Every school should implement an emergency medical plan which includes an AED program. Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is very devastating, especially when a death could have been prevented. It is important for all school staff to know: how to recognize a sudden cardiac arrest, that time is critical, who the first responders are, that there is an AED, where the AED is, and enough about the emergency plan to know how to initiate it if they ever witness an unresponsive victim.

What the SADS Foundation Recommends:

• Every child should have a risk assessment history at regular intervals: preschool, before/during middle school, before/during high school and before participation in organized sports.
  
• Every school should have a medical emergency response plan in place which includes a plan for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). An automated external defibrillator (AED) in schools is vital. The plan will lead to children getting the help they need immediately after injuries, breathing difficulties, seizures, or sudden cardiac arrest.
  
• All high school students should be trained in CPR and AED as a requirement for graduation.
  
• Everyone should be aware of the warning signs that may indicate someone is at risk for a sudden cardiac arrest:
• A family history of unexplained, sudden death in a young person (under age 40)-including drowning suddenly
• Fainting (syncope) or seizure during exercise, excitement, or following a startle
• Consistent or unusual chest pain and/or shortness of breath during exercise

Medical Emergency Plan Fact Sheet

Sample Plan 1 (Word file)

Sample Plan 2 (Word file)

SADS AED Policy Statement

Project A.D.A.M. -AEDs in schools project with lots of useful information for your school. http://www.chw.org/display/PPF/DocID/26050/router.asp

Project S.A.V.E. -(Sudden Cardiac Death: Awareness, Vision for Prevention and Education) is a consultation program provided by Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, for schools in Georgia. http://www.choa.org/default.aspx?id=2871

AED Information-American Heart Association - this includes a sample plan for your school.

AEDs Approved by the FDA with links to the company that manufactures them

Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association

Kimberly Anne Gillary Foundation: has the mission to place an AED in every Michigan high school and to advocate cardiac screening & testing of all high school student athletes.

Chain of Survival-American Heart Association -what to do to save lives (including CPR)

Funding Resources: Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation. http://sca-aware.org/finding-funding.php

Kids Defib- a registry of AED use in children

Phillips HeartStart Home Defibrillator--Its the first and only AED available without a prescription. Infant/Child pads are available with a prescription.

Cardiac Rescue Systems

Call Cardiac Rescue Systems Inc. at (630) 541-5469 or email bcattfway@aol.com for a special AED pricing program exclusively for SADS members. Special pricing available for medical oversight, event evaluation, and web tracker maintenance program. Regular price is $150.00 per year but is offered to sads members at just $25.00 per year courtesy of Defibtech MD, purchase through Cardiac Rescue Systems Inc.

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