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Project ADAM

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Project ADAM is a national initiative dedicated to educating and equipping schools to effectively respond to sudden cardiac events. The program ensures schools have trained personnel, established procedures, and strategically placed automated external defibrillators (AEDs) throughout the campus. Once these elements are in place, schools can apply to be recognized as a “Heart Safe School.”

Children’s hospitals and health systems throughout the country have joined in the mission to reduce preventable cardiac deaths by becoming a Project ADAM affiliate. Rady Children’s Health, Orange County earned our Project ADAM affiliate status in June 2026. Our program is administered through the Population Health Department.

Coordinator, Project ADAM: Michelle Carrey — [email protected]

Medical Director: Dr. Michael Weiss, VP Population Health

Executive Director: Megan Beckerle, Executive Director Cross Continuum Care

How Schools Can Get Started


Because approximately 20% of a community is in its schools on any given day, including students, teachers, staff and family members, a focused effort on cardiac arrest preparedness in schools is critical to protecting our children and others in the community and beyond.

Schools can achieve Heart Safe School status upon successful implementation of sudden cardiac preparedness plan that includes:

  • Written cardiac emergency response plan
  • AEDs that are easily accessible and functional
  • Identification of a cardiac emergency response team with CPR training
  • Annual cardiac emergency drills
  • Annual staff education on sudden cardiac arrest

Rady Children’s is dedicated to helping schools achieve “Heart Safe” certification by providing guidance and resources to schools that meet the necessary requirements.

Contact Rady Children’s Project ADAM Coordinator to begin the process at your school.

History of Project ADAM

Project ADAM began in 1999 after the death of Adam Lemel, a 17-year-old Wisconsin high school student who collapsed while playing basketball due to sudden cardiac arrest. Defibrillation via an AED could have saved his life. Adam’s parents, Patty Lemel-Clanton and Joe Lemel, partnered with Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin’s Herma Heart Institute to create a program in his memory focused on AED access and cardiac emergency response in schools.

Learn more on Project ADAM’s national site

What is Sudden Cardiac Arrest?

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) occurs when the heart suddenly stops due to an electrical malfunction, cutting off blood flow to the brain and vital organs and causing immediate collapse and unconsciousness. Unlike a heart attack caused by a blockage, SCA often strikes without warning in people of any age, including healthy and active individuals. Possible signs can include fainting, dizziness, shortness of breath, or chest pain during exercise. Immediate CPR and use of an AED are critical for survival.

Each year, over 356,000 people in the U.S. experience sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), with a survival rate of only about 10%. Among these, approximately 7,000 are children, highlighting SCA as the leading cause of death among student athletes.

What is an AED?

An AED is a portable device that diagnoses and treats life-threatening heart rhythms, including sudden cardiac arrest. Designed for use by anyone, AEDs guide users on application and whether to administer a shock, with some devices delivering shocks automatically. AEDs typically advise CPR, making training beneficial. Survival rates decrease by 10% for each minute defibrillation is delayed.

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