AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR

AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR

ap8452Adopted April 12, 2005Revised January 7, 2026

8452 - AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR

These guidelines govern the placement and use of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), maintenance and testing of AEDs, and training. An AED is a medical device designed to analyze the heart rhythm and deliver an electric shock to victims of ventricular fibrillation to restore the heart rhythm to normal. Ventricular fibrillation is the uncoordinated heart rhythm most often responsible for sudden cardiac arrest. Sudden cardiac arrest occurs when ventricular fibrillation takes place or when the heart stops beating altogether. Without medical attention, the victim collapses, loses consciousness, becomes unresponsive, and dies. Many victims have no prior history of heart disease and are stricken without warning.

Any School District employee or volunteer using a School District AED is subject to the immunities established in Florida law.

AED Safety Coordinator

A school based administrator or designee will perform the duties of AED "Safety Coordinator".

Placement

Each public school that is a member of the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) is required by Florida law to have an operational AED on school grounds. The location of all AEDs on school grounds must be registered with a local emergency medical services medical director.

Each building principal must identify a location for the storage of any AED assigned to the school building. The location for storage of an AED should be made in consultation with the Safety Coordinator and must be a location which is obviously visible to expected users in the event of an emergency and which is accessible outside of normal school hours. Upon installation, the Safety Coordinator must notify all area emergency medical services of the locations of all AEDs. Further guidelines for the placement of AEDs are set forth below.

If an AED is made available for use outside of regular school hours at a site other than a normal fixed location, such as at an athletic contest, then the AED may be transported by any expected user to such a location. The individual responsible for transport must inform all other expected users regarding the location of the transported AED upon arrival.
When placing AEDs on school grounds, the building principal and Safety Coordinator should consider placing AEDs to the extent practicable:

  1. in convenient areas where they can be accessed in the event of an emergency within three (3) to five (5) minutes;

    Response time should be calculated based upon how long it will take for a lay responder or rescuer with an AED and walking at a rapid pace to reach a victim.

  2. where electric-powered devices are used;

  3. near athletic fields, stadiums, arenas, and practice locations;

  4. near the cafeteria and gym;

  5. in a secure location that prevents or minimizes the potential for tampering, theft, and/or misuse and precludes access by unauthorized users;

  6. in an easily accessible position (e.g., placed at a height so those shorter individuals can reach and remove, unobstructed access);

  7. in a location that is well marked, publicized, and known among trained staff;

    Periodic "tours" of locations are recommended.

  8. near a telephone that can be used to call backup, security, or 911.

It is recommended that additional items necessary for a successful rescue be placed in a bag and be stored with the AED. The following are items that may be necessary for successful utilization of the AED:

  1. simplified directions for CPR and use of the AED;

  2. non-latex protective gloves;

  3. appropriate sizes of CPR face masks with detachable mouthpieces, plastic or silicone face shields, one-way valves, or other type of barrier device that can be used in mouth to mouth resuscitation;

  4. pair of medium sized bandages;

  5. spare battery and electrode pads;
     

  6. two (2) biohazard or medical waste plastic bags;

  7. pad of paper and pen for writing; and

  8. absorbent towel.

No later than July 1, 2027, each public school, including charter schools, must have at least one (1) operational AED on school grounds. The defibrillator must be available in a clearly marked and publicized location. Schools must maintain the defibrillator according to the manufacturer's recommendations and maintain all verification records for such defibrillators. Appropriate school staff must be trained in first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and defibrillator use. The location of each defibrillator must be registered with a local emergency medical services medical director.

PULSE Plan

Each public school shall develop a plan for urgent life-saving emergencies (PULSE) that addresses the appropriate use of school personnel to respond to incidents involving an individual experiencing sudden cardiac arrest or a similar life-threatening emergency while on school grounds. Each PULSE must integrate evidence-based core elements and consider those elements recommended by the American Heart Association for schools responding to cardiac emergencies. School officials shall work directly with local emergency service providers to integrate the PULSE into the community's emergency responder protocols.

Maintenance and Testing

All School District AEDs must be maintained and tested according to the manufacturer’s guidelines.

Training

All employees or volunteers who are reasonably expected to use an AED must obtain appropriate training, including completion of a course in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or a basic first aid course that includes CPR training, and demonstrated proficiency in the use of an automated external defibrillator. 

Procedures for Use During School Hours

  1. After assessing the symptoms described above, a responsible adult shall alert the main office either by calling the main office on any school phone or by sending a runner to the building principal. The responsible adult shall provide the main office with information regarding the location of the medical emergency, the symptoms of the individual, and detailing any safety issues related to the scene.

  2. The principal or a designee shall immediately contact emergency medical services by calling 911 and shall contact and dispatch a trained expected AED user from the school building to the location of the emergency.

  3. The principal or designee shall retrieve the AED for delivery to the scene.

  4. Upon arrival, the trained expected AED user must assess the symptoms of the person and assess whether the person meets the criteria for use of the AED.

  5. The trained expected AED user should administer CPR or the AED in accordance with training until arrival of emergency medical services personnel.

  6. The trained expected AED user, in consultation with the building principal, must complete a School District incident report, including the names of the responding emergency medical services personnel and any relevant facts relating to the incident. The incident report will be retained in the files of the School District.

  7. After use, the AED should remain off unless needed for an additional emergency.

Procedures for Use Outside of Regular School Hours

  1. After assessing the symptoms described above, a responsible adult shall alert a trained AED user, including any member of a coaching staff or the Safety Coordinator. The responsible adult shall provide the trained expected AED user with information regarding the location of the medical emergency, the symptoms of the individual and detailing any safety issues related to the scene.

  2. The trained expected AED user shall immediately designate another responsible individual to contact emergency medical services by calling 911 and shall immediately respond to the location of the emergency.

  3. The trained expected AED user shall retrieve or designate another responsible individual to retrieve the AED for delivery to the scene.

  4. Upon arrival, the trained expected AED user must assess the symptoms of the person and assess whether the person meets the criteria for use of the AE

  5. The trained expected AED user should administer CPR or the AED in accordance with training until arrival of emergency medical services personnel.

  6. The trained expected AED user, in consultation with the building principal, must complete a School District incident report, including the names of the responding emergency medical services personnel and any relevant facts related to the incident. The incident report will be retained in the files of the School District.

  7. After use, the AED should remain off unless needed for another emergency.

COLLECTION OF DATA FOLLOWING THE USE OF AN AED

Immediately following a medical emergency and the use of an AED, the trained AED user must report the details of the incident to the building principal and the Safety Coordinator. Thereafter, the Safety Coordinator will contact the prescribing medical practitioner for the purpose of conducting a case review.

PROCEDURES FOLLOWING A CRITICAL EVENT

Following an incident involving the use of an AED, the Safety Coordinator will convene an informal stress debriefing for all individuals involved in the incident.

Within a reasonable period of time after an incident involving the use of an AED, the Safety Coordinator must convene a meeting of all individuals involved in the incident to review the procedures as set forth herein and to make recommendations for any amendments to these procedures.

Revised 8/05
Revised 10/05
Revised 2/28/06
Revised 1/7/26

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