### The Story of Ray Catania: A Near-Death Experience Involving 17 Cardiac Arrests
The phrase "Man who died 17 times in 13 minutes says he saw heaven" refers to a viral news story about **Ray Catania**, a 57-year-old former firefighter from New Jersey, USA. Catania suffered a severe allergic reaction in 2004 that led to 17 episodes of clinical death (cardiac arrests) over just 13 minutes while paramedics fought to save him. He claims to have had a vivid near-death experience (NDE) during this ordeal, where he "saw heaven" as a place of profound peace and light—but was ultimately sent back by a vision of his deceased father. The story gained renewed attention in mid-September 2025 through articles in outlets like LADbible and Metro UK, sparking discussions on social media about the afterlife.
#### What Happened: The Medical Emergency
- **The Incident**: On July 4, 2004, Catania ate a ham sandwich containing peanut butter, triggering a life-threatening anaphylactic shock. His throat swelled shut, cutting off his oxygen, and his heart stopped repeatedly.
- **The Resuscitation**: Paramedics, including his fellow firefighters, performed CPR and defibrillations 17 times in a frantic 13-minute window. He was clinically dead each time—meaning no heartbeat or brain activity—before being revived temporarily. Doctors later called it a "miracle" survival, as most people wouldn't endure even one such arrest without severe brain damage.
- **Aftermath**: Catania spent weeks in a coma and required months of recovery. He has no memory of the physical pain but vividly recalls the otherworldly experience that unfolded during those deaths.
#### What He Claims to Have Seen in "Heaven"
Catania describes his NDE as a multi-layered journey that felt timeless, despite lasting only seconds in real time each time. Here's a breakdown based on his interviews:
- **Initial Void and Light**: He first entered a dark, empty void—like floating in nothingness. Then, a brilliant cone-shaped white light appeared ahead, emanating warmth and pulling him toward it. He felt an overwhelming sense of peace, free from his body's agony.
- **Encounters with Spirits**: As he approached the light, he saw translucent figures of deceased loved ones, including his grandmother and a close friend who had died years earlier. They communicated telepathically, welcoming him and assuring him he was "home."
- **The Gates of Heaven**: He claims he passed through massive pearl gates into a heavenly realm. It was a lush paradise: Vibrant green fields, crystal-clear rivers, and colors more vivid than anything on Earth. There was no pain, fear, or judgment—just pure love and serenity. He heard ethereal music and sensed the presence of a higher power, though he didn't see a traditional "God" figure.
- **The Turning Point—His Father's Intervention**: Just as he felt ready to stay forever, his father (who had passed away 15 years prior) appeared, blocking his path. His dad sternly said, "It's not your time, Ray. You have to go back—your kids need you." Catania begged to stay, but the vision compelled him to return. He woke up in the ambulance, gasping for air.
Catania emphasizes that the experience wasn't a dream; it was hyper-real, with details he couldn't have known (like the exact layout of the emergency room during his arrests). He now views it as proof of an afterlife and has shared his story in books, podcasts, and interviews to comfort others facing loss.
#### Public Reaction and Skepticism
- **Media Buzz**: The story exploded online in September 2025, with Metro UK publishing a photo gallery on October 17, 2025, titled "Man who died 17 times in 13 minutes says he saw heaven — but his dad sent him back." It drew comparisons to other NDEs, like those of pilots or surgeons who've "died" on operating tables.
- **Believers' Take**: Many see it as divine reassurance. Catania's account aligns with common NDE elements reported in studies (e.g., light tunnels, life reviews), which some researchers attribute to spiritual realities.
- **Skeptics' View**: Critics argue it's a brain response to oxygen deprivation—hallucinations from DMT release or survival instincts. No medical proof exists for "heaven," and similar stories vary wildly (some report hellish visions instead).
- **Catania's Life Post-NDE**: Now an author and speaker, he runs a foundation for allergy awareness and says the experience erased his fear of death. "Heaven is real, and it's waiting—but not yet for me," he often says.
If this isn't the story you meant or you'd like details on similar NDEs (e.g., from Randy Kay or Jim Woodford), let me know!
