How Via Heart Project Can Help Your School
At Via Heart Project, we make it easy for schools to implement and maintain a life-saving AED program. Whether you’re just getting started or need help managing an existing program, we provide expert support every step of the way—with a focus on simplicity, compliance, and readiness.
We coordinate all aspects of your school’s AED program, including:
Why Schools Need AEDs
Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) can strike anyone, anytime—even young, healthy students. Every year in the U.S., over 350,000 people experience out-of-hospital cardiac arrest—and up to 23,000 of them are children under 18.
SCA is the leading cause of death on school campuses and among high school athletes, with nearly 40% of cardiac arrests in youth linked to sports. In fact, 1 in every 25 U.S. high schools can expect an SCA event each year.
The only effective treatment for SCA is immediate CPR and defibrillation.
Every minute counts—survival chances drop by 10% for every minute without defibrillation, and brain damage can begin within 8 minutes.
With an average EMS response time of 7 minutes or more, having an AED on-site is critical.
With a well-implemented AED program and long-term AED management, SCA survival rates can increase from just 10% to over 50%.
AEDs don’t just protect the 49 million students who are on school campuses each day. They also safeguard nearly 300,000 staff and faculty members, as well as parents, grandparents, and community members who attend events, meetings, and games on campus.
Via Heart Project manages AED programs in over 500 schools across California, and more than 1,200 AEDs in schools nationwide.
With years of specialized experience in school-based AED programs, we make it easy to protect your students, staff, and visitors. From program implementation to maintenance, we ensure your campus is prepared to respond to cardiac emergencies with confidence.
Schools With Existing AEDs On Campus
Already have one or more AEDs on campus? Great! Let us help you make sure they’re up to date and ready to save a life.
Our AED Maintenance Program ensures your devices are in compliance and always rescue-ready. When you enroll, we will:
- Evaluate the status of your AED(s) and assist with the replacement of expired pads or batteries, if needed (supplies available for an additional cost).
- Register your AED(s) with the appropriate county agency.
- Provide policy and procedure documents and AED prescription.
- Add your AED(s) to our online management system, which tracks monthly checks, supply expirations, and staff training records.
You don’t have to manage compliance on your own—we’ve got it covered.
Schools Without an AED On Campus
If your school doesn’t yet have an AED program, we’re here to guide you through every step of the process.
As a vendor-neutral nonprofit, we’ll help you select the AED model that best fits your needs—whether you’re looking for pediatric features, bilingual prompts, or enhanced portability. We’ll also advise on:
- The number of AEDs your campus needs
- Best placement for visibility and access
- Wall cabinets and signage for optimal deployment
- Certified CPR/AED and First Aid training for your staff
Worried about compliance? Don’t be.
When you purchase an AED through us, your first year of our AED Maintenance Program is included at no cost. We handle:
- AED registration with the county
- Medical direction, prescriptions, and policy and procedure documents
- Monthly readiness tracking
- Expiration alerts and free replacement supplies after use or expiration
Visit our Products page to explore available AEDs and compare features.
When you purchase an AED through us, your first year of our AED Maintenance Program is included at no cost.
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ATTENTION CALIFORNIA SCHOOLS:
As of July 2019, Assembly Bill 2009 requires that all CA schools with an interscholastic athletics program have at least one AED on campus.
AEDs must be available to athletic trainers and coaches, and be regularly tested and maintained. Via Heart Project’s comprehensive AED maintenance program can help to ensure your school’s compliance.