title: Automated External Defibrillators and Emergency Planning for Sudden Cardiac Arrest in Vermont High Schools: A Rural State's Perspective.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sudden cardiac death (SCD) events are tragic. Secondary prevention of SCD depends on availability of automated external defibrillators (AEDs). High school athletes represent a high-risk group for SCD, and current efforts aim to place AEDs in all high schools.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The prevalence of AEDs and emergency planning for sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) in Vermont high schools is similar to other states. Understanding specific needs and limitations in rural states may prevent SCD in rural high schools.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  A survey was distributed to all 74 Vermont high school athletic directors. Outcome measures included AED prevalence, AED location, individuals trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and AED utilization, funding methods for AED attainment, and the establishment of an emergency action plan (EAP) for response to SCA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All schools (100%, 74 of 74) completed the survey. Of those, 60 (81%) schools have at least 1 AED on school premises, with the most common location for AED placement being the main office or lobby (50%). Larger sized schools were more likely to have an AED on the premises than smaller sized schools (P = 0.00). School nurses (77%) were the most likely individuals to receive formal AED training. Forty-one schools (55%) had an EAP in place for response to SCA, and 71% of schools coordinated AED placement with local emergency medical services (EMS) responders.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In Vermont, more than two-thirds of high schools have at least 1 AED on school premises. However, significant improvement in the establishment of EAPs for SCA and training in CPR and AED utilization is essential given the rural demography of the state of Vermont.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Rural high schools inherently have longer EMS response times. In addition to obtaining AEDs, high schools must develop a public access to defibrillation program to maximize the chance of survival following cardiac arrest, especially in rural settings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont.
authors.forename: Scott M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Wasilko
authors.affiliation: Division of Sports Medicine, Departments of Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation and Family Medicine, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont.
authors.forename: David K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Lisle
keywords: automated external defibrillators; emergency action plan; sudden cardiac arrest