Sarbjit Singh, a 44-year-old father of three from Great Barr, experienced a life-altering event in November 2020 that reshaped his entire outlook on life. Following a severe coronavirus infection, Sarbjit went into cardiac arrest and was clinically dead for 45 minutes. His survival was nothing short of miraculous, thanks to the relentless efforts of the medical team and an advanced resuscitation method.
On November 26, 2020, Sarbjit began feeling intense chest pains. His wife, Raj Kaur, who was five months pregnant at the time, quickly called for an ambulance. At the hospital, Sarbjit’s heart stopped beating four separate times, and despite the critical situation, the medical staff refused to give up. After 45 minutes without a heartbeat, conventional resuscitation methods had failed.
At this crucial moment, cardiologist Dr. Arijit Ghosh proposed using double sequential external defibrillation, a cutting-edge technique involving two defibrillators delivering rapid, high-energy shocks—one on the front and one on the back of the patient. This last-resort procedure successfully revived Sarbjit’s heart.
READ MORE: Best Jeans I’ve Bought in Ages: Roman’s £36 Wide Leg Denim Culottes Sold Out in Every Colour
READ MORE: Dunelm’s £24 Mila Gingham Bedding Set Brightens Up Spring Bedrooms
Reflecting on his near-death experience, Sarbjit admits that the scariest realization was knowing his children had been without their father, even if briefly. “I have no clue where I was,” he said. “But for 45 minutes, my children didn’t have a dad. That’s a terrifying thought.”
The event profoundly changed Sarbjit’s perspective. Having faced the possibility of never walking again after significant organ damage and emergency surgery to remove a blood clot, he now embraces life with renewed vigor. Once in an induced coma, Sarbjit has since made a remarkable recovery, defying doctors’ predictions by regaining mobility and even running an endurance race in 2023—the Wolf Run in Warwickshire.
“I now appreciate every breath, every heartbeat,” he shared. “Life feels heightened and amazing. I’ve witnessed both the vulnerability and astonishing resilience of the human body. This journey has made me feel empowered and grateful beyond words.”
His family describes his survival as a true miracle. Dr. Ghosh credits Sarbjit’s mental strength as a key element in his recovery, highlighting the father’s fortitude throughout this ordeal.
A spokesperson from Birmingham City Hospital praised the determination of the medical team, noting their tireless efforts to maintain oxygen to Sarbjit’s brain while utilizing innovative techniques to restart his heart. Dr. Mark Anderson, chief medical officer at Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals, extended well wishes for Sarbjit’s continued recovery.
Sarbjit Singh’s incredible story stands as a testament to medical innovation, human resilience, and the priceless value of life.