Heart Safe Schools

Implementing Heart Safe Schools

Project ADAM affiliates strive to assist schools and communities in establishing an emergency plan to place into action in the incidence of a sudden cardiac arrest. It’s not enough simply to have AEDs in the building. Lives are saved when schools are prepared not only with a documented plan, but also with a cardiac response team, in addition to being well trained on how to respond in the event of a cardiac emergency.

Project ADAM affiliates provide the foundation for schools to plan and develop their program, including planning templates, a reference manual and one-on-one consultation on how to help prevent sudden cardiac death in the school setting.

Project ADAM Heart Safe School designation is attained by schools upon successful implementation of a quality sudden cardiac arrest program of awareness, training and effective emergency response to promote a Heart Safe environment for students, visitors and staff as outlined within the Heart Safe School Checklist.

 

Step 1: Project ADAM Heart Safe School Checklist

As an initial assessment of cardiac emergency preparedness, please download and fill out one checklist per school and return to your Project ADAM Program Coordinator.  If you do not have an affiliate program in your state, use this tool as an assessment and guide to implementing a Heart Safe School.

Step 2: Project ADAM School Manual

Schools can utilize the following detailed manual as a guide to achieving Heart Safe School Designation. Click on the link below to download and review the manual.

Step 3: Program Templates & Videos

Schools can utilize the following templates to implement Project ADAM Heart Safe School Designation. Click on any of the links below to download word documents that can be cutomized for your school building. Contact your local affiliate for support.

References

Project ADAM Videos

  

Chapter 1: The Adam in Project ADAM
 

Chapter 2: Understanding Sudden Cardiac Arrest
 

Chapter 3: Being Prepared in a Cardiac Emergency
 
Chapter 4: Implementing Project ADAM in Your School
 
AED Drill
 
All staff awareness
 

Frequently Asked Questions

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  How can I start Project ADAM in my school?

Visit our Affliate page for more information.

  What are the benefits of participating in Project ADAM?

Benefits include increased awareness of sudden cardiac arrest, how to initiate a timely response, guidance on establishing CPR/AED life skills for students and staff, and assistance with planning for a comprehensive school AED implementation/deployment plan.

  What is the commitment required of schools to participate?

Project ADAM schools commit to implement protocols provided in the Project ADAM manuals. The manual assists school staff in forming an emergency response team; implementing practice AED drills; educating school staff, students and parents on the location of the AED; conducting appropriate maintenance and testing of equipment; and keeping an accurate record of staff trained in CPR.

  Has Project ADAM made an impact nationally?

Since Project ADAM’s inception in 1999, nationally there have been more than 50 documented cases of lives being saved in Project ADAM-affiliated schools. Thirty of the lives saved were in Georgia, where more than 800 schools have implemented Project S.A.V.E., the Project ADAM affiliate in Georgia.

  Are schools in my state required to do any of this?

Laws vary by state. See the legislation map for more information.

  How do we write policies for responding to a medical emergency?

Project ADAM has created templates of many emergency preparedness policies, procedures and letters that your school can tailor to your specific institution.

  How can school faculty generate administrative and community support?

The key is letting facts tell your story. The extent of the problem, legal issues, cost, training and program implementation all are factors to be considered. Project ADAM staff can help you put together your presentation to include all of this information. We also have a CD and video that you can use to generate support and funding for your program. In addition, we are able to travel to your location and speak with key groups of people to help explain the program and the implications for the school and community.

  Where do we find appropriate resources and how do we begin to plan for this program?

Planning begins with a committee of key people including school administrators, athletic personnel, school nurses, parents, local emergency medical personnel, medical directors and any community groups you have identified as being interested in supporting the initiative. The Project ADAM manual and resources will help you answer some initial questions, anticipate the costs and begin planning for training and program implementation. We also have staff who can help lead your first meeting and assist with the planning process.