Automated External Defibrillator Use Information and Readiness Guidance

Scope and status

This guidance applies only where the school has chosen to provide an automated external defibrillator (AED) following its first-aid needs assessment. Health and safety legislation does not require a school to provide an AED.

Where an AED is provided, the school should maintain accessible information and written instructions on how to use it. The information should support the school’s first-aid arrangements without implying that the school is required to provide an AED.

Local arrangements

The AED provided by the school is identified as [aed asset identifier] and is located at [aed location]. The school’s first-aid arrangements identify [aed responsible role] as the role responsible for coordinating the availability of AED use information.

The school should make the AED information and written instructions available to relevant users through [aed information access method]. The information should be readily available at the AED location or through another method that relevant users can access when needed.

Operating information

The school should provide current manufacturer instructions for the AED, or other written operating instructions that explain how to use it. The instructions should remain with, or be readily accessible from, the AED.

Relevant users should be directed to follow the AED manufacturer’s instructions when using the device. Fuller training is likely to increase user confidence; it is also identified as an integral part of the syllabus for first aid at work and emergency first aid at work courses.

Connection with first-aid arrangements

The school should make the AED information available as part of its first-aid arrangements, including to relevant users identified through the school’s arrangements. The local point of contact for AED information is [aed first aid contact].

The school should ensure that relevant users know where the AED is located and how to access its written operating information. Any local communication or training arrangements should be recorded in the school’s first-aid arrangements.

Information and readiness

The school should retain the AED’s manufacturer instructions or written operating instructions with the school’s AED information. The AED asset is recorded in [aed asset register].

Where separate manufacturer requirements apply to maintenance or readiness, the school should follow those requirements and record the relevant readiness information in [aed readiness record].

Review

The school should review the AED information when the AED, its manufacturer instructions, its location, or the school’s first-aid arrangements change. The next local review is scheduled for [aed guidance review date].