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4643
qualitative
book
Titus Rivas et al., The Self Does Not Die: Verified Paranormal Phenomena from Near-Death Experiences, 2nd edition, ed. Janice Holden (International Association for Near-Death Studies, 2023). Case 2.8: Dan O
Los Angeles Times - Dan O'Dowd - Case 2.8 - 1983
1979
1983
29
M
In 1979, Dan O'Dowd, a 29-year-old co-owner of a Hollywood video company, was hit head-on by a drunk driver on the Pacific Coast Highway. Over the next two years, he underwent 50 operations. During one particularly extensive surgery at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Beverly Hills lasting almost 15 hours, Dan experienced a profound NDE. Suddenly becoming totally lucid and awake despite being under anesthesia, he saw the monitor flatline and felt himself soar upward, looking down at his body. He watched in astonishment as doctors declared him dead. O'Dowd then moved into the hallway outside the operating room where he observed his family being informed of the operation's failure. Returning to the OR, he watched the medical team attempting resuscitation, observing them place defibrillation paddles on his body and deliver electric shocks. He recalled seeing himself looking "terrible dead" as they applied gel and shocked him. The first shock produced no response, but the second successfully restarted his heart, and he immediately felt himself being pulled back under anesthesia. When O'Dowd later recounted these observations, his surprised family confirmed that doctors had indeed told them exactly what Dan had witnessed. Dr. Mohammed Atik, who led the Cedars-Sinai surgical team, was perplexed by O'Dowd's accurate account. While not wanting to contradict the patient, Dr. Atik stated in the Los Angeles Times that he had no medical explanation for how O'Dowd could have known these details while under deep anesthesia during a 15-hour surgery.
1
Hospital
15
12
37
Moderate Evidence
10
Documented cardiac arrest during 15-hour surgery with successful defibrillation
Accurate observation of resuscitation procedures and family being informed of death
written_account
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1.00
1.00
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7/26/2025
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