Simple AED Practice Routine for School Staff
Many educators worry about being unprepared for medical emergencies. Quick drills can transform that anxiety into action and save lives.
Every school faces medical emergencies sooner or later, and sudden cardiac arrest is among the most critical. When it happens, every minute counts. The sooner an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is used, the better the chance of survival.
But there’s a challenge: most teachers and support staff feel unprepared to use one. In fact, a recent UK study found that only 15.9% of school staff felt confident with an AED before hands-on experience.
Unsurprisingly, unfamiliarity can lead to hesitation. When staff are unsure, seconds can slip by. Delayed action wastes vital time, risks poor outcomes for pupils and colleagues, and undermines Ofsted and HSE expectations for a safe working environment.
Formal, full-length first aid training is important, but it doesn’t always translate into confidence in fast-moving real-world moments. With busy timetables and high workloads, schools rarely have the luxury of extra hours for in-depth practice.
This is a simple but urgent problem: every adult in a school needs to feel ready to use the AED, without taking up precious learning or teaching time.
Preventable Mistakes
A few preventable mistakes hold schools back from meaningful AED readiness:
Assuming theoretical knowledge is enough. Watching a video or ticking off an e-learning module does not prepare a person to act quickly or calmly in a crisis.
Making AED drills too long or difficult to organise. If drills require booking the hall, specialist trainers, or full afternoon sessions, they’re less likely to happen. As a result, staff miss out on practical experience.
Failing to repeat or refresh. One-off annual training isn’t enough. Skills fade, and with staff changes, confidence can drop across the team.
Not involving all staff. Cleaners, after-school club leaders, catering staff, and admin teams are just as likely to be present when an emergency hits. If they’re left out, there are gaps in real-world preparedness.
Leaving no visual reminders. Once a hands-on drill is over, people forget the steps they practised unless there’s a visible prompt or simple checklist.
The most common pitfall of all is waiting for an official training day and hoping staff are prepared in the meantime. This leaves staff anxious and schools exposed if the worst should happen.
Step-by-Step Fix
Simple solutions work best. Short, regular practice drills can make all the difference and fit into even the busiest school day. Here’s how to get started.
Step 1: Schedule 10-minute practice sessions into existing gatherings
Take advantage of times when staff are already together, such as morning briefings, staff meetings, or INSET days. Instead of trying to arrange a separate training slot, set aside just 10 minutes at the start or end.
Aim to familiarise staff with the AED: its location, appearance, and the basic steps involved.
Bring out the training AED. (If you don’t have one, many suppliers offer free rental periods or cost-effective options.) Encourage staff to hold it, open it, and see how easily the pads connect.
DefibSpace Tip:
Laminate a simple one-page “AED Quick Steps” checklist and keep it next to your staff signing-in book. Staff who miss a session can pick it up and practise for two minutes on their own or with a colleague.
Step 2: Run peer-to-peer practice with paired staff
People learn far more from hands-on action than from watching. Split staff into pairs. Give each pair a chance to practice moving through the AED procedure, using a training device if available.
With more than one training AED, set up in separate corners of the staffroom to avoid bottlenecks. Each person should have a turn operating the device and talking their partner through the steps as if it were a real incident.
Discuss practical questions such as “What do I do if the pads won’t stick?” or “Where are the scissors and razor kept?” (Most AEDs come with these inside the carry case.)
Rotate pairs at the next session so staff get comfortable working with different colleagues.
DefibSpace Tip:
Staff often feel awkward or embarrassed at first. Start by acknowledging that nobody is expected to do this perfectly. The aim is getting comfortable with the process, not memorising a script.
Step 3: Build in regular refreshers each term
Real confidence builds with repetition. Instead of waiting for annual first aid courses, plan in at least one AED practice session per term.
These refreshers can be even shorter — five minutes with the device and a quick Q&A. Link them to other safety reminders, such as fire drill practice or evac chair training.
Use different staff each time to demonstrate. If a new colleague starts, give them a one-to-one walkthrough. If your AED is moved or updated, make this the focus of your next session.
DefibSpace Tip:
Note down who has practised when. This helps spot any gaps, such as support staff or peripatetic teachers who may be on-site only now and then, and shows due diligence for your health and safety records.
Step 4: Guide staff to trust the AED prompts
Modern AEDs provide clear, step-by-step instructions for users. Even if you freeze or feel unsure, you can follow the device’s voice prompts. Use your staff practice sessions to demonstrate how the AED helps the rescuer with calm, direct instructions.
Let staff hear, in real-time, the exact audio prompts the machine gives, from “Attach pads” to “Do not touch the patient.” If your training AED can simulate different scenarios, use this to show a range of situations.
DefibSpace Tip:
Record a quick video of a staff member going through the AED process and share it via your staff bulletin, Teams channel, or intranet. This creates an extra point of reference between drills and means any new team members can watch on demand.
Step 5: Make AED practice visible and valued
Treat short AED practice as essential as a register check, not as an afterthought. Add AED readiness to the agenda for safeguarding or site walkarounds.
Invite staff to share their questions, uncertainties, or stories of real incidents (whether from school or the wider community). This makes learning relevant and keeps the training alive beyond the session.
DefibSpace Tip:
Display an “AED Ready” notice in your staffroom or reception that gets updated every time a drill is completed. This can boost morale and act as a reassuring signal for parents and visitors.
Sample “AED Quick Steps” Checklist (Print & display near your device)
Fetch the AED and bring it to the casualty.
Turn on the AED and follow the voice prompts.
Expose the casualty’s chest and attach the pads as shown on the diagrams.
Ensure nobody is touching the casualty when the AED says "analyzing."
Deliver a shock if advised and resume chest compressions as instructed.
Continue to follow instructions until emergency services arrive.
Include machine-specific variations if required. Make sure your actual AED is always ready for use (battery checked, pads in date, kit stocked).
What Most People Miss
It’s easy to assume that only trained first aiders need to know how to use the AED or that confidence comes from knowing the facts. In practice, quick, low-pressure, hands-on drills do more to cement confidence than any written manual.
Staff often worry about making mistakes. AEDs are designed specifically for non-medical people facing high-pressure situations. Confidence builds when staff practise together, handle the device themselves, and see that following the automated prompts is enough.
Another commonly overlooked point is the importance of including all adults on site, not just teaching staff. Emergencies don’t stick to timetables.
Perspective
Adding short AED practice drills into school life creates a genuinely prepared and resilient staff team. This leads to:
Faster, more decisive emergency responses and higher survival odds
A visible culture of safety, reassuring parents, governors, and inspectors
Reduced risk of non-compliance with HSE or DfE safety guidance
Stronger peer support and confidence, contributing to wider wellbeing
Clear evidence of due diligence for your own records and inspections
Effective AED readiness means practical preparedness in day-to-day conditions.
Wrap-Up
Simple, routine AED practice drills help transform uncertainty into calm action. Every school can build this habit into the working week without major disruption. The impact is seen in staff confidence, pupil safety, and legal compliance.
For more practical first aid advice and specialised training resources for schools, visit our School First Aid Training Kit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should staff practise using the AED?
Aim for at least one short drill per term for all staff. More frequent, low-key refreshers boost comfort and skill retention.
Is it safe for non-medical staff to use the AED?
Yes. AEDs are designed for lay users and provide all key instructions via voice and display prompts. It’s always better to try than to hesitate.
Does a training AED work the same as a real one?
Training AEDs mimic the layout and voice prompts of real defibrillators, but do not deliver a real shock. Practising with a training device builds muscle memory for emergencies.
Do we need specialist trainers for these drills?
While professional input is valuable, most day-to-day drills can be run by any confident member of staff, such as your site manager or administrative lead, as long as they are familiar with AED basics.
Are there official guidelines for AEDs in schools?
Yes. The UK Department for Education expects all schools to maintain an operational AED and encourage first aid readiness. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recommends regular device checks and annual first aid skills refreshers, which include AED awareness.
What if I’m nervous I won’t remember the steps?
Rely on the AED. Turning it on immediately provides clear, step-by-step instructions. Having a printed checklist next to the device is a helpful backup.
Further Resources
This article provides general information for schools in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Always follow local policies and device-specific instructions. For school-specific guidance, contact DefibSpace or your local authority.
For more practical safety advice, visit DefibSpace for free resources and guidance at https://www.defibspace.com.
