A joke goes around about having moist palms and a dry mouth--as
opposed to the normal condition of dry palms and a less dry mouth. Nau-
sea and the sweats can accompany the near-death experience, as well as the
“shakes.” Very often people who survive—-often in no part due to their own
efforts—express disbelief or surprise. Cooper described it as a strong urge to
“change the channel.”