Where should an AED be located in a school?
A school AED should generally be placed in a highly visible, easily accessible location that allows responders to retrieve it quickly. A central hallway can be an excellent location because students, employees and visitors regularly pass it, but placement should always consider the school’s complete layout and emergency response needs.
Having an AED is important.
Being able to find it quickly is just as important.
Why Is School AED Placement So Important?
Cardiac arrest can occur suddenly and without warning.
Heart & Stroke estimates approximately 60,000 cardiac arrests occur outside hospitals in Canada every year, or about one every nine minutes. CPR combined with the use of an AED can double a person’s chance of survival.
When an emergency happens, no one should be searching through offices trying to remember where the AED was stored.
Visibility matters.
Accessibility matters.
Familiarity matters.
Is a School Hallway a Good Place for an AED?
In many schools, yes.
A central hallway can provide several advantages.
High Visibility
Hundreds of people may pass the AED every day.
Regular visibility helps students and staff become familiar with its location before an emergency occurs.
Easy Access
A hallway AED can often be reached without entering a staff-only office or locked room.
Central Location
Main hallways frequently connect classrooms, administrative areas, cafeterias, libraries and gymnasiums.
Easy-to-See Signage
Three-dimensional AED signs can help people identify the location while approaching from either direction.
The goal is simple:
Someone who has never been inside your school before should still have a reasonable chance of quickly finding the AED.
Why Consider the ZOLL AED 3?
The ZOLL AED 3 is designed to guide a responder through a sudden cardiac arrest emergency.
AEDShop currently offers the ZOLL AED 3 with Real CPR Help technology, providing real-time audio and visual guidance related to chest compressions.
For schools, several features stand out.
CPR Guidance
The ZOLL AED 3 provides feedback during CPR, giving rescuers additional guidance during what can be an extremely stressful situation.
Adult and Pediatric Capability
Schools serve children, teenagers and adults.
ZOLL CPR Uni-padz are designed to support adult and pediatric response when the device is operated according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Easy-to-Follow Instructions
The combination of visual and spoken prompts helps guide rescuers through the emergency.
Where Shouldn’t an AED Be Located?
Avoid locations that could create unnecessary barriers.
Examples may include:
• Inside a locked office
• In a drawer
• In a storage room
• Behind a reception counter
• In an unmarked cabinet
• In an area unavailable after normal school hours
An AED can technically be inside the building but still be difficult to access.
That’s particularly important when schools host evening and weekend programs.
Think About After-Hours School Activities
Schools often remain active long after students leave at 3:00 p.m.
Your building may host:
• Basketball games
• Volleyball tournaments
• Parent-teacher meetings
• School dances
• Concerts
• Theatre performances
• Community groups
• Elections
• Recreation programs
• Weekend tournaments
Is your AED accessible during those events?
If the answer is no, consider whether your current placement is appropriate.
How Many AEDs Should a School Have?
There is no single answer for every school.
The number should reflect the school’s size, layout and use.
A large high school might include:
• Several floors
• Multiple wings
• Two gymnasiums
• A cafeteria
• An auditorium
• Outdoor sports fields
• Technical classrooms
• Portable classrooms
One centrally located AED may not provide the same accessibility throughout a large campus.
Walk the property and assess realistic retrieval distances.
Make the AED Easy to Recognize
Visibility can be improved with appropriate:
• AED cabinets
• Wall signs
• Directional signs
• Window decals
• Location markings
AEDShop offers complete AED packages that can include cabinets and signage, helping schools create a more visible emergency station rather than simply placing a loose AED on a shelf.
The AEDShop ZOLL AED 3 complete package is currently listed with the AED and supporting equipment intended for organized placement.
What Should Schools Check Every September?
An AED should never become “install it and forget it” equipment.
Include the AED in your annual back-to-school safety inspection.
Check:
• Is it still in the correct location?
• Does the readiness indicator show the appropriate status?
• Are the electrode pads current?
• Is the battery within its recommended service period?
• Is the cabinet functioning correctly?
• Are all emergency accessories present?
• Is the signage visible?
• Do staff know its location?
Health Canada advises AED owners to perform regular checks and follow the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance and testing schedule.
Should Teachers and Staff Receive CPR/AED Training?
Training is strongly recommended.
An AED provides instructions during use, but CPR/AED education gives staff a better understanding of:
• How to recognize cardiac arrest
• When to call 9-1-1
• How to begin CPR
• How to use an AED
• How to work together during an emergency
Heart & Stroke offers CPR and AED educational programs designed to build the practical skills needed to respond to cardiac arrest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the best place to put an AED in a school?
A highly visible and easily accessible central location is often appropriate. Hallways can work well, but schools should evaluate the complete building and property.
Should an AED be near the school office?
It can be, provided it remains clearly visible and readily accessible. An AED should not become unavailable because an office is locked.
Can anyone use a school AED?
AEDs are designed to guide rescuers with instructions during an emergency. CPR/AED training is still strongly encouraged.
How do I know if an AED is ready?
Most modern AEDs provide a visual status indicator. The AED should also be inspected and maintained according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Does an AED need a cabinet?
An AED cabinet can provide a designated, visible storage location and can help make the device easier to recognize. Select a cabinet appropriate for the intended environment.
One Simple Back-to-School Test
Try this exercise before school starts.
Ask an employee who doesn’t normally manage the AED:
“Where is our AED?”
If they immediately know, that’s encouraging.
If they hesitate, start looking around or say, “I think it’s somewhere near the office,” you have identified an opportunity to improve awareness.
AED preparedness starts before the emergency.
Find the Right AED for Your School
AEDShop provides Health Canada-authorized AED options from leading manufacturers for schools, workplaces, recreation facilities, homes and public spaces.