Second SAF regular serviceman dead in two weeks

1 week after an RSAF regular serviceman Master Warrant Officer P. Jegathesan collapsed and pass away after a 3 km run, another RSAF regular warrent officer was found unconsious at Paya Lebar Air Base and later pronouced dead at Changi General Hospital. (Sources: Mindef ). My deepest condolences to the family of 2WO Poh and also to our fellow couterparts in Paya Lebar Air Base.

Its always sad to hear news of our military personnal passing away in the line of duty but whats even depressing is the fact that its during the peace times where the risk of dying should not be occupational. A google search on the subject " Death of SAF Service man" will reveal several website hits spanning a timeline of 4 years. The figures are pretty astonishing when put together and the fact is our soldiers are falling one after another for one reasons or another unknown to us. I remember the first case of death I encounter was during my BMT times 6 years ago when a Super Puma SAR helicoper landed in Tekong to evacuate a recruit who collapsed during a run, he was later officially pronouced dead in the hospital. Than there is this story from my friend who found his buddy missing during a fire movement training and later found him collapsed in the bush. His buddy passed away.

Just a little knowledge for you guys, a person cannot be pronouced dead unless its officially verified by doctors or paramedics. No pulse does not mean dead for the victim still can be shock back to life using a heart defillirator. Brain dead.... dead for sure. So please please please don't stop performing CPR on a victim who had no pulse. CPR will not revive him/her but it will definately prevent brain dead situation. Contrary to what we see on TV and movie, CPR will not wake the person up.

I hope something is done to find out what is happening to our soldiers this days. Is it the heat? Is it the food we eat? Is it the mobile phone radiation? Is it something else mysterious?