Automated External Defibrillator Provision and Readiness Guidance

This guidance is for maintained and academy schools in England that are considering or providing an automated external defibrillator (AED) as part of their first-aid equipment. It is optional and applies only where the school is considering or providing an AED.

Considering provision

Schools are encouraged to purchase an AED as part of their first-aid equipment. A school considering provision should make its decision in light of local first-aid needs, its risk assessment and available resources.

The school's decision is: [aed provision decision]. Where an AED is purchased or otherwise provided, the responsible person is [aed responsible person].

Location and accessibility

Where an AED is provided, the school should identify its location and how it can be accessed. The AED location is [aed location], and the access arrangements are [aed access arrangements].

The school should communicate the location and access arrangements through its first-aid arrangements so that relevant staff know where the AED is kept and how it can be accessed.

Readiness

Where an AED is provided, the school should include its readiness within the school's first-aid arrangements. The school's readiness-check arrangement is [aed readiness check arrangement].

The school should record any action needed when the AED is not ready for use and identify who is responsible for addressing it: [aed readiness action owner].

Staff awareness

The school should decide which staff need awareness of the AED's location, access arrangements and relationship to the school's first-aid arrangements. The relevant staff group is [aed staff awareness group].

Where awareness or training is provided, the school's arrangement is [aed awareness or training arrangement].

Integration with first-aid arrangements

An AED provided by the school should be considered alongside the school's existing first-aid arrangements. The AED's place within those arrangements is [aed first aid integration].

This guidance does not require a school to purchase or provide an AED. It supports a school's decision where local first-aid needs, risk assessment and resources are being considered.