How to Implement an AED Program in Schools: A Comprehensive Guide
Every year, thousands of children have fatal results from suffering sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) while at school. However, many of these deaths could be prevented with an automated external defibrillator (AED) on school premises. If your school system does not have an AED program in place, this guide will walk through the simple steps for implementing an AED program in your school.
What is an Emergency Action Plan (EAP)?
Preparedness always starts with an Emergency Action Plan (EAP). An EAP identifies possible situations that may occur and develops a well-thought-out written plan that includes training and regularly scheduled drills to ensure efficiency. An EAP also includes supplies and equipment to execute the method precisely.
AEDs are one of the tools of an effective EAP and should be available within 2 minutes of brisk walking from anywhere on a school campus to the medical emergency scene.
Planning an AED Program in Schools
Before implementing an AED program, consider the legal requirements for AEDs in schools to have AEDs & Bleeding Control Kits. Read “Is it Required for My School to Have AEDs & Bleeding Control Kits?” to learn more. Forming a team to develop and implement the program is the next step. Each team member may be in charge of different maintenance and inspection tasks.
Your team will want to set up program goals and objectives regarding who will manage what and develop a budget around the upkeep of the AED maintenance.
Selecting and Placing AEDs in Schools
When selecting AEDs for schools, it is crucial to consider the features and types of AEDs available. For example, if there is an AED that will be used in your gymnasium or taken to outdoor sporting events, it may be worth looking for an AED that is lightweight and has an ingress protection (IG) of 55 or higher, which means it is more resistant to water and dust. Read our AED Buyer’s Guide to determine which AED features would be best for you.
When identifying a suitable location for your AED, consider the following:
Is the AED in a high-traffic area? (Lobby, gymnasium, main hallway)
Is the AED visible to everyone? (Wall signage or window decals)
Are there any obstacles blocking the AED from being accessed?
Is the AED installed in an easily accessible cabinet?
Does that cabinet have an alarm that will siren to notify the AED is being accessed?
Ensuring proper installation is vital to quickly locating an AED and promptly taking to an emergency. Your EAP should provide teachers, students, and staff members with a walk-through trial of the course of action expected when an emergency arrives. This plan will give everyone the confidence they need when emergencies arise.
Training and Educating Staff and Students
Training should be provided to staff who would likely be present during an emergency, including teachers, principals, coaches, and school nurses. Adult, Child, and Infant CPR/AED/First Aid training courses can help staff learn how to respond during a medical emergency for adults, children, and infants. It is also essential to conduct regular refresher training sessions to ensure that staff members are up-to-date with their knowledge and skills year after year.
In addition to staff members, students should also be educated about SCA and AEDs. Education on Adult, Child, and Infant CPR/AED training courses can help students understand the importance of recognizing signs of SCA, acting quickly using CPR techniques and an AED for assistance, and calling for help in an emergency. A CPR/AED course can be incorporated into health and physical education classes or as part of a school-wide safety program. Encouraging students to take responsibility for their safety can create a culture of preparedness and security in the school community.
Conducting regular drills and exercises is an essential aspect of training and education. Drills can simulate an emergency and allow staff and students to practice their responses, which can help identify areas for improvement and ensure that everyone knows what to do in a real emergency.
Maintaining an AED Program in Schools
Developing a maintenance plan for AEDs, ensuring regular inspection and testing of AEDs, and developing a replacement plan for expired or malfunctioning AEDs are all critical steps for maintaining an AED program in schools. When forming your AED program, you should have assigned individual staff members in charge of different maintenance aspects.
Some of this upkeep includes:
Disinfecting your AED
Keeping Track of Expiration Dates of Pads and Batteries on each device
Researching state laws and requirements around AEDs (as these are constantly changing)
If your school has multiple AED-equipped campuses, an AED Management Program like Arch may be worth investing in. Arch Medical Direction and AED Management is a web-based tool designed to streamline AED ownership and assist with compliance.
Evaluating the Effectiveness of an AED Program in Schools
You can measure the impact of your AED program by analyzing every aspect during the rescue process, including asking questions that answer:
Was the rescuer able to identify SCA signs?
Did emergency medical services get called right away?
Was the AED able to be accessed and taken to the victim within 3-4 minutes?
What was the outcome of the rescue process?
Answering these questions can help you identify areas for improvement and make the necessary changes to create the most effective AED program for your school.
If you would like to learn more about starting an AED Program in your school, contact Heartsmart at support@heartsmart.com or fill out this form.