'Significant number' of Canadian Ranger deaths flagged by military chaplain

Estimates are at 49 right now.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/49-cana ... -1.3041246

Geez. Is the Legion doing anything to help, I wonder?

I don't think there is much that the Legion can do. If they release the causes of death, perhaps. But I'm betting these were minor incidents that could have been treated at a hospital, but got worse because they weren't. Most Rangers are several days drive from any medical treatment, by car. But there are no roads, just snowmobiles.

Article doesn't say the deaths are from injuries or other duty-related incidents. These could just be due to the fact that people in the North generally and Aboriginals specifically have less access to healthcare and are statistically more likely to have poorer health and die from any number of natural causes.

The article also makes lots allusions to stress, mental health, depression, etc. and I have read that rates of depression and suicide are much higher in remote regions so that could be a cause as well.

They also live a more dangerous lifestyle - hostile terrain, weather, animals.

Suicide is a big problem in the North and a bit of a problem in the Forces,as well. Perhaps, that is what the Chaplain is trying to tell us.