Janet’s Law requires every district/school to have an AED available in an unlocked location on school property with an appropriate identifying sign. The AED must be accessible during the school day, and any other time when a school-sponsored athletic event or team practice is taking place in which pupils of the district/school are participating. The AED must be within reasonable proximity of the school athletic field or gymnasium, as applicable.
Janet’s Law also requires every district/school to have a team coach, licensed athletic trainer, or other designated staff members present for athletic events or team practices who is trained in CPR and the use of an AED. This requirement can be satisfied by having a state-certified emergency services provider or other certified first responder on site at the event or practice.
Janet’s Law additionally requires every district/school to establish and implement an emergency action plan for responding to a sudden cardiac event, including an event which requires the use of an AED. The emergency action plan must contain, among other things, a list of no less than five (5) school employees, team coaches, or licensed athletic trainers who hold current certifications in CPR and the use of an AED.
Janet’s Law does not specifically define an “athletic event.” However, N.J.S.A. 18A:40-41 and N.J.S.A. 18A:40-41f define an “athletic activity” as: “interscholastic athletics; an athletic contest or competition, other than interscholastic athletics, that is sponsored by or associated with a school district or nonpublic school including cheerleading and club-sponsored sports activities; and any practice or interschool practice or scrimmage for those activities.” Districts/schools should be guided by the definition of “athletic activity” in determining what is, and is not, an “athletic event.”
- Janet’s Law requires no less than five (5) school employees to hold current certifications in CPR and the use of an AED.
- Janet’s Law states that the AED “shall be within reasonable proximity of the school athletic field or gymnasium, as applicable” and in an unlocked location on school property with an appropriate identifying sign. How a district/school chooses to satisfy the “accessible” and “within reasonable proximity” provisions in Janet’s Law is a local decision. However, the AAP NJ (American Academy of Pediatrics NJ Chapter) recommends that the AED be placed in a central location that is, ideally, no more than a one (1) to one and a half (1½) minute walk from any location.
- There must be at least one (1) AED in every school building. The number of AEDs needed by each district/school depends on many factors, including, but not limited to: the number of athletic teams, the number of intramural teams, the frequency of home and away practices and games, the size of each school building, the number of playing fields, the size of the gymnasium and campus, proximity and availability of local emergency services provider(s), person(s) responsible for maintaining the AED(s), and the number of student athletes.
- An AED must be accessible during the school day, and this includes during physical education and recess.
- An AED must be available for all off-campus athletic events and team practices. A school’s emergency action plan for responding to sudden cardiac events should consider how to address the accessibility of an AED on field trips. If a student has an Individualized Emergency Health Care Plan which requires a student to have an AED available at all times, then an AED must be available on the field trip.
- If a school’s facilities are used by an outside group, and the event is not school-sponsored or associated with the school, and the pupils of the school are not participating, the law does not require the school to make an AED accessible to the outside group and its participants; however, it is prudent to permit outside groups to utilize available AED(s) if it becomes necessary.
Parish Athletic Associations should follow the general requirements of Janet’s Law regarding the availability of AEDs even if not required to do so under the statute.
One out of every five AEDs isn’t “rescue ready” when someone tries to use it.
- The battery was dead
- The pads were expired
- It hadn’t been used or checked in years
AEDs should be inspected regularly to make sure that they are always ready for use.
Over the years, parishes and schools have worked with a number of different vendors for AED purchases, maintenance and training. Although no specific vendors are recommended, the following have provided services to our churches, schools and organizations.
Avive – www.avive.life
John@avive.life | 610-842-6156
Team Life Inc – www.teamlife.com
Jim@teamlife.com | 732-946-4243
V. E. Ralph & Son, Inc. – www.veralph.com
sales@veralph.com | 201-997-2400