Ashley H NDE

Experience Description

My husband, my 9-year-old son, and I had been playing in the family pool, chasing each other and having a great time. I was standing a few feet away from them when my husband lifted our son above his head and threw him into the water, not realizing I was in his landing path. He landed directly on my head, neck, and upper torso and, the best way I can describe it, knocked me completely out of this world. I went under the water and did not come back up.

I felt what seemed like a lightning bolt go down my spine, and suddenly I was floating in a dark blue void. I felt like the world had ripped and I had fallen through. It's hard to describe fully because I have never experienced anything on Earth quite like it. I didn't have a body anymore; I just was there. There was no temperature or gravity, time stopped, and I felt a peace I had never experienced before. I was alone, weightless, and sinking into a darkness that was comforting and warm.

I remember still having thought processes and being fully aware that I was dead. Somewhere, somehow, the question of leaving or staying in my life was posed, almost like I was being given a choice. Though I knew I would see them again, I thought about my family, my husband, about not being done raising my children and did not hesitate to make my decision to stay. I felt like I was in complete control and felt more confident than I ever had.

The moment I made my choice, the deep blue around me began to lighten to aqua, the color of our pool. I slowly began to return to my body, only to realize I was paralyzed and could not exit the water on my own. I didn't feel any panic or concern; I felt very matter-of-fact about everything. I knew I would drown if I stayed under the water too long, but it didn't scare me.

I knew without any doubt that my husband would save me from the water, and I knew I would be okay. It didn't quite feel the same as confidence or optimism. I knew, like it had already happened and I was just resuming my life after a detour. Only after he pulled me up out of the water did I start to feel anything other than peace. I was very confused and scared. I couldn't really remember at first, but the only thing I could think was that I had died for a moment.

Since my experience, I am no longer afraid of death and have been left with an unwavering faith that whatever happens next is a good thing. I didn't get any mysterious answers or solid proof. I did come back with new belief such as I would see my loved ones again, that my life was supposed to go a certain way, and that I had a measure of control in that. These beliefs have shaped my belief system.

Background Information:

Gender: Female

Date of NDE: 7/12/2025

NDE Elements:

At the time of your experience, was there an associated life-threatening event? Yes
Swimming accident, I very nearly had my neck broken during the accident, and ended up with 2 cervical disc replacements afterwards.

How do you consider the content of your experience? Entirely pleasant

Did you feel separated from your body? I didn't have a body or appearance, I just was.

How did your highest level of consciousness and alertness during the experience compare to your normal everyday consciousness and alertness? I was unconscious but had an internal awareness. I couldn't tell what was going on around me, but was able to maintain a thought process and felt very aware of myself

At what time during the experience were you at your highest level of consciousness? More consciousness and alertness than normal

Please compare your vision during the experience to your everyday vision that you had immediately prior to the time of the experience I was in a pool, the water was cold but during my experience it was no longer cold, or the cold didn't affect me anymore. I couldn't see, hear or feel anything going on in the world around me, but I did feel and see the darkness I was in. I felt very much like I was on a different planet or plane or something like that.

Please compare your hearing during the experience to your everyday hearing that you had immediately prior to the time of the experience no noise at all, it was silent

Did you see any beings in your experience? No

Did you encounter or become aware of any deceased beings? No

Did you see or feel surrounded by a brilliant light? No

Did you see an unearthly light? No

Did you seem to enter another world? Some unfamiliar and strange place
There was no time, and the space I was in seemed endless

What emotions did you feel during the experience? Peace, and calm

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

Did scenes from your past come back? No

Did you come to a border or point of no return? I came to a definite conscious decision to return to life
I felt like I knew how things were going to go, that I had a choice but it wasn't supposed to be my time. I had a feeling that I had picked this life, that I had a purpose in finishing my current life, but that if I didn't want to, I would see my loved ones next time. I remember being aware that I was gone but being given an option to return. It wasn't verbal, it was just a choice to make and I made it immediately.

God, Spiritual and Religion:

What was your religion prior to your experience? Moderate

What is your religion now? Moderate

Did you have a change in your values and beliefs because of your experience? Yes
I have never been particularly spiritual despite being raised Christian. Since my experience, I have become more spiritual and have strong beliefs that we are tied into something bigger than ourselves. Though even I feel woo-woo about it, I believe in soul contracts, multiple lives, that everything has energy and we are just another form of it. My relationship with death has changed quite a bit. I never really thought about it before, but was somewhat afraid. Now I am not afraid at all, and actively think about and consider death to be another part of life. I don't believe it is a bad thing, or something to fear. It's just the natural next step.

Did you seem to encounter a mystical being or presence, or hear an unidentifiable voice? No

Did you encounter or become aware of any beings who previously lived on earth who are described by name in religions (for example: Jesus, Muhammad, Buddha, etc.)? No

After the NDE:

Was the experience difficult to express in words? Yes
Time didn't exist fully, so it is difficult to explain what happened.

Do you have any psychic, non-ordinary or other special gifts after your experience that you did not have before the experience? Uncertain
I have always had very strong intuition or gut instinct, though I never considered it abnormal.