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Do you need to have an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) at school in the state of California? The answer depends. When is an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) required at a California K-12 School District or Charter School? This article will help you determine if an AED and AED training is required.
Defibrillator Law for California School Districts and Charter Schools
Since 2019, each California school district or charter school that offers an “interscholastic athletic program” is required by law to have at least one Automatic External Defibrillator. Charter schools must have an AED, and the school districts must have one AED for each school that participates in the program within the district’s jurisdiction. The school district or charter school must maintain and test the AED per guidelines set forth by the manufacturer, as well as the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross. (California Education Code § 35179.6)
An “interscholastic athletic program” is defined as any athletic or sports activity, including drill team and cheerleading, in which the competition is between or among different schools. If a California kindergarten through 12th grade charter school or school district offers an athletic program with competition against other schools, an AED is required.
Which AED is Best for School and Athletic Programs?
AEDs come in all different shapes and sizes, but regardless they have one thing in common: they save lives. With over 30 years of experience, our team at Rescrue Training Institute is here to help you provide a top-tier first-response plan to your school by helping you decide the best AED model for your needs. We are an authorized distributor of a variety of the best AED brands, with expansive knowledge of each model. We encourage you to browse our online AED store for the equipment you need.
Maintaining and Testing your AED
To comply with the California Education Code, AEDs must be maintained and tested per guidelines set forth by the manufacturer, as well as the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross. Inspections are required quarterly per state law.
This process can be confusing, but it doesn’t have to be. We’re here to help you with the details of AED management. Maintaining and testing an AED is easy with our RescueManager™ AED program. We keep your AED in compliance by managing your inspections and reminders, AED tracking, monitoring expiration dates, FDA recall alerts and much more.
Learn more about the RescueManager™ program here.
AED Training Requirements for California K-12 Schools
When an AED is placed in a public or private K–12 school, the principal must ensure that school administrators and staff annually receive information that describes the proper use of an AED. Instructions on how to use the AED must be posted next to every AED in no less than size 14-point type font. Additionally, the principal must annually notify school employees as to the location of all AED units. (California Health and Safety Code § 1797.196)
Upcoming Regulatory Changes for AEDs in Youth Sport Organizations
Starting January 1st, 2027, all youth sports organizations must ensure that athletes have access to an automated external defibrillator (AED) during any official practice or match. The AED must be administered by an AED certified medical professional, coach, or other youth sports designated person. Any organization, business, nonprofit entity, or local government agency that sponsors or conducts amateur sports competitions, training, camps, or clubs in which people 17 years of age and younger participate must comply. (California Education Code § 124238)
An AED and AED certified medical professional, coach, or youth sports designated person must be present in any match or practice scheduled by the youth sports organization, coach, or other designee of the organization, as well as any sport session in which live action or one or more drills are conducted.
Training and Education
California Education Code requires certain training or education relating to health and safety, specifically CPR and AED use. The following are some of the laws that are currently in effect:
- As of 2018, if a school requires health education as a graduation requirement, instruction in performing compression-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is required. The school is also encouraged to provide students general information on the use and importance of an automated external defibrillator (AED). (California Education Code § 51225.6)
- If a school district or charter school hosts an event in or around a swimming pool, one adult with CPR training must be present during the event, even if it is not an athletic event. (California Education Code § 35179.6)
- High school coaches must have training and education on CPR and first aid (California Education Code § 35179.1)
- Each coach, administrator, and referee, umpire, or other game official of the youth sports organization is required to complete concussion, head injury, and sudden cardiac arrest prevention education either online or in person, before supervising an athlete in a youth sports activity. The youth sports organization must also give both a concussion, head injury and a sudden cardiac arrest information sheet to each athlete annually. The information sheet shall be signed and returned by the athlete and, if the athlete is 17 years of age or younger, shall also be signed by the athlete’s parent or guardian, before the athlete initiates practice or competition. (California Health and Safety Code § 124235).
All the information is covered in our basic first aid, CPR and AED class. To join one of our classes in Folsom, CA; please visit the classes page. To schedule a group class, contact us.