Implementation Timeline
There are many steps to think about when building a school CPR-AED program in partnership with Project ADAM. The following timeline describes a general plan of action to guide the Project ADAM coordinator. It may take anywhere from 6-12 months to get your program up and running. Connect with your local Project ADAM affiliate for support.
All up-to-date implementation documents can be found and downloaded on our website:
Program Planning and Maintenance (Steps 1-7)
Step 1
●Identify a Project ADAM coordinator.
Selecting a dedicated point person to lead organizational efforts is an instrumental step in creating and maintaining a functional and sustainable program.
●Acquire rough estimates for AED equipment.
Securing funding may take some time if it is not already in your school budget.
●Create an annual budget.
This will help track equipment, training and maintenance costs of the program and should be shared with administration.
*Relevant documents: Fundraising Tools and Budget Template.
Step 2
●Conduct an AED site assessment.
The AED should be accessible to a victim in less than 2 minutes from any point in the school. Local Fire and/or EMS organizations are often willing to help conduct the assessment.
●Identify a program medical director.
Contact your local Fire, EMS, hospital or Project ADAM affiliate to help identify a qualified individual.
* Relevant documents: AED Site Assessment and Medical Director Checklist.
Step 3
●Finalize the AED unit make and make and model.
Identify a vendor to order the unit and contact your local Project ADAM affiliate for support.
*Relevant document: Choosing an AED.
Step 4
●Purchase AED unit(s).
●Create a school cardiac emergency response plan.
A cardiac emergency response plan (CERP) is a written document that establishes specific steps to take action in a cardiac emergency in a school setting.In 2015, Project ADAM partnered with the American Heart Association and other invested organizations to create a response plan template based on best practices.
*Relevant documents: Written Plan for SCA in Schools - Full Version,
Written Plan for SCA in Schools – Partner School, Written Plan for SCA in School Athletics.
Note:
●Refer to Written Plan for SCA in Schools - Full Version, for the complete version of the CERP. This document can be edited to fit the school's needs.
●Project ADAM coordinators may refer toWritten Plan for SCA in Schools – Partner School as an example of how a Project ADAM partner school tailored the plan to fit the school's needs.
●Engage athletic staff by referring to the Written Plan for SCA in School Athletics to plan for venue-specific events.
Step 5
●Create a cardiac emergency response team.
This team is comprised of at least 10% of school staff and is expected to keep up-to-date CPR-AED training. Members will also participate in at least one cardiac emergency response drill per year.
●Secure a plan for training or certifying staff.
The Project ADAM coordinator will create a plan for staff CPR-AED training and renewal, at minimum every two years. A review of the school’s plan for SCA, AED location and team members should also be reviewed at this time.
*Relevant documents: CPR-AED Training Tools.
Note:
●The cardiac emergency response team members should be listed and kept up-to-date within the Written Plan for SCA in Schools.
Step 6
●Secure school CPR-AED training equipment.
Secure CPR training manikins (a 2:1 ratio for staff) and at least one AED training unit for practicing the school’s response.
●Develop a plan for maintaining the school’s AED equipment.
●Develop a plan for debriefing if the AED is used.
*Relevant documents: AED Maintenance and AED Incident Debriefing.
Step 7
●Conduct a staff CPR-AED training.
●Mount AED(s) at school.
●Share the complete written cardiac emergency response plan.
Refer to Step 4 for tips on completing this plan. This should be shared with your medical director, cardiac emergency response team and local Fire and/or EMS.
●Conduct a cardiac emergency response drill.
*Relevant document: Cardiac Emergency Response Drills.
Sharing Your Program
Step 8
●Stay in touch with your local Project ADAM affiliate program.
Contact your local affiliate for ongoing program support, report incidents when the AED is used and share an annual summary of your program with your local affiliate.
●Work towards the Heart Safe Schools designation with Project ADAM.
Contact your local Project ADAM affiliate for support.
*Relevant documents: Project ADAM CPR-AED Incident Report, Partner School Summary and Heart Safe Schools Checklist and Project ADAM Acknowledgement.
Project ADAM National Affiliates, Updated November 2016
For an up-to-date version, please visit