Experience description:

I was tubing on the river with an acquaintance and when we reached the exit point we realized we were on the wrong side of the river, which had a fast current and was deeper than the other side. We were rapidly approaching a tree branch that jutted out about shoulder level, and before I had a chance to react or prepare to be submerged, I was knocked into the water. The current pushed me under the tree which collects debris dropped by other people on the river, which prevented me from getting to the surface to pull myself out or take a breath. There was so much stuff blocking the surface of the water that I couldn't stick my head out. I was frantic, already feeling the burn in my chest from holding my breath. No matter where I turned, I couldn't escape. The water churned me around like a washing machine. I was fighting the current to keep myself upright but got turned upside down. I turned myself around so I was on my back beneath the water facing up towards the surface when suddenly time slowed down to a crawl. It felt like I was no longer in the rushing water and chaos of trying to save my life, but like I was floating in space. Time was imperceptible. Then a woman's voice began to speak to me, filling my head. At first I thought it could be my late mother's voice, but then I recognized it as my own voice. I spoke to myself, telling myself that this is when I was going to die, but it was going to be okay. I told myself that I was going to let go and stop fighting, and pass away. My body would be carried further down the river and be pulled out by rescuers, and that was okay too. I was telling myself that I was at my moment of death and that everything was going to be okay. At that moment I rallied my remaining strength and thrust my arm out of the water, and was able to grip the branch and pull myself to safety.

At the time of your experience was there an associated life-threatening event?   Yes  I had been knocked into fast moving water and was unable to get to the surface to get air.

Was the experience difficult to express in words?  No    

At what time during the experience were you at your highest level of consciousness and alertness?      I was conscious the whole time, but I question if I was beginning to feel the effects of oxygen deprivation.

How did your highest level of consciousness and alertness during the experience compare to your normal everyday consciousness and alertness?      Normal consciousness and alertness   Not different

Please compare your vision during the experience to your everyday vision that you had immediately prior to the time of the experience.   My vision was the same.

Please compare your hearing during the experience to your everyday hearing that you had immediately prior to the time of the experience.   My hearing was different. I couldn't hear the rushing water around me anymore, just my disembodied voice.

Did you see or hear any earthly events that were occurring during a time that your consciousness / awareness was apart from your physical / earthly body?   No  

What emotions did you feel during the experience?   Calm, relief  

Did you pass into or through a tunnel?   No  

Did you see an unearthly light?   No  

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  

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

Did you become aware of past events in your life during your experience?   No  

Did you seem to enter some other, unearthly world?   No

Did time seem to speed up or slow down?   Everything seemed to be happening at once; or time stopped or lost all meaning
This was an event that was happening very quickly, but when I had the experience it was as if time stopped. I was frozen in place within the rushing river.

Did you suddenly seem to understand everything?   No

Did you reach a boundary or limiting physical structure?   No

Did you come to a border or point of no return?   No

Did scenes from the future come to you?  No 

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness suggesting that there either is (or is not) continued existence after earthly life (“life after death”)?   No  

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness that God or a supreme being either does (or does not) exist?   No  

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness that you either did (or did not) exist prior to this lifetime?   No  

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness that a mystical universal connection or unity/oneness either does (or does not) exist?   No  

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness regarding earthly life’s meaning or purpose?   No  

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness regarding earthly life’s difficulties, challenges, or hardships?   No  

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness regarding love?   No  

During your experience, did you encounter any other specific information / awareness that you have not shared in other questions that is relevant to living our earthly lives?   No  

Did you have a sense of knowing special knowledge or purpose?   No  

What occurred during your experience included:   Content that was entirely consistent with the beliefs you had at the time of your experience   I was not raised religious so I do not believe in God, and I did not experience anything that was inconsistent with that. I did not experience anything that told me there was a God.

How accurately do you remember the experience in comparison to other life events that occurred around the time of the experience?   I remember the experience more accurately than other life events that occurred around the time of the experience.   I can recall this event very vividly, but I have forgotten most details of other things I was doing at the same time in my life.  

My experience directly resulted in:   No changes in my life

Did you have any changes in your values or beliefs after the experience that occurred as a result of the experience?   No  

Do you have any psychic, non-ordinary or other special gifts after your experience that you did not have before the experience?   No       

Have you ever shared this experience with others?   Yes  I waited a couple of months before sharing it with anyone. They were surprised that this had happened.

Did you have any knowledge of near death experience (NDE) prior to your experience?   Yes   I knew that people had NDE, and that they were usually informed by their spiritual beliefs. I don't think it affected mine because it was unique to me and didn't have most of the usual NDE hallmarks.

What did you believe about the reality of your experience shortly (days to weeks) after it happened:   Experience was definitely real   I know it was real because I was always conscious.

What do you believe about the reality of your experience at the current time:   Experience was definitely real   I never lost consciousness, so I know it wasn't a dream.

Have your relationships changed specifically as a result of your experience?   No  

Have your religious beliefs/spiritual practices changed specifically as a result of your experience?   No  

At any time in your life, has anything ever reproduced any part of the experience?   No     

Did the questions asked and information that you provided accurately and comprehensively describe your experience?   Yes   I think it was pretty comprehensive, even though my experience didn't cause a big change in my life.