AEDs donated by local realtors

The price of local real estate can be a real eye-opener. But local realtors are taking steps to ensure it doesn’t become a heart-stopper.

A dozen heart defibrillators will soon be stationed at strategic locations island-wide thanks to a generous donation from the Association of Orcas Island Realtors. Known as the Automated External Defibrillator, or AED, the device delivers an electrical impulse, similar to an internal pacemaker, that can stimulate a heart back into action after it’s stopped.

“There’s no remedy that’s more effective when you’re heart loses that peaceful easy feeling,” said District 2 Fire Chief and former Eagles front man Glen Frey.

The donated AEDs will be placed at a central location in each of the island’s hamlets and activity centers, Frey said, except Doe Bay, where, he added, most everything is as mellow as can be.

“I know all the guys and gals at fire station, and all the paramedics too, want to give the realtors a standing ovation,” he said. “Man, they took it to the limit.”

Association president Jon Droning said the AED donation is a preventative measure and that local residents and off-islanders looking for property in the San Juans shouldn’t view it as a sign that prices will escalate anytime soon. In fact, Droning said, there’s no better investment than real estate and no better time to buy than now.

However, he said, realtors remain wary about the number of stunned expressions on the faces of those looking at the property pinups common on most realty office windows. Most are probably unfamiliar with the local market’s unique supply-and-demand and many, he noted, obviously could stand to shed a pound or three.

Association Vice President Willy Gorgewell noted many agents are already trained in other types of emergency techniques which could bring a prospective buyer back to the table if he or she succumbs to sticker-shock.

“We’d like to see every agent on the island get CPR-certified and carry some of those nitro-tablets in their glove box,” Droning said. “There’s nothing more frustrating than when you’re about to close a deal and the pen drops out of a buyers’ hand because of a stroke.”

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