STONINGTON — A longtime advocate for putting automated external defibrillators in places where people congregate, Julie Reed knew it was only a matter of time before one of the hand-held devices would save someone’s life.

That time came last Thursday, July 31, when an 83-year-old visiting yachtsman suffered a heart attack aboard his yacht at Billings Diesel & Marine in Stonington.

The man’s heart had stopped beating and for all intents and purposes, he was dead, said Reed.

The condition could be treated, but only with a defibrillator, a device that administers an electrical shock to a stopped heart.

Fortunately, Harlan Billings is one of a growing number of business owners in Hancock County who have bought automated external defibrillators or AEDs for their businesses.

Jim Foley, an employee at Billings and an assistant fire chief in Deer Isle who has completed AED training, grabbed the device and administered first aid.

“Six shocks later, and he was talking,” Reed said of the result Foley’s quick action with the AED had on the heart attack victim. “By the time the ambulance got there, he had a pulse and was coming around.”

Reed has been advocating for AEDs and training people to use the simple device for years. She continues that role with Memorial Ambulance of Deer Isle.

Reed said the incident in Stonington is a good reminder to businesses about the benefit of an AED. She said they can now be purchased for as little as $745, and organizations, such as Memorial Ambulance, will provide complete training to employees at no additional cost.