State Requirements for Automated External Defibrillators in American Schools: Framing the Debate About Legislative Action

Abstract

Installation of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in schools has been associated with increased survival after sudden cardiac arrest. An authoritative academic research database was interrogated to identify all current state statutes pertaining to AEDs in schools. As of February 2016, 17 of 50 U.S. states (34%) require AED installation in at least some of their schools; the remaining states have no legislation. However, requirements are far from comprehensive in these 17 states. Only 5 states offer unequivocal funding to schools for purchasing AEDs. A minority of U.S. states have legislation requiring AED placement in schools, and even fewer provide funding. State legislatures that have not yet enacted legislation requiring AEDs in schools may look to neighboring states for examples of child and adult lifesaving law. Placement of an AED in schools should be implemented with an emergency response plan that trains staff in the recognition and response to cardiac arrest.

Keywords: athletes; cardiopulmonary resuscitation; sudden cardiac arrest; ventricular fibrillation.