New Defibrillator Installed at Ospedaletto School for Student Safety

Tennessee Schools Now Required to Have AEDs Following New Law

As of Wednesday, February 4, 2026, all public and nonpublic high schools in Tennessee are required to have automated external defibrillators (AEDs) available, according to a new law signed by Governor Bill Lee.

The law, designated SB 2175, mandates that schools not only maintain AEDs on campus during classes, athletic practices, and games, but also establish, review, and rehearse emergency action plans for students experiencing cardiac arrest or other life-threatening injuries during school sports activities. Appropriate personnel will also receive training in CPR and AED use.

The legislation comes after a growing awareness of the risks of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) in young people. While often associated with athletes, research indicates that SCA is more common among non-athlete students in school settings. Approximately 7,000 children and teens are affected by SCA each year in the United States, and sports-related SCA accounts for 39% of cases among those under 18.

The importance of early defibrillation cannot be overstated. Schools equipped with AEDs have a survival rate of about 70% for students experiencing sudden cardiac arrest, significantly higher than the general survival rate for school-age children. The American Heart Association (AHA) emphasizes the need to deliver a shock within three to five minutes of collapse, and schools are encouraged to use this timeframe when determining the number and placement of AEDs.

Strategic placement of AEDs is crucial for maximizing their effectiveness. Recommended locations include gyms, cafeterias, main offices, nurse’s offices, and main hallways. Schools should also practice response times, accounting for potential obstacles like stairs and crowded hallways.

The new law builds on existing efforts to increase AED access in communities. One family in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, shared their experience last year when an AED saved the life of their 15-year-old son, Tyler Olsen, after he collapsed on a baseball field. Tyler has since graduated high school and plans to pursue a career in nursing. His family has been actively involved in donating AEDs to sports facilities, including a recent donation to Providence Christian Academy.

Governor Lee stated, “Nothing is more important than keeping our students healthy and safe, and the Smart Heart Act ensures schools will be ready to respond in the event of a cardiac-related emergency.”

The push for increased AED availability extends beyond legislation. Organizations like AED First Response highlight the importance of AED preparedness in schools, noting that approximately 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur annually in the United States. AEDs have been approved worldwide for over three decades and are believed to have saved 3 million lives.