Cool heads in a moment of crisis prevailed at the Ocean Pines Yacht Club Sunday, as bartender Rob Ruszin and manager Judie Scotti saved the life of a heart attack victim by deploying a defibrillator and administering CPR.

To hear them tell it, they weren’t that calm when they discovered a customer on the floor and not breathing that afternoon, but their swift actions and focus on the moment suggest that any nerves they might have felt were banished by their understanding that a man’s life was in their hands.

They did what they had to do without hesitation in exceptionally stressful circumstances, proving that people can be capable of extraordinary acts even though they might not know it beforehand.

Just as vital as Ruszin’s and Scotti’s immediate response was in their lifesaving effort, equally critical was the availability of an automated external defibrillator (AED), without which this story would not have ended well.

As Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department Chief Steve Grunewald emphasized, having AEDs conveniently located in public buildings can mean the difference between life and death.

Fortunately, the Ocean Pines Association administration understands that and last year obtained defibrillators for all its facilities. This equipment is not inexpensive and buying enough to outfit multiple locations costs thousands of dollars.

Still, as was demonstrated last Sunday, that’s a small price to pay when someone’s life is at stake.

We applaud the administration for recognizing the need for AEDs and implementing that policy. We also offer the highest praise to the club staffers, Ruszin and Scotti, for knowing what to do in this emergency and doing it efficiently and without hesitation.

Equipment can be purchased, but having the right people at the right time with the right equipment is, as they say, priceless.