What’s the Best Sound in the World?
On a quiet Sunday morning, Doug Henderson’s life changed in an instant. What began as an ordinary day quickly spiraled into a fight for survival.
“I started feeling just… off,” Doug recalled. Within minutes, he was drenched in sweat, dizzy, and numb. “That’s when I realized I had a problem. Normally, I’d wait things out, but there was absolutely no doubt. I needed help.”
Doug’s instincts kicked in. He unlocked his front door so the first responders could reach him, then crawled across the floor to call 911. Despite his failing body, his mind focused on survival. “The greatest sound on the face of the earth when you need help,” he said, “is hearing those sirens get closer.”
When Doug dialed 911, he was quickly connected to dispatcher Jen B., who immediately recognized that Doug was experiencing a serious cardiac event. Within seconds, she dispatched the paramedics and began guiding him through steps to stay alive, like elevating his legs to keep the blood flowing to his brain while assuring him that help was on the way. “She recognized what was happening to me within the first 10 seconds,” said Doug. “That’s incredible.”
Seattle firefighters arrived first, followed by Medic One paramedics Amelia and David, who immediately identified the crisis: a widow-maker heart attack, one of the deadliest kinds. Without intervention, Doug had only 90 minutes to live.
I’m six-one, 180 pounds, I exercise, I eat healthy. I never thought I was a heart attack risk,” he said. But prolonged workplace stress had silently damaged his arteries, leading to a complete blockage of the LAD.
The paramedics’ training and speed made all the difference. They diagnosed his condition on the spot, rushed him across town to the hospital and ensured he received emergency surgery in time. Doug survived the staggering odds.
Looking back, his gratitude is boundless. “If I had been anywhere else, I probably wouldn’t be here. The speed, the quick diagnosis, the professionalism, it was an absolute lifesaving machine.”
Doug has since carried his story into every corner of his life, sharing it as both a warning and a testimony to the pre-hospital care in our community. At work, he advocates for balance: “Stress isn’t just bad, it can literally kill you– don’t let it get that far.” Doug speaks directly to the value of our EMS system, “Every time a paramedic rolls on a call, they’re arriving on what is likely the worst day of someone’s life. For me, their siren was the best sound in the world. It meant I wasn’t going to die alone on my living room floor.”
His biggest takeaway is clear: training and speed save lives. “Medic One’s advanced training is what puts them at the top. Without it, I wouldn’t be here. That’s why supporting the Medic One Foundation matters; it’s not just giving, it’s investing in the help you or a loved one might need one day.”
Watch Doug’s full story here.
