Cardiac and Emergency Management
Over 2,000 healthy young people under the age of 25 die every year due to sudden cardiac arrest in the United States. Sudden cardiac arrest is a "life-threatening emergency that happens from an abrupt and unexpected loss of heart function leading to loss of consciousness and collapse."
SB 1453 passed in the 2023 General Assembly session requires each local school board to develop a plan for the placement, care, and use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) in every public elementary and secondary school in the local school division.
School divisions are encouraged to develop and maintain a Cardiac Emergency Response Plan and identify staff members who can serve on a Cardiac Response Team. Schools should periodically run practice drills throughout the school year, similar to fire drills, to enact the plan and ensure the team is ready to effectively respond in the event of an emergency. In addition, school divisions should:
- Ensure AEDs are available during all sporting events (including on the field during training and practice).
- Ensure availability of AEDs during other extra-curricular and after school activities such as cheer and band practice.
- Ensure availability of AEDs during field day activities.
- Increase AED availability and accessibility within the school setting; work with community-based partners and stakeholders to acquire additional AEDs.
- Engage in regular AED Maintenance.
Resources
Virginia Department of Education Resources
- Guidelines for Sudden Cardiac Arrest in Student Athletes
- Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in Public Schools - Potential Funding Sources
- Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) Guidelines for Schools (PDF)
Implementing Cardiac Emergency Response Plans
- Virginia School Crisis, Emergency Management and Medical Emergency Response Plan
- American Heart Association Cardiac Emergency Response Plan
- Project Adam
- Running Effective AED Drills-Essential Part of Emergency Plan
- National Athletic Trainer's Association Position Statement: Emergency Action Plan Development and Implementation in Sport
The Importance of AEDS in the School Setting
- Establishing an AED Program for Your School
- Knowing Your ABCs About AEDs Could Save a Life
- Preparing for Sudden Cardiac Arrest in Schools: The Essential Role of CPR & AEDs
- Gwyneth's Gift