Each year, as many as 1 out of 5 people whose hearts stop will be revived. The stories that some of them share are often called near-death experiences (NDE).

These incidents often feature tunnels leading to a bright light, spiritual encounters, meetings with deceased loved ones, and other things that seem mystical.

In some cases, people whose hearts have stopped beating describe out-of-body experiences, in which they feel like they have left their bodies and seen the efforts to revive them.

They had Awareness of full conversations and seeing things that were going on around them.

Some people go on fantastic journeys and are often forever changed.

It is the sparkling clarity and the living color of that experience, which many have when they lose Consciousness, which let them feel even more real than real.

I woke up in what looked like space but there weren’t any stars or light. I wasn’t floating so to speak, I was just there. I wasn’t hot or cold, hungry or tired – just a peaceful neutral kind of thing.

I knew there was light and love somewhere nearby but I had no urge or need to go to it right away.

I remember thinking over my life, but it wasn’t like a montage. More like I was idly flipping through a book and snippets stood out here and there.

Whatever it was, it changed my thoughts on a few things. I am still afraid to die, but I’m not worried about what happens after that.

People who have had an NDE say they no longer fear death. They feel less caught up in everyday worries and cares, and they have a new or heightened sense of altruism, or selfless concern for others.