Automated Emergency Defibrillator Programs in Schools – Outcome of Individual Initiatives and Legislative Mandates in Orange County, California

摘要

The risk of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is estimated to affect one in 200,000 high school athletes per year. Careful screening at the preparticipation sports physical and, if necessary, further diagnostic testing can identify athletes at risk. However, no single test will guarantee that sudden cardiac arrest will not occur. When a young athlete collapses without warning, prior preparation is essential to deal with it. The most important factor in determining survival following sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is time from collapse to defibrillation. Survival benefit has been demonstrated with the use of school-based Automated External Defibrillators (AED) for both students and non-students suffering SCA.1 In instances where early defibrillation can mean the difference between life and death, the presence of school-based AED programs are of utmost importance.