Automated external defibrillators in local schools and CPR training continue to be topics of conversation after Fleming Island High School sophomore Ben Johnson's died of cardiac arrest last week.
In the 911 call placed Sept. 19, the caller said Johnson was unresponsive, but breathing, in the high school's weight room. Johnson, 16, died two days later at the hospital.
LISTEN: 911 call made from Fleming Island High School
The Clay County School District was unable to answer many of News4Jax's questions regarding Johnson’s case at this time because it’s conducting an internal report, which could take months.
According to the American Heart Association, CPR or an AED should only be used when the person is not breathing.
But decades after CPR was invented in 1960 and the AED around 1980, both continue to be instrumental in saving lives.
Georgia is among 36 states that require students to be CPR-certified before they graduate, but Florida is not.
Despite that, some Northeast Florida school districts have established their own programs and policies when it comes to CPR training and AEDs.
Which schools have AEDs?
Clay, Baker, St. Johns and Nassau counties each have at least one AED in all schools -- usually more inside middle and high schools. They're located in the gym, clinic or nursing office.
Duval County has AEDs in all middle and high schools and most elementary schools.
Are school employees trained in CPR and AED use?
Clay County doesn’t require it, but has optional training for the staff.
In Baker and Duval counties, every school has some people trained. In Baker County, all coaches and all bus drivers are trained.
St. Johns County has a team trained in AED procedures at each school and they do one practice drill per year.
Nassau County health aides are the only employees required to be CPR-certified. AED training is not required for anyone there.
How often are AED batteries checked?
An AED's battery expires every two to five years and the pads can expire every 18 to 30 months.
Clay and Duval counties don’t have specific time frames in which they’re checked, but district officials work to ensure the devices are fully functioning and up-to-date.
AEDs in Baker County and St. Johns County schools are checked every day.
Nassau County checks AED batteries once a month.
Any training in the works for the future?
News4Jax also asked the Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau and St. Johns school districts if there was any type of training or initiatives in the works for the future when it comes to CPR training and AED use within schools.
The Clay County School Board passed a policy in August that requires all 9th graders to learn hands-only CPR training. In addition, at the beginning of the school year, all seven of our high schools were nationally recognized as “First Team Safe Sports Schools” by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association. The district said it continues to strengthen current partnerships and create new ones to secure funding for additional trainings and equipment.
The Baker County school district said it is implementing a new program called the Safe Beat Heart Starts Program that is coordinated through Wolfson Children’s Hospital. The program offers heart screenings at no cost to the district or its students. It will be implemented in the spring of this school year. Electrocardiograms will be offered to any student in grades 6-12 who requests or needs these services. The students’ parent or guardian must provide permission for these services.
Duval County said it has ongoing training opportunities for faculty and staff.
Nassau and St. Johns counties said nothing is in the works at this time