Navy Report on SEAL Trainee’s Death Details Medics’ Failure to Help Him

By the final day of Hell Week, candidates informed Navy investigators, Seaman Mullen was barely coherent and so swollen that one sailor stated he appeared “just like the Michelin Man.” That day, the oxygen in Seaman Mullen’s blood reached dangerously low ranges, and the medical employees gave him supplemental oxygen, in line with the report.

A couple of hours later, on the finish of Hell Week, medical employees stated he was high quality, however he left the medical examination in a wheelchair, too sick to stroll.

The medical employees gave the sailors a written briefing a short while after that, instructing them in capital letters to not search exterior medical assist, as a result of it may jeopardize their coaching. After the briefing, the employees members went dwelling, leaving the bottom medical clinic empty, the report stated. Seaman Mullen died just a few hours later.

The small print of Seaman Mullen’s wrestle echo what many sailors say they’ve skilled lately at BUD/S. In interviews with The New York Instances, almost two dozen sailors stated the brutal coaching course left them with vital accidents and sicknesses, together with damaged arms, damaged legs, a damaged again, severe concussions, debilitating pneumonia and a doubtlessly deadly situation referred to as rhabdomyolysis, however they have been denied medical care and informed they must give up the course earlier than they may see a health care provider.

The sailors requested to not be named as a result of they’re nonetheless within the Navy, and will not be licensed to talk publicly.

After Seaman Mullen died, Naval authorities discovered testosterone and human development hormone in his automobile. Medical stories stated there was no proof that the medicine contributed to Seaman Mullen’s dying, and his household says they don’t consider he ever took them. The Navy report stated that after Seaman Mullen’s dying, 51 different SEAL candidates have been faraway from coaching over considerations about drug use.

The previous SEAL candidates interviewed by The Instances stated that medicine have been widespread in BUD/S, and that many sailors noticed them as the one technique to get by way of the grueling course. They see Seaman Mullen’s dying and the proliferation of drug use as signs of bigger issues with a course that grew to become so savagely intense that it injured many sailors however typically didn’t give them entry to medical care.