Experience Description:

Went body surfing with buddies. I was caught in a current and started to go under the pounding surf. I was having a hard time breathing. I started choking, water rushing in my nose and mouth. DROWNING! I'M GOING TO DIE! After fighting to get air instead of salt water, I began to relax and feel at peace. Slowly sinking so peaceful. Then I looked down and saw myself below. I wanted to close my eyes and sleep.

Please try one more time Pat, one more time. Something was making or forcing me up, UP!

When I hit the surface, water, choking water, exploded from my nose and mouth. Right next to me, I saw this boy with blue dark blue eyes. Can you help me get back? I'm so tired. He looked at me. Put your hand on my shoulder. I ended up on the beach on all fours coughing my guts out. Looking around all I could see were my friends pointing at me. I wanted to thank blue eyes but I couldn't find him. After talking with my friends, they said I swam in alone. I went back a couple of times after that. I never saw the kid again.

Background Information:

Gender: Male

Date NDE Occurred: 1962

NDE Elements:

At the time of your experience, was there an associated life-threatening event? Yes Accident Bodysurfing. Other Near Drowning. I was drowning.

How do you consider the content of your experience? Mixed

Did you feel separated from your body? Yes I clearly left my body and existed outside it

How did your highest level of consciousness and alertness during the experience compare to your normal everyday consciousness and alertness? More consciousness and alertness than normal Yes.

At what time during the experience were you at your highest level of consciousness and alertness? Yes.

Were your thoughts speeded up? Faster than usual

Did time seem to speed up or slow down? Time seemed to go faster than usual Putting my arm on the kid's shoulder and next I'm on the beach gagging up salt water.

Were your senses more vivid than usual? More so than usual

Did you seem to be aware of things going on elsewhere? Neither

Did you pass into or through a tunnel? No

Did you see any beings in your experience? Neither

Did you encounter or become aware of any deceased (or alive) beings? Yes That blue eyed kid at the surface.

Did you see, or feel surrounded by, a brilliant light? A light clearly of mystical or other-worldly origin

Did you see an unearthly light? Uncertain I remember brightness while looking at my body below me.

Did you seem to enter some other, unearthly world? Clearly mystical or unearthly realm

What emotions did you feel during the experience? Lightness, relaxing, peaceful complete.

Did you have a feeling of peace or pleasantness? Incredible peace or pleasantness

Did you have a feeling of joy? Happiness

Did you feel a sense of harmony or unity with the universe? Neither

Did you suddenly seem to understand everything? Everything about the universe

Did scenes from your past come back to you? Neither

Did scenes from the future come to you? Neither

Did you come to a border or point of no return? A conscious decision to 'return' to life

God, Spiritual and Religion:

What was your religion prior to your experience? Moderate Catholic

Have your religious practices changed since your experience? Uncertain

What is your religion now? Liberal agnostic

Did you have a change in your values and beliefs because of your experience? Uncertain

Did you seem to encounter a mystical being or presence, or hear an unidentifiable voice? Definite being, or voice clearly of mystical or other-worldly origin

Did you see deceased or religious spirits? Neither

Concerning our Earthly lives other than Religion

During your experience, did you gain special knowledge or information about your purpose? Uncertain Dolphins are sacred.

Have your relationships changed specifically because of your experience? No

After the NDE:

Was the experience difficult to express in words? Yes The peace and calm I felt after fighting to stay afloat.

Do you have any psychic, non-ordinary or other special gifts after your experience that you did not have before the experience? Uncertain Swimming with dolphins in my dreams.

Are there one or several parts of your experience that are especially meaningful or significant to you? Peace, harmony, no pain, FREE!

Have you ever shared this experience with others? No

Did you have any knowledge of near death experience (NDE) prior to your experience? No

What did you believe about the reality of your experience shortly (days to weeks) after it happened? Experience was definitely real I wanted to communicate with dolphins.

What do you believe about the reality of your experience now? Experience was definitely real Sacred.

At any time in your life, has anything ever reproduced any part of the experience? Yes At a hotel Christmas party. I had this feeling to go outside.