[1] In 1991, at the age of 35, she stated that she had a near-death experience (NDE) during a brain operation performed by Robert F. Spetzler at the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, Arizona.
As a last resort, Robert F. Spetzler, a neurosurgeon of the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, Arizona, decided that a rarely performed procedure, known as a deep hypothermic circulatory arrest or 'standstill operation', could improve Reynolds' chances of surviving surgical removal of the aneurysm.
These speakers emitted audible clicks which were used to check the function of the brain stem to ensure that she had a flat electroencephalography (EEG)—indicating a non-responsive brain—before the operation proceeded.
She said she could hear conversations between operating room staff, even though she had earphones in her ears which were making a loud clicking noise many times per second in order to monitor her brain function.
[1] Reynolds' NDE has been put forward as evidence supporting an afterlife by proponents such as cardiologist Michael Sabom in his book Light and Death.
[7][8][9] Anesthesiologist Gerald Woerlee analyzed the case, and concluded that Reynolds' ability to perceive events during her surgery was a result of "anesthesia awareness".
[2]In his large study on near-death experiences, Professor Sam Parnia's group, The Human Consciousness Project, in their AWARE-study identified one subject out of 101 cardiac arrest survivors, who "described details related to technical resuscitation equipment".