Installation of multiple automated external defibrillators to prevent sudden death in school-aged children

Background Recently, we have experienced a student who died of idiopathic ventricular fibrillation in a school where automated external defibrillator (AED) had been installed. The tragedy could not be prevented because the only AED in the school was installed in teachers’ office situated far from the school ground where the accident took place. This occurrence prompted us to establish multiple AED system in schools. Objective We analyzed the effect of multiple AED system to prevent the sudden death of school aged children. Methods Assumed accident site consisted of school ground, gymnasium, Judo and Kendo hall, swimming pool, and classrooms on the first and the fourth floor. Multiple AED has been installed in teachers’ office, gymnasium, classroom of different sites, and as a portable AED in a rucksack. The required time was calculated from the accident site to the teachers’ office with single AED, and from the accident site to the nearest AED when multiple AED was installed. Results The required time to bring the AED to the accident site was significantly shorter in 55 elementary schools and in 29 junior high schools when multiple AED was installed compared to those with single AED. Except for the classroom on the fourth floor, the number of people concerned who took longer than 120 seconds to bring AED to the accident site was lower when multiple AED was installed than those with single AED. Conclusion Multiple AED provided in appropriate sites can reduce the required time to prevent sudden death in school-aged children. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.