Vern D's NDE

Experience description: 

 In 1974 I was a serving member of the 'Royal Signals' stationed in Cyprus engaged in work 'partnered' by the NSA. On the evening of the 28th. November 1974 I, along with others had enjoyed a few drinks in the local bar. (the Turkish army had invaded northern Cyprus that same year). I kept 'getting up' during the night to go to the toilet. On one occasion I again got out of bed, walked around the 'lockers' scattered about the room but tripped against an obstruction and fell headlong to the floor. Unfortunately, lying on the floor was what was referred to as a 'soldier box', this is, in effect a small 'locker' made from pressed steel. As I fell to the floor I struck my head forcefully against one of the sharp corners. I felt incredible pain for a fraction of a second and then stood up.

Standing up I could feel no pain whatsoever, I touched my head and could find no real damage. I walked with no pain or lack of function to the small table located in front of one of the 'barrack-room' windows. Although still quite dark I could clearly see the other occupants of the room. I felt that I was seriously injured and ought to get some-one to assist me. I walked around the room looking at the other people lying asleep in bed but for some reason I knew I could not wake them. I sat down at the table and attempted to complete a child's puzzle I could barely remember 'Make 23 from ? many matchsticks'. I did this to pass the time for I wanted someone to find me and get me medical attention ASAP.

When I looked out of the window the light appeared (I realize this sounds daft) too yellowish or golden and there appeared to be a limit to how far I could see (could possibly have been early morning mist?). After a time (no idea how long) I came to the thought that should someone find my body and I'm sitting over here they could miss me...(odd thought). So I walked back toward my own 'bed space' (situated behind the 'lockers' at the bottom of a 'bunk-bed') I looked toward one of the people sleeping and that's the last I remember until 'waking-up' on December 3rd.

Being so real, I had no reason to believe that what I experienced had not occurred 'physically' and proceeded to relate my story to one of the nurses. She went on to state that I'd been found, 'just after 5 o'clock' and that I lay where I'd been struck. She said I couldn't have walked about the room etc. as no one moves after the level of injury I'd sustained. She also said I'd been found suffering hypothermia and that I'd 'died twice' once in the ambulance and again on the operating theatre. Fortunately I stayed where I was on the two latter occasions.

Any associated medications or substances with the potential to affect the experience:  No

Was the experience difficult to express in words?  No

At the time of the experience, was there an associated life threatening event?  Yes

      Describe:  Please see further details below.

 What was your level of consciousness and alertness during the experience?  Fully conscious but I felt I couldn't wake anyone up or communicate - I just hoped someone would wake-up and find me (get help). I felt no physical ill-effects but knew I required help.

Was the experience dream like in any way?  No. It was so real I believed it to be totally factual. It was only after hearing the nurse say that my body lay where I'd fallen and she and subsequent Doctors informed me that movement would not have been possible in 'my condition'

Did you experience a separation of consciousness from your body?  No

Describe your appearance or form apart from your body:  Apart from the afore-mentioned strange effects I believed I was still 'within' my body.

What emotions did you feel during the experience?  Frustration - that the people in the room wouldn't wake-up and the sense in which I felt myself to be waiting for something to happen.

Did you hear any unusual sounds or noises?  I could hear no noise (that I can remember)

Did you pass into or through a tunnel or enclosure?  No

Did you see a light?  Yes

      Describe:  Only to repeat that the 'dawn' looked a little strange.

Did you meet or see any other beings?  No

      Describe:  (the only other beings were alive in the room)

Did you experience a review of past events in your life?  No

Did you observe or hear anything regarding people or events during your experience that could be verified later?  No

      Describe:  No chance - apart from the strange looks after I recounted my tale to medical staff. I was emergency 'casualty evacuated' back to the U.K. 

Did you see or visit any beautiful or otherwise distinctive locations, levels or dimensions?  No

Did you have any sense of altered space or time?  No

Did you have a sense of knowing special knowledge, universal order and/or purpose?  No

Did you reach a boundary or limiting physical structure?  Yes

      Describe:  I felt a self-imposed boundary. I felt that if I moved too far away from the 'scene' and someone found 'me' and 'I' wasn't there, then it  really would be serious.

Did you become aware of future events?  No

Were you involved in or aware of a decision to return to the body?  Yes

      Describe:  To repeat-I knew I had to get back to where I'd been injured. I was frightened to 'go and look' but decided I had to go back (I cannot remember seeing 'myself')

Did you have any psychic, paranormal or other special gifts following the experience you did not have prior to the experience?  No

Did you have any changes of attitudes or beliefs following the experience?  Yes

      Describe:  I believe that sometimes the 'dead' don't know they've gone.

Has the experience affected your relationships?  Daily life?  Religious practices etc.?  Career choices?  It hasn't really.

Have you shared this experience with others?  Yes

      Describe:  My wife. She doesn't really want to know, 'either way'. I would seriously doubt the value of bringing up the subject during 'any other business' at the end of management meetings.

What emotions did you experience following your experience?  Great physical pain. (I'd just woken up 5 days later).

What was the best and worst part of your experience?  Survival is the best part, pain was the worst part (experienced later).

Is there anything else you would like to add concerning the experience?  I'd rather have avoided it all together, had I the choice.

Has your life changed specifically as a result of your experience?  Yes

      Describe:  Mobility problems

Following the experience, have you had any other events in your life, medications or substances which reproduced any part of the experience?  No

Did the questions asked and information you provided accurately and comprehensively describe your experience?  Yes

      Explain:  In as much as the 'written word' can adequately convey emotion.

Please offer any suggestions you have to improve the www.nderf.org questionnaire?  Can't think of any.