruits.

Following the tragic deaths of 3 recruits on the Brecon Beacons Health & Safety have now ruled for a 'softer' training schedule, but isn't that kind of defeating the object??

 

Heres a daft idea.......... have a doctor nearby with a bottle or two of cold water in his/her bag so if any one gets into trouble whilst your speed marching them up ahill on one of the hottest day s of the year.
Its just common sense and giving a damn about the lives of the people your in charge of.
Maybe a couple of corporate manslaughter charges may help focus the minds of all the captains majors brigadiers etc etc ?

 

Should these events be more closely supervised and monitored yes definitely.
However part of me comes from a different angle. I have never been a member of the armed forces could never have been bad eyesight poor upper body strength. I did run competitively in the late 70's when there were no drinks stations in events less than 10 miles (AAA rules) and we charged round even in the hottest driest summer weather without a problem then the running boom started and lots of less well trained runners began to appear and struggled on hot dry courses. The AAA changed the rules and drinks stations began to appear on race days. This was a good thing but the individual still had to decide to pause take a drink or crack on. Being competitive lads and well trained and acclimatised the top 25% still very seldom took a drink maybe grabbed sponge on a very hot day.
What I am trying to say is that it is the individuals responsibility to look after themselves first and there mates next in events like this. The SAS and other Elite forces are not supposed to be like the average grunt. They are supposed to be able to think for themselves and operate under harsh conditions, get themselves to the target and carry out the mission in the best physical and mental state they can. So in my opinion these men should have realised what was happening and taken steps to preserve themselves. In other words found shade and/or water then laid up until feeling better. They may have missed the target time but the reasons should have been acknowledged and no penalty imposed. So perhaps the mens own expectations and the general macho culture over rode (wrongly) self preservation.

 

Well said, yes I agree!!

 

Think you summed up my thoughts there also Nigel.
But you said it much better than I would have done

 

One problem is, they only let you have one bite of the Apple, fail and you are binned for good

Jack McH

 

Armandii said..................
"I think one of the problems is that we live in a "gentle, civilised" world with social rules
and have a image of "general macho culture" that would make the SAS, and the like, chuckle. They don't tolerate any Macho culture......why, because they know that that, more likely than not, will get them killed. "

Spot on! A good mate of mine was in the SBS - he was as quiet as a mouse and as hard as nails.
His take on it was that is better to weed them out early. Not meant in a nasty way (and certainly not meaning tough luck for those that died) but meaning that only the very best can be allowed to get through.

 

Well it sorta defeats the object if they die The guys who are training are recruits not hardened SAS, so they are not as experienced in this sort of thing. Not being an expert I don't know what the answer is but there has to be a better way (closer supervision maybe).

 

They are NOT recruits, they are serving soldiers, for many years, and apply for the tougher job as a challenge, and respect, They then get sent on several hard trainings, and then the BIG FINAL
was the one that caused these three to die, Yes it was miss managed, but an experienced soldier knows about heat exhaustion, and when to QUIT, Many passed on that day

Jack McH

 

This explains it

Jack McH

 

Very interesting, thanks Jack.