Geelong man ‘died’ for 28 minutes after basketball game

A Victorian man has described the experience of “dying” for 28 minutes and what he saw after he collapsed while playing basketball.

A taekwondo instructor has described his “out of body” experience during 28 minutes while he was technically dead, after he collapsed suddenly last year.

In November, Phill Zdybel, 57, was playing basketball in Geelong, when he had a cardiac arrest, which was caused by a coronary artery aneurysm, the Geelong Advertiser reported.

Mr Zdybel’s son, Joshua, was at the game and called emergency services, while an off-duty nurse began to perform CPR and others found a defibrillator.

Taekwondo instructor Phill Zdybel ‘died’ for 28 minutes. Picture: Brad Fleet

Paramedics arrived, rushing Mr Zdybel to hospital, where he woke up a few days later.

It was then that he was told by doctors he had been dead for 28 minutes.

He described the experience as “out of body”, feeling like he had been watching what was happening from above.

He said he was grateful it had happened while he was around so many people, rather than practising his martial arts or while working as a taxi driver for people with disabilities.

Mr Zdybel said if it had happened at any other time, “no one would have found me”.

Mr Zdybel hopes everyone learns CPR as it saved his life. Picture: Brad Fleet

“I’m a miracle man,” he said.

He added that he wasn’t going anywhere, saying he had too much to live for.

“All the little things we worry about are not worth worrying about,” he said.

“Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do anything.”

The Geelong man was in hospital for a week, having a stent installed during that time, before being released.

He said he believed his fitness frorm his martial arts, which he was considering giving up before the life-changing day last year, helped him survive.

Mr Zdybel recently competed alongside his son at a martial arts competition, but revealed while he feels mostly fine, he does get tired more than he used to.

He added he hopes everyone learns CPR, as it helped save his life.