DATE:
March 25, 2026
09
TO:
Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT
Title
TAKING ACTION TO EXPAND ACCESS TO AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATORS (AEDs) FOR PRIVATE SPORTS FACILITIES AND ORGANIZATIONS (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
Effective January 1, 2028, Assembly Bill 310 (AB 310) will require youth sports organizations throughout the State to provide access to Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) during practices and matches, as well as ensure AED staff training, emergency response plans, and communication procedures. AB 310 underscores the critical importance of AED availability in preventing sudden cardiac arrest, which remains a leading cause of death among youth athletes, including those with undiagnosed heart conditions.
On May 6, 2025, the Board of Supervisors directed County staff (staff) to explore opportunities to expand AED access for youth sports organizations and facilities across the San Diego region. This direction aimed to support these organizations in getting a leg up on AB 310 compliance while enhancing public safety more broadly. In response, staff conducted extensive stakeholder outreach, including surveys and interviews with youth sports organizations and municipal parks departments, to identify barriers and potential solutions. Results of these efforts are included in staff's memo, titled: "Report Back on Expanding Access to Automated External Defibrillators for Private Sports Facilities and Organizations," (memo) dated September 3, 2025.
Outreach efforts revealed that only 23% of surveyed organizations consistently have access to an AED during organized sports activities, leaving the majority of youth athletes in the County vulnerable during practices and games. The top needs expressed by survey respondents were funding for AED purchases (34%), training and certification (28%), and maintenance support (15%). These gaps highlight the urgent need for a comprehensive approach that addresses both access to equipment and education/traini...
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