AEDs in Schools: Awareness of the need for automated external defibrillators in school systems is growing, with several states mandating the installation of AEDs in high schools. Oklahoma is one of the leaders in AED awareness, thanks to the efforts of Sen. Susan Paddack, who pushed for Oklahoma AED legislation in the memory of two young boys who died during sports events at schools. (Ask OK AED Expert Scott Foster for details.)

Luke Davis, 12, died on the basketball court

The Zachary Eckles and Luke Davis Automated External Defibrillators in Schools Act, passed in 2008, honors the memories of Zachary Eckles, who died in 2006 during a soccer practice and Luke Davis, 12, who collapsed during a basketball game in 2008. In both instances, no defibrillator was available.

The Oklahoma AED legislation requires that schools purchase AEDs if federal funds or private donations make the purchase possible. (Find out more about AED funding solutions for schools.)

The Mid-Del School District in Oklahoma made the decision last year to place Cardiac Science Powerheart G3 Plus Automatic AEDs in every school in their system. The 110 AEDs were allocated based on the size and layout of each school facility, with large high schools installing as many as nine of the devices. (Atlanta Schools just installed 195 AEDs.)

You’re The Cure Oklahoma, an American Heart Association advocacy blog, reports that this year the Putnam City School District has followed suit. The Putnam City School Board voted in April to purchase 78 AEDs usings MAPS for Kids funds. The AEDs will be placed in the district’s 27 schools, and will go on the road with teams and other groups going to off-campus events.

As part of the new AED program, the district has trained 10 staff members from each school. (The AEDs have voice prompts, enabling even an untrained adult to perform as rescue, but training is strongly encouraged to save valuable time during an emergency.)

Each year, more than 7,000 apparently healthy children and adolescents in the U.S.. die from sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). A shock from a defibrillator is the only known treatment. By using CPR to prolong circulation, and making AEDs easily accessible, many victims can be saved in the critical first few minutes after SCA occurs.

Related Products

• Powerheart AED G3 Plus
• Powerheart AED G3 Fully Automatic and Semi-automatic
• Powerheart AED G3 Pro
• Powerheart AED G3 Trainer
• AED Program Management

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