A 70 year old male was in cardiac arrest when the medic unit arrived at his home. We resuscitated the victim for thirty minutes with no sign of improvement. The patient was transported to the ER where he remained in cardiac arrest. When we left the hospital doctors were continuing resuscitation efforts. Two weeks later the patient came to our station and pointed out the two medics that had worked on him. Then he proceeded to explain in great detail all of the procedures and medications we administered.
The patient was totally unresponsive while in our care. He was in cardiac arrest with CPR being performed. Yet he was able to identify the very people who were resuscitating him. When asked how he knew all of these details, he stated that he was sitting on the bench seat in the medic unit watching us.
I know this sounds extraordinary but it is true. Some people call this a Near Death Experience (NDE). Many people are on record claiming similar situations. People who are, for all intents and purposes dead, have an out of body experience. They are very accurate as to their description of the activity taking place around them.
While working at the hospital years ago, I had several encounters with patients that claimed to have an out of body experience. One individual explained everything I did when I arrived in his room. He was in cardiac arrest but was able to call me by name. He stated that he was sitting on the sink watching the activity. He too was very accurate in the details.
Another interesting phenomenon is called the Lazarus Syndrome. This occurs when individuals have been pronounced dead, but later develop a spontaneous pulse. There are several theories as to why this happens, but no one knows for sure.
For example, a 27 year old drug overdose was pronounced dead. Thirty four hours later the individual was found snoring in the mortuary.
An 80 year old male was in cardiac arrest and was defibrillated multiple times. Each defibrillation resulted in the patient waking up for a few minutes. Each time he described what he saw. He stated that he was climbing a ladder that had a warm bright light at the top. Each time he would arrest he stated he would get closer to the light. Then after defibrillation he would wake up.
This went on for sometime. The man had been defibrillated over twenty times. On the last defibrillation he told us that his deceased wife was at the top of the ladder reaching down for him. “I almost made it that time. I wish I could get to her.” Right after he made this comment he went into cardiac arrest again. The doctor told us to let him go. He was then pronounced dead.
So what issues does this phenomenon create for EMS and hospital personnel? It appears there may be both ethical and possibly legal issues.
Medical personnel sometimes talk among themselves during resuscitation efforts. Jokes may be made as a way to reduce the stress of the moment. If the patient has an out of body experience and hears what is being said, what repercussions could follow?
If a paramedic pronounced a patient dead and hours later the patient has a spontaneous return of pulse and breathing, are there possible legal implications associated with this incident?
These are just a few points to consider. It could be good subject matter for EMS and hospital personnel to have as open dialogue. Now be honest, you did have a few goose bumps when reading this. Didn’t you?
When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”
John 11:43-44
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