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#2315

SUSQUEHANNA TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17109

AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR POLICY

Susquehanna Township School District has installed automated external defibrillators in all district school buildings to assist those on school property requiring immediate medical intervention related to cardiac episodes. An automated external defibrillator (AED) is used to treat victims in the first critical moments after sudden cardiac arrest. It is only to be applied to victims who are unconscious, without a pulse and not breathing. The AED will analyze the heart rhythm and advise the operator if a shockable rhythm is detected. If a shockable rhythm is detected, the AED will charge to the appropriate energy level and advise the operator to deliver a shock. 

The AED may be used by any volunteer responder who has successfully completed approved CPR and AED training program within the last two years and has a current course completion card. The extent to which individuals respond shall be appropriate to their training and experience. Responders are encouraged to contribute to emergency response only to the extent that they are comfortable. The emergency medical response may include CPR, AED or medical first aid. School employees who render care with an automated external defibrillator are protected under the provisions of 42 Pa. C. S. 8331.2 relating to Good Samaritan civil immunity for use of automated external defibrillators.

Except as otherwise provided in this section of the Good Samaritan Act, any individual who is trained to use an automated external defibrillator in accordance with subsection (b) and who in good faith uses an AED in an emergency shall not be liable for any civil damages as a result of any acts or omissions by such individual in using the AED, except any acts or omissions intentionally designed to harm or any grossly negligent acts or omissions which result in harm to the individual receiving the AED treatment.

(a)          Requirements – Any person who acquires and maintains an AED for use in accordance with this section shall not be liable for civil damages provided that the person:

1.    Ensures that expected AED users receive training in accordance with subsection (b).

2.    Maintains and tests the AED according to the manufacturer’s operational guidelines. 

3.    Provides instruction requiring the user of the AED to utilize available means to immediately contact and activate the emergency medical services system.

4.    Assures that any appropriate data or information is made available to emergency medical services personnel or other health care providers as requested.

(b)          Training – For purposes of this section, expected AED users shall complete training in the use of an AED provided by the American National Red Cross or the American Heart Association or through an equivalent course of instruction approved by the Department of Health in consultation with a technical committee of the Pennsylvania Emergency Health Services Council.

(c)          Obstruction of emergency medical services personnel – Nothing in this section shall relieve a person who uses an AED from civil damages when that person obstructs or interferes with care and treatment being provided by emergency medical services personnel or a health professional.

(d)          Exception – Any individual who lacks the training set forth herein but who has access to an AED and in good faith uses an AED in an emergency as an ordinary, reasonably prudent individual would do under the same or similar circumstances shall receive immunity from civil damages as set forth above.