Washington § 70.54.310 - Semiautomatic external defibrillator — Duty of acquirer — Immunity from civil liability.

Full text of Washington Revised Code of Washington § 70.54.310 — Semiautomatic external defibrillator — Duty of acquirer — Immunity from civil liability., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 70.54.310. Semiautomatic external defibrillator — Duty of acquirer — Immunity from civil liability.

(1) As used in this section, "defibrillator" means a semiautomatic external defibrillator as prescribed by a physician licensed under chapter 18.71 RCW or an osteopath licensed under chapter 18.57 RCW.
(2) A person or entity who acquires a defibrillator shall ensure that:
(a) Expected defibrillator users receive reasonable instruction in defibrillator use and cardiopulmonary resuscitation by a course approved by the department of health;
(b) The defibrillator is maintained and tested by the acquirer according to the manufacturer's operational guidelines;
(c) Upon acquiring a defibrillator, medical direction is enlisted by the acquirer from a licensed physician in the use of the defibrillator and cardiopulmonary resuscitation;
(d) The person or entity who acquires a defibrillator shall notify the local emergency medical services organization about the existence and the location of the defibrillator; and
(e) The defibrillator user shall call 911 or its local equivalent as soon as possible after the emergency use of the defibrillator and shall assure that appropriate follow-up data is made available as requested by emergency medical service or other health care providers.
(3) A person who uses a defibrillator at the scene of an emergency and all other persons and entities providing services under this section are immune from civil liability for any personal injury that results from any act or omission in the use of the defibrillator in an emergency setting.
(4) The immunity from civil liability does not apply if the acts or omissions amount to gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct.
(5) The requirements of subsection (2) of this section shall not apply to any individual using a defibrillator in an emergency setting if that individual is acting as a good samaritan under RCW 4.24.300.
[ 1998 c 150 s 1.]

Source: official Washington text · Last verified 2026-08-27

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Frequently Asked Questions About Washington § 70.54.310

What does Revised Code of Washington § 70.54.310 cover?

Section 70.54.310 ("Semiautomatic external defibrillator — Duty of acquirer — Immunity from civil liability.") is part of the Revised Code of Washington, the codified statutory law of Washington. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

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