I've checked a few sources and none of them report on the man's current condition or injuries. Are the Royal Guard sorta like worker ants? They just use them until they collapse and die?
You know the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington? They compete for those places and in the heat of spring summer and fall in DC area they are at high risk of heat exhaustion - they don’t eat during the day and they increase their salt intake so they will retain water to endure the half hour shifts in the crippling heat & humidity. These are generally young and fit members of the elite US Army infantry old guard, but as we know even the young and fit can fall victim to distress under certain conditions. Standing at parade rest even a short time can result in temporary loss of consciousness if one locks one’s knees and messes the flow of humors through one’s body, as likely happened to this palace guard who fainted by the Queen’s casket.
You know the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington? They compete for those places and in the heat of spring summer and fall in DC area they are at high risk of heat exhaustion - they don’t eat during the day and they increase their salt intake so they will retain water to endure the half hour shifts in the crippling heat & humidity. These are generally young and fit members of the elite US Army infantry old guard, but as we know even the young and fit can fall victim to distress under certain conditions. Standing at parade rest even a short time can result in temporary loss of consciousness if one locks one’s knees and messes the flow of humors through one’s body, as likely happened to this palace guard who fainted by the Queen’s casket.
How did you know that? Is it in the link? We were briefed on that when I stood formation for ceremonies back in like the last century, and it happened a couple of times, not to me, thank goodness. I bet the guy is embarrassed to the extreme and doesn’t want his name to be known.
Re: Ouch!
Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2022 1:51 am
by Joe Guy
Interesting. I'm glad he recovered. It seems like odd reporting to me. I would expect any report of the guard collapsing to focus on his injuries and current condition before anything else was addressed. That looked like a nasty fall in which he might have broken bones on his face or worse. He might have died for all we know.
You know the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington? They compete for those places and in the heat of spring summer and fall in DC area they are at high risk of heat exhaustion - they don’t eat during the day and they increase their salt intake so they will retain water to endure the half hour shifts in the crippling heat & humidity. These are generally young and fit members of the elite US Army infantry old guard, but as we know even the young and fit can fall victim to distress under certain conditions. Standing at parade rest even a short time can result in temporary loss of consciousness if one locks one’s knees and messes the flow of humors through one’s body, as likely happened to this palace guard who fainted by the Queen’s casket.
How did you know that? Is it in the link? We were briefed on that when I stood formation for ceremonies back in like the last century, and it happened a couple of times, not to me, thank goodness. I bet the guy is embarrassed to the extreme and doesn’t want his name to be known.
I’m just guessing that may be why he fainted, especially since the guard is reporting he quickly recovered. It didn’t happen to me but it happened to two of my friends in US Army JROTC in high school when we had our day long formation and inspection by regional commanders. We practiced standing in formation on a somewhat regular basis but it’s still easy to screw it up especially when nervous - like under the pressure of an event like vigil for a dead Queen.
Here’s the medical explanation:
Can you faint by locking your knees?
The medical name is orthostatic or postural syncope. Happens at church, graduations, weddings or at events when standing a long time. More common if one keeps the knees "locked." This pools the blood in the leg veins. A person who stands long enough in one place will faint.
Re: Ouch!
Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2022 1:31 pm
by Big RR
I've seen people in wedding parties (usually, but not always, women) faint in churches lacking air conditioning, and it was usually a consequence of the heat, lack of eating, and standing for a long time. When I was in the army they always told us to avoid locking you knees when you were standing (even at attention of parade rest) for a long time--they never explained why, but I think it had to do with cutting off circulation through your legs, making you increasingly unstable.
Re: Ouch!
Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2022 1:32 pm
by Big RR
I've seen people in wedding parties (usually, but not always, women) faint in churches lacking air conditioning, and it was usually a consequence of the heat, lack of eating, and standing for a long time. When I was in the army they also told us to avoid locking you knees when you were standing (even at attention of parade rest) for a long time--they never explained why, but I tought it had to do with cutting off circulation through your legs, making you increasingly unstable.
Re: Ouch!
Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2022 2:40 pm
by MajGenl.Meade
D'jou do that because people have two knees, like stereo dude!