Experience description:
Northwestern College, Evanston, IL Sponsored-Sailing Nationals, Top 10 schools in town for the event. Water temp. was 41 degrees, snow on the ground. The mood was intense and the elements were tough. Our boat capsized: "A Flying Junior" small craft, sloop rigging, two man operation. As the captain, I attempted to recover the boat from flipping and in doing so, I was tossed underneath the sail as the vessel capsized. (Personal floatation devices were present and being used by both of us.) Garments were not selected for submerging, only for the air elements. Time was of essence but not on my side. After 9 quick minutes of persistence, maneuvering became difficult. My limbs seized, my chest grew tight my efforts were useless. Time was now about 14 minutes:
the water got warm...bright flowers glowed in front of my vision, soon after covered by a frost-like haze. I pushed out a softly spoken "Help" only for myself to hear.
At the next moment..." She has no pulse, she's a led weight, start counting!1!2!3!4....I watched and heard a woman in a orange jacket, letters on her back, "US Coast Guard" was talking to me, for a brief moment.
Arriving at the boathouse I was jostled and at that moment I started hearing people talk again.
2 years later I took a class in college, "Death & Dying", where I was asked if I had experienced any near death situations. My instructor informed me that I had an out of body experience, as if I was unconscious, I wouldn't have seen or heard anything, much less looking down on a woman's back to see lettering on her orange jacket.
Any associated medications or substances with the potential to affect the experience? No
Was the kind of experience difficult to express in words? No
At the time of this experience, was there an associated life threatening event? Yes Hypothermia, Cardiac exhaust, unconscious for about 49 seconds
What was your level of consciousness and alertness during the experience? some to none and back
Was the experience dream like in any way? No
Did you experience a separation of your consciousness from your body? Yes spoken about above
What emotions did you feel during the experience? intense power, serenity
Did you hear any unusual sounds or noises? no
Did you observe or hear anything regarding people or events during your experience that could be verified later?
Yes
Did you have a sense of knowing, special knowledge, universal order and/or purpose? No
Did you reach a boundary or limiting physical structure? Uncertain
Did you become aware of future events? No
Were you involved in or aware of a decision regarding your return to the body? No
Did you have any changes of attitudes or beliefs following the experience? Yes I've come to believe that
everyone need a higher power to exist. Mine is internal. When I spoke of help, I was talking to my soul to give me the adrenalin to fight back
How has the experience affected your relationships? Daily life? Religious practices? Career choices? I've become a more in-depth person, I'm not afraid of death.
Has your life changed specifically as a result of your experience? Uncertain
Have you shared this experience with others? Yes Shock but respect that my words were my truths.
What emotions did you experience following your experience? Everything happens for a reason. I am still a great sailor!
What was the
best and worst part of your experience? Realizing later what occurred and slipping back to that point in time and see it happening for the first time and making sense.
Is there anything else you would like to add concerning the experience? no
Following the experience, have you had any other events in your life, medications or substances which reproduced any part of the experience?
Uncertain
Did the questions asked and information you provided accurately and comprehensively describe your experience? Yes
