Is Your School Heart Safe?
Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is the leading cause of death on school campuses, and the #1 killer of student athletes. That's why it's critical for your school to have a written and well-practiced Cardiac Emergency Response Plan (CERP). Created by a nation task force of health and safety organizations, a CERP is a vital step towards sudden cardiac death prevention.
This toolkit can be easily adapted for a sport facility, after-school club, camp and other places youth congregate.
Form Cardiac Emergency Response Team
CPR trained and response ready, the team helps implement the plan and conduct drills.
Check Your Toolkit For:
- Tips to identify team members
- Recommended guidelines for staff training
Implement Emergency Response Protocol
A written plan documents your exact emergency action and should be incorporated into your school safety plan.
Check Your Toolkit For:
- Sample plans you personalize to your school
- Annual evaluation forms
Install & Maintain AEDs Properly
Automated External Defibrillators must be properly installed—and never locked away—always accessible.
Check Your Toolkit For:
- Guidelines for installation
- Tips for site selection and maintenance
Conduct Life-Saving Drills
It's critical to test your team's readiness and your plans effectiveness through practice. Involve your local EMS.
Check Your Toolkit For:
- Cardiac emergency drill templates (like fire drills)
- Drill evaluation forms
Share Plan With School Community
Educate parents, staff, coaches and facility users about how to be prepared to save a life.
Check Your Toolkit For:
- Letters and flyers to circulate
- Resources to raise awareness about SCA in youth
Watch what a Cardiac Emergency Response Plan in action looks like!
2015 CERP Task Force
- American Heart Association
- American Association of School Administrators
- C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, University of Michigan Health System
- Kimberly Anne Gillary Foundation
- Michigan Department of Health & Human Services
- National Athletic Trainer’s Association
- National Association of School Nurses
- Parent Heart Watch
- Project ADAM
- Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE America)
- Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation
- University of California Davis/American Academy of Pediatrics
- Sarver Heart Center/American College of Cardiology