Emma Cowing

Five years ago, I was pronounced dead in Afghanistan. This is what I’ve learned since

My heart stopped. Then I really started to live

Photo: Ian Rutherford 
issue 14 December 2013

Just over five years ago, I was pronounced dead on the front line in Afghanistan. I had collapsed with acute heatstroke in temperatures of 52°C during a military foot patrol. I am a reporter not a soldier, but for four minutes, as a medic attempted to restart my stopped heart, I was a category A.

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