Commando in training died of shallow water blackout

Corporal Mark Ruben was believed to have been the victim of the phenomenon in October 2018 shallow water black-out. The Defense Security Inspectorate (IVD) has reached this conclusion. Ruben was in training to command when he became unwell during an exercise in a swimming pool in Roosendaal.

Shallow water black-out can occur if someone stays underwater for a long time and often. This mainly happens after hyperventilation and often has fatal consequences. It is a known risk in the professional diving community, but not within Defense, according to the IVD.

The inspectorate advises broader publicity to the phenomenon, writes RTV Drenthe. The rules for swimming exercises also need to be adapted.

Nobody prosecuted

Ruben made the switch from 44 Mechanized Infantry Battalion in Havelte to the Korps Commandotroepen in Roosendaal. He was removed from the water of a public swimming pool in Roosendaal on the night of 18 to 19 October. A few days later he died in the Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam.

The Public Prosecution Service (OM) decided last year not to prosecute anyone for the death of the corporal. Instructors and fellow students in the pool had acted appropriately, according to the OM.

–