Bloke ‘blacked out on vodka’ and ‘froze to demise for 5 hours’ introduced again to life
Man had no heartbeat and his electrocardiogram was flat-lining when found in freezing temperatures
The man returned to life after 5 hours, doctors claim(Image: East2West)
A bloke declared “clinically dead” in the remote wilderness of Siberia was brought back to life after lying unconscious in freezing temperatures for over five hours. Medics have hailed the extraordinary case as evidence of how extreme cold can aid in preserving life.
The unnamed man, believed to have been under the influence following a vodka-fuelled session, blacked out on a bench in Mirny, Yakutia – the chilliest inhabited region on Earth – with temperatures plummeting to roughly -4°F. He was found not breathing by passersby, who promptly alerted emergency services. On arrival, paramedics found no heartbeat, no blood pressure, and a “flatline” on an electrocardiogram – all signs of clinical death.
Rather than declaring him deceased, doctors at the hospital in Mirny – Russia’s diamond hub – embarked on a complex resuscitation using a specialised rewarming technique tailored for Arctic conditions.
He was rushed to the hospital, where anaesthetist Dr Dmitry Bosikov supervised a meticulous four-hour procedure to raise his body temperature from 75.2°F to 93°F.
“The rewarming method is based on gradual thawing, which does not lead to damage of the smallest blood vessels, as damage to the microvascular network can result in heart attacks, cerebral oedema, kidney failure, and death,” said a hospital statement, according to The Express, reports the Express US.
It continued: “Over the course of 4 hours, the man’s body temperature was raised from 75.2°F to 93°F. This was a coordinated, painstaking, and technically flawless effort.
“From the moment the temperature reached 93°F, advanced cardiopulmonary resuscitation was initiated; chest compressions, mechanical ventilation, and administration of drugs to stimulate circulation.
“After 25 minutes of resuscitation, a faint sign of life appeared on the monitor – ventricular fibrillation.”
In total, it took medical staff five hours and 34 minutes to report “life returned”. Initial fears of catastrophic organ damage were quickly allayed when, after 24 hours in an induced coma, the patient woke up.
His kidneys were functioning normally, and no critical systems had been compromised. Remarkably, he walked out of the hospital just five days later.
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Medical experts say this case highlights a little-known fact: patients suffering from extreme hypothermia can sometimes be revived long after they appear to have passed away.
Extreme cold can slow down the body’s oxygen needs, effectively safeguarding the brain and vital organs – but only if patients are treated carefully and warmed up gradually.
The hospital credited the man’s survival to the coordinated efforts of emergency responders and its specialised rewarming procedure.
The identity and age of the man have not been disclosed.
