---
title: O.C.G.A. § 31-11-53.2. Lay rescuers; use of automated external defibrillators.
collection: code
id: 31-11-53.2
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 31-11-53.2 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/31-11-53.2
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/31-11-53.2.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/31-11-53.2/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t31-(v23)-2025-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=da7ded69_0#page=715
date: 2025
status: active
corpus_version: 2025-supplement-89aa39ab3c68
license: CC0-1.0
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
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version: the only printed version
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current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Session of the General Assembly of Georgia
heading_path: HEALTH / EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES / PERSONNEL
---

# O.C.G.A. § 31-11-53.2. Lay rescuers; use of automated external defibrillators.

(a) As used in this Code section, the term “lay rescuer” means a person trained to provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation and to use an automated external defibrillator, as defined in Code Section 31-11-53.1, and who is participating in a physician or medically authorized automated external defibrillator program.

(b) The following guidelines shall be applicable to the use of automated external defibrillators by lay rescuers:

(1) Any person or entity who acquires an automated external defibrillator shall ensure that:

(A) Expected users of the automated external defibrillator receive American Heart Association or American Red Cross training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and automated external defibrillator use or complete an equivalent nationally recognized course;

(B) The defibrillator is maintained and tested according to the manufacturer’s operational guidelines;

(C) There is involvement of a licensed physician or other person authorized by the composite board in the site’s automated external defibrillator program to ensure compliance with requirements for training, notification, and maintenance; and

(D) Any person who renders emergency care or treatment to a person in cardiac arrest by using an automated external defibrillator activates the emergency medical services system as soon as possible and reports any clinical use of the automated external defibrillator to the licensed physician or other person authorized by the composite board who is supervising the program; and

(2) Any person or entity who acquires an automated external defibrillator shall notify an agent of the emergency communications or vehicle dispatch center of the existence, location, and type of automated external defibrillator.

## History

Code 1981, § 31-11-53.2, enacted by Ga. L. 2001, p. 776, § 1; Ga. L. 2002, p. 415, § 31.

## Cross References

Immunity for operators of external defibrillators, § 51-1-29.3.

## Law Reviews

For note on the 2001 enactment of this Code section, see 18 Ga. St. U.L. Rev. 146 (2001).