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Guidance

Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in schools

How schools can buy, install and maintain an automated external defibrillator.

Updates to this page

From:
Department for Education
Published:
26 November 2014
Last updated:
24 January 2025
Show all updates

  1. Replaced the 'Automated external defibrillators (AEDs): a guide for maintained schools and academies' guidance with an updated version. Removed the link to the AED operations team inbox as this has closed.

  2. Added a link to a video. The video demonstrates how to set your defibrillator’s availability on the national defibrillator network, The Circuit. The link is on page 23 of the guidance document.

  3. The 'Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in schools' guidance has been updated to include what support a school should provide to a responder after using a defibrillator.

  4. 'Automated external defibrillators (AEDs): a guide for maintained schools and academies' has been updated.

  5. Information on the on-site automated external defibrillators (AED) survey has been added.

  6. Updated to reflect the latest AED purchasing arrangements.

  7. Replaced document with updated version. Page 5 - amendment to the review section to say 'Other sections of the guide will be kept under review and updated as necessary'. Page 11 - updates to the contact phone number and email address.

  8. On page 11 of the guide, the contact number to call to order a defibrillator has been changed.

  9. Updated to reflect the latest AED purchasing arrangements.

  10. Updated document to reflect a reduction in price for defibrillators.

  11. Document updated to reflect a change in the price of defibrillators.

  12. Updates to the document, including revised sections on who the guide is for and purchasing an AED, and a new annex B which lists support arrangements for AEDs.

  13. Updated the list of who this information is for.

  14. NHS Supply contact number updated.

  15. First published.

Applies to England

Documents

Automated external defibrillators (AEDs): a guide for maintained schools and academies

PDF, 1.01 MB, 44 pages

Details

This information is for:

  • local-authority-maintained schools
  • academies

It provides details on how to:

  • install, use and maintain an AED in school
  • buy an AED

The guide’s buying arrangements are also open to:

  • independent schools
  • further education colleges
  • local-authority-maintained nursery schools
  • independent nursery schools
  • pre-school establishments
  • private, voluntary and independent nurseries
  • playgroups
  • holiday and out-of-school providers

An AED is a machine you can use to give an electric shock to a person to restore their normal heart rhythm.

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