Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in Ohio Schools

Supporting Student Health and Safety

Schools and districts can create healthy environments where students are ready to learn by establishing policies and procedures that support health and safety. This page gives an overview of how schools and districts can prioritize health and safety with automatic external defibrillators (AEDs).

Placement of Automated External Defibrillators

Ohio law for public, chartered nonpublic, community, STEM, and college-preparatory boarding schools effective October 24, 2024, requires AEDs to be placed in every public, chartered nonpublic, community, STEM, and college-preparatory school in Ohio.
The American Heart Association’s Your On-site AED Program: An Implementation Guide provides employers with a step-by-step guide to implementation of an AED program. Schools and districts can consider the items below when placing AEDs in the school setting:

• Location. Place in common areas where they are easily visible (hallways, cafeterias, or outside gymnasiums).
• Signage. Make sure the AED is clearly marked making it easy to identify.
• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines. Be sure placement meets the ADA guidelines.
• Local EMS involvement. Make sure that local EMS are aware of the AED and its location inside or outside of the school building.

Emergency Action Plan

Ohio law for public, chartered nonpublic, community, STEM, and college-preparatory boarding schools requires schools to adopt an emergency action plan for the use of AEDs. Schools may choose to adopt Ohio Department of Health’s AED Emergency Action Plan or create their own plan. 

Some sample action plans include:

• Ohio Department of Health AED Emergency Action Plan- Note: Ohio law for the model emergency action plan developed by Ohio Department of Health includes the requirement for the plan to be practiced at least quarterly; and
• 2023 American Heart Association Cardiac Emergency Response Plan and Protocol- Schools. Note: While this national plan may be used as a guide in the development of a school’s plan, the information included regarding number and type of staff trained does not meet the 2024 Ohio law requirements.

Staff Training

Staff training is essential to accurately and safely care for students in the event of an emergency. Ohio law discusses placement of AEDs and training requirements for staff for public, chartered nonpublic, STEM, community, and college-preparatory boarding schools. Schools or districts can review these Ohio laws to determine their placement and training requirements.

Administrators interested in certifying staff in CPR and AED can reach out to their School Safety Liaison for information on trainings available through Ohio School Safety Center.

Report a Violation of Ohio's AED in Schools Law

To file a violation of Ohio's AED law, complete the AED Placement and Emergency Action Plan Violation Report Form.

Additional Resources

• Ohio Department of Education and Workforce: Grades 9-12 High School CPR and AED Requirements
• Ohio Department of Health: Sudden Cardiac Arrest
• Ohio Department of Health: Lindsay’s Law and sudden cardiac arrest in youth athletes
• American Heart Association's Your On-site AED Program: An Implementation Guide
• American Heart Association's 10 Steps to an Effective AED Program
• American Heart Association: Cardiac Emergency Response Plan Schools Checklist
• American Heart Association: Cardiac Emergency Response Plan Sports Checklist
• Sample AED equipment monthly inspection log

Last Modified: 7/25/2025 2:03:42 PM

---