Student appeals for brink of death memories
1:00pm Tuesday 28th July 2009 in News
Eva Vertannes is looking for people to share their near-death experiences with her
A UNIVERSITY student from Swindon has appealed for people to share their near-death experiences with her.
Eve Vertannes of Milston Avenue, Penhill, is studying a Masters degree in social anthropology at the University of Bristol.
The 44-year-old said she hoped the public will contribute to her dissertation research anonymously by sharing their own experiences.
“This is a serious study on a fascinating subject,” said Eve, who has not had a vision herself.
“A near-death experience can happen when your heart stops beating and your lungs stop working, but you’re not brain dead. This is before you are brought back to life.
“It’s an experience that sees you come out of your body and float above it. Some people have said it’s as if you are walking down tunnels towards a bright light.
“Others have said your life flashes before your eyes like watching a film on a projector screen.
“Some can be negative and quite scary with demons and devils attacking you. But these only happen for about one in every 10 experiences.
“The majority are positive. It can be quite empowering and sometimes it gives people strength and allows people to make life-changing decisions or gives them a purpose to fulfil.”
Eve said her research showed near-death experiences were unlike hallucinations people experienced when taking drugs like morphine or ketamine.
“It’s different as you are coming out of your body rather than seeing things outside it,” she said.
“Some say it’s a lack of oxygen to the brain in a hospital situation, but these hallucinations are different to an out of body experience.”
The part-time Swindon College worker, who worked at Honda for eight years before leaving in December, said she already has a few willing participants made up of family and friends, but needs more volunteers.
Eve, who previously studied social science at The Open University in Milton Keynes, is looking for a minimum of 10 people to take part in the study.
“I can guarantee anonymity and in fact do not need ‘real’ names of people or places at all,” said Eve.
“The story of the experience is all I need and a willingness to answer a few related questions that form part of the study.
“Volunteers need to understand that by participating they are agreeing to allow their stories to be used by myself and Bristol University as part of an academic study, dissertation and publication related to the near-death experience.”
If you would like to contribute to the study, please ring Eve on 01793 726110, or email her on evevertannes911@btinternet.com
