Back-to-school preparation usually focuses on classrooms, supplies, schedules and sports equipment. But there is another important safety question every school should consider:
How quickly could an AED reach your football field, soccer pitch, running track or outdoor recreational area during a cardiac emergency?
An AED for school sports should be easy to find, easy to retrieve and appropriately located for the areas where students, employees, families and community members gather. For larger school properties, an AED located deep inside the main building may not provide the same level of access to an outdoor athletic field.
That is why AED placement deserves to be part of every school’s back-to-school safety review.
What Is an AED and Why Is It Important at a School?
An automated external defibrillator, or AED, is a portable medical device designed to analyze a person’s heart rhythm during suspected sudden cardiac arrest and, when appropriate, deliver a shock.
Sudden cardiac arrest can happen to people of different ages and often occurs without warning.
Heart & Stroke reports that approximately 60,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in Canada each year—about one every nine minutes. The organization also states that performing CPR and using an AED can double a person’s chance of survival.
That makes quick action critical.
If someone suddenly collapses, is unresponsive and is not breathing normally:
1. Call 9-1-1.
2. Begin CPR.
3. Send someone to retrieve the nearest AED.
4. Turn on the AED and follow its instructions.
5. Continue following the AED and emergency dispatcher’s directions until emergency medical services take over.
Why Should Athletic Fields Be Included in AED Planning?
A school may already have an AED mounted near its main office or gymnasium.
That’s an excellent starting point.
But consider where a cardiac emergency could happen during football practice, soccer, track and field, a community tournament or an evening sporting event.
If the nearest AED requires someone to run across the property, enter the school, locate the device and then return to the field, valuable time can be lost.
Schools should therefore think beyond the simple question:
“Does our school have an AED?”
A better question is:
“How quickly can our AED reach someone anywhere on our property?”
Who Uses a School Athletic Field?
Athletic facilities aren’t used only by students.
Throughout the year, they may be occupied by:
• Student-athletes
• Coaches
• Teachers
• Referees and officials
• Parents
• Grandparents
• Volunteers
• Visiting teams
• Spectators
• Community sports organizations
• School employees
Many school fields are also active during evenings, weekends and summer months.
Your AED plan should take all of these users into consideration.
Why Consider the ZOLL AED 3 for a School?
The ZOLL AED 3 combines clear rescue guidance with technology designed to help responders provide effective CPR.
One of its most useful features is Real CPR Help, which provides real-time audio and visual feedback on CPR compressions. AEDShop currently offers the ZOLL AED 3 as part of its Canadian AED lineup.
For a school environment, several characteristics are worth considering.
Real-Time CPR Feedback
CPR is an essential part of responding to cardiac arrest.
The ZOLL AED 3 provides feedback to help guide the responder while chest compressions are being performed.
Adult and Child Capability
The ZOLL AED 3 CPR Uni-padz can be used for both adult and pediatric patients when the AED is operated according to the manufacturer’s instructions. AEDShop’s current ZOLL AED 3 replacement package identifies its CPR Uni-padz III as designed for both adult and pediatric patients.
This can simplify supply management in environments such as schools where both children and adults are present.
Clear Visual and Audio Instructions
During an emergency, simple guidance matters.
The AED provides on-screen and spoken instructions designed to guide the responder through the rescue process.
Where Should a School Sports AED Be Located?
There isn’t one perfect location for every school.
Instead, examine how your property is actually used.
Consider:
• Distance from the main school building
• Location of football and soccer fields
• Running tracks
• Tennis courts
• Outdoor basketball courts
• Community-use areas
• Evening and weekend access
• Locked entrances
• Visibility of AED signage
• Environmental conditions
One useful exercise is to physically walk from the centre of your athletic field to the nearest AED and back.
Don’t just measure distance.
Consider whether doors could be locked or whether a visitor would know exactly where to go.
Can You Leave an AED Outside?
Not without proper planning.
Canadian temperatures can range from significant summer heat to extreme winter cold.
AEDs, batteries and electrode pads have manufacturer-specified environmental and storage requirements.
Health Canada advises owners to follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding the storage and maintenance of AEDs.
If your goal is to make an AED permanently accessible outdoors, speak with an AED specialist about an appropriate outdoor cabinet designed for the environment.
Should a School Have More Than One AED?
Possibly.
A small single-storey elementary school has different requirements from a large secondary school with multiple floors, gymnasiums, an auditorium and several athletic fields.
Instead of using a simple “one AED per school” approach, consider the physical layout of the property.
Ask:
• How far is the gym from the AED?
• How far is the athletic field?
• Is there an auditorium?
• Are there multiple floors?
• Is the building used after hours?
• Could an AED become inaccessible behind a locked door?
The goal should be practical emergency access.
Don’t Forget AED Maintenance
Installing the AED is only the beginning.
AED pads and batteries need to be monitored and replaced according to manufacturer instructions.
Health Canada recommends checking AEDs regularly, paying attention to the device status indicator and maintaining components such as batteries, electrode pads and accessories.
At the beginning of each school year, confirm:
• The AED is in its assigned location.
• The AED indicates it is ready.
• Pads are within their applicable replacement date.
• The battery is within its recommended service period.
• Emergency accessories are present.
• Signage is clearly visible.
• Staff know where the AED is located.
Frequently Asked Questions About AEDs at School Sports Fields
Should schools have an AED near football fields?
Schools should assess how quickly an AED can reach their athletic fields. Larger properties or facilities used extensively outside normal school hours may require additional AED coverage.
Can students use an AED?
AEDs are designed to provide step-by-step instructions to rescuers. CPR/AED training is strongly recommended so students and staff can respond more confidently and effectively during an emergency.
Can the ZOLL AED 3 be used on children?
The ZOLL AED 3 includes pediatric capability when used with the appropriate settings and accessories according to the manufacturer’s directions.
Does an AED shock everyone?
No. An AED analyzes the patient’s heart rhythm and determines whether a shock is appropriate.
Does a school AED need maintenance?
Yes. AEDs require ongoing readiness checks, and pads and batteries must be monitored and replaced according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Make AED Access Part of Your Back-to-School Plan
A school AED shouldn’t simply be something hanging on a wall.
It should be part of a complete emergency response plan.
This fall, walk your school property and identify how quickly someone could retrieve an AED from the classroom, gym, auditorium—and especially your outdoor athletic fields.
A few minutes spent reviewing AED placement today can help your school be better prepared for an unexpected cardiac emergency.
Shop the ZOLL AED 3 in Canada
AEDShop makes it easy for Canadian schools, coaches and organizations to purchase AEDs, cabinets, replacement pads, batteries and accessories in one place.
Visit the AEDShop AED Buyer’s Guide
Authoritative Canadian Resources
Health Canada – Automated External Defibrillators
Heart & Stroke – Learn About AEDs