Tina Hines miraculously survived after being clinically dead and left a profound message for her family upon awakening. Last year, Tina and her husband Brian planned a hike near their Phoenix, Arizona, home. Though Tina had always been in good health, she suddenly collapsed as they were about to start their trek.
Brian immediately sprang into action, administering CPR to his wife, whose skin had turned a deep purple. Tina briefly regained consciousness, but Brian had to perform CPR multiple times until emergency responders arrived.
During the harrowing ambulance ride and subsequent medical treatment, Tina’s heart stopped six times over a terrifying 27-minute period. Intubated and unable to speak in the ICU, she gestured for a pen upon awakening and wrote a perplexing yet profound note: “It’s real.”
Tina believes her message refers to a glimpse of paradise she experienced during her near-death state from a severe heart attack. She described seeing vibrant colors and a figure standing in front of dark gates with radiant golden light behind them, which she believed was Jesus.
Though unable to speak, Tina nodded affirmatively when asked by her loved ones if her experience was real. Her story is remarkable, and she feels fortunate to be alive to share it.
Survival rates for cardiac arrest outside a medical facility are extremely low, with about 90% of individuals not surviving. Brian’s timely CPR saved Tina’s life, as bystander CPR can increase survival rates to over 45%, compared to just 10% without it. However, women are less likely to receive CPR from anyone other than a paramedic.
Cardiac arrest is sudden and can be fatal, even in individuals like Tina who have no history of heart disease. Each year, around 356,000 Americans experience this condition.
Research on Near-Death Experiences (NDEs) indicates that most people do not remember being clinically dead, though 10 to 20% report visual or sensory experiences. Scientists are beginning to understand what occurs in the brain when the heart stops.
A 2013 study on rats at the University of Michigan found a spike in brain activity just before death from sudden cardiac arrest, described as highly stimulated and coordinated, similar to hyperactivity. This suggests that near-death experiences, particularly those aligned with beliefs about the afterlife, may result from increased conscious brain activity immediately following cardiac arrest. However, further research is needed to provide conclusive scientific evidence.
Although the writing on Tina’s note was difficult to decipher, her family believes the message is clear: paradise is real. This extraordinary story is worth sharing with family and friends to inspire and uplift them.