It was a hot summer day and I was swimming in my backyard pool with my brother and sister, while my mom was seated by the pool. I am a naturally competitive person who likes to push myself to work harder, last longer, and do things I previously couldn’t. That day, I was challenging myself to increase my breath-holding ability and swim a longer distance without needing to stop. I had heard that hyperventilating before going underwater could allow me to stay underwater longer, so I decided to give it a try. I would soon learn that this was a huge mistake.
I hyperventilated, then began swimming laps in the pool. I completed two laps and was on my third. I felt the urge to breathe but pushed myself to go a little longer and make it to the side of the pool one more time. My head pounded and felt like it was going to explode. A few feet away from the edge of the pool, I felt a sudden sense of calm and peace, and nothing more.
I later learned what happened next from my family. My little sister saw me drop to the bottom of the pool. She went to check on me and realized I was unconscious. My brother quickly pulled me out of the deep end of the pool–they said I was gray and blue. I wasn’t breathing and had no pulse. My mom began doing CPR on me while my brother called 911. My dad had just arrived home and rushed in to help with CPR. My entire family screamed and cried as I lay there, dead. Miraculously, after 2 minutes of CPR, I suddenly turned pink and began breathing, and my heart started beating again.
The paramedics arrived a few minutes later and took me to the hospital. I spent nearly a week in the Intensive Care Unit. My doctors told me that I was very lucky to be alive. Also, because of the swift response time of my family and sheer luck, thankfully I did not have any brain damage or other permanent consequences from going without oxygen. I owe my life to my sister, my brother, and my mom and dad. There are no words to convey the depth of my appreciation, gratitude, and love for them, and no way I can ever repay them.
After I recovered, I was afraid to get back in the water again, worried that it would happen again. But I wanted to overcome my fears. With my family’s encouragement, I challenged myself to swim again, and I am glad I did, because I still love the water. I continue to swim regularly, but now I do it in a safer way.
Jeevan is now an Ambassador with us. Learn about our Global Ambassador Program here.