South Carolina State Laws
Summary:
A person or entity that acquires an AED must: require ""designated AED users"" be trained in CPR/AED; maintain and test the AED according to the manufacturer's operational guidelines and keep written records of the maintenance and testing; and employ a health care professional to serve as AED liaison and establish a medical oversight plan which includes CPR /AED training, AED protocol, AED deployment strategies, and an AED equipment maintenance plan. AED programs must utilize a licensed physician, surgeon, physician’s assistant, nurse practitioner or nurse as an “AED liaison” to provide medical oversight services. Neither in-state licensure nor residency are required. Good Samaritan protection extends to AED trainers, rescuers, and acquirers who meet the above requirements. AEDs must be placed in high schools, and all expected users must be trained in CPR/AED. Additionally, all students in grades 9-12 must be trained in CPR/AED.
Requirements | Required | Reference | Description |
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State specific Rx required* | ![]() |
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Good Samaritan protection for UNTRAINED users | ![]() |
§ 44-76-40 | South Carolina Code, § 44-76-40. Immunity from civil liability for use of automated external defibrillator. (1) Any person or entity acting in good faith and gratuitously shall be immune from civil liability for the application of an AED unless the person was grossly negligent in the application. (2) Any designated AED users meeting the requirements of Section 44-76-30(1) and acting according to the required training shall be immune from civil liability for the application of an AED unless the application was grossly negligent. (3) A person or entity acquiring an AED and meeting the requirements of Section 44-76-30 or an AED liaison meeting the requirements of Section 44-76-30 shall be immune from civil liability for the application of an AED by any person or entity described in items (1) or (2) of this section. (4) A prescribing physician shall be immune from civil liability for authorizing the purchase of an AED, unless the authorization was grossly negligent. (5) Any person or entity, acting in good faith and gratuitously, that teaches or provides a training program for cardiopulmonary resuscitation that includes training in the use of an automated external defibrillator is immune from civil liability for providing this training for use if the: (a) person or entity has provided the training in accordance with the guidelines and policies of a national training organization, as defined in Section 44-76-30(1); (b) person providing the training is authorized to deliver that course or curriculum; and (c) training delivery was not grossly negligent. |
Good Samaritan protection for TRAINED users only | ![]() |
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Medical Direction requried | ![]() |
§ 44-76-30(3) | Employ or obtain a health care professional to serve as its AED liaison. |
State Specific Medical Direction required | ![]() |
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AED routinely maintained and/or tested | ![]() |
§ 44-76-30(2) | Maintain and test the AED according to the manufacturer’s operational guidelines and keep written records of maintenance and testing. |
Training required for expected users | ![]() |
§ 44-76-30(1) | Designated AED users to have current training in CPR and AED use by the American Heart Association, American Red Cross, American Safety and Health Institute, or National Safety Council, or training from a program that meets or exceeds the training standards of these organizations. |
Response Plan or Protocols | ![]() |
§ 44-76-30(4) | have in place an AED program approved by its AED liaison which includes CPR and AED training, AED protocol or guidelines, AED deployment strategies, and an AED equipment maintenance plan. nclude in its AED protocol or guidelines that a person who renders emergency care or treatment to a person in cardiac arrest caused by ventricular fibrillation/tachycardia by using an AED must activate the emergency medical services system or 911 as soon as possible. |
Notification to local 911/Dispatch agency | ![]() |
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Notification to local EMS agency | ![]() |
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Registration or notification with State or other agency | ![]() |
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Provide Post Use data to EMS | ![]() |
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Facilities required to have AEDs | ![]() |
High Schools § 59-17-155(A)(1), Dentist Offices Administrating Deep Sedation/General Anesthesia 4-15-410(g), Abortion Clinics 61-12, 309 | High Schools - (A) Subject to appropriations by the General Assembly, each school district shall develop and implement an automated external defibrillator program meeting the requirements of Chapter 76 of Title 44 of the 1976 Code for each high school in the district. The program must include provisions that: (1) require an operational automatic external defibrillator on the grounds of the high school, Dentist Offices Administrating Deep Sedation/General Anesthesia - (G) To offer deep sedation/general anesthesia, a facility must have: (1) with respect to equipment: … (h) resuscitation medications and an appropriate defibrillator must be immediately available, Abortion Clinics - Clinics which perform abortions beyond 14 weeks from the first day of the last menstrual cycle shall, in addition to those requirements in all other sections of this regulation, have the following in place: … C. Laryngoscopes, endotracheal tubes, and defibrillator. |
