Arizona has a Good Samaritan law that protects people who give emergency care in good faith and without payment. Arizona also has a separate law that protects people who use an AED in good faith.
Worry about getting sued is one of the most common questions in our classes. Here is what these laws say in plain terms, where the protection stops, and how consent works for adults and children. This article is general information, not legal advice.
What does Arizona’s Good Samaritan law protect?
Every state has a Good Samaritan law. Arizona’s is A.R.S. § 32-1471. It protects people who give emergency care in good faith and without payment.
“Good faith” means you are honestly trying to help the person. “Without payment” means you are not being paid to give that care. The law does not protect gross negligence.
Think of a church volunteer who sees a visitor collapse in the lobby, calls 911, and starts CPR. That is the kind of good-faith help these laws describe.
Does the law cover using an AED?
Yes. Arizona separately protects people who use an AED in good faith under A.R.S. § 36-2263.
An AED is built for people with no medical background. It analyzes the heart rhythm and only shocks if a shock is needed, so you do not decide who gets shocked. Our guide on how to use an AED walks through the steps.
Can I get sued for doing CPR?
Arizona law protects people who help in good faith, including with an AED. Doing nothing is the bigger risk to the person in front of you.
That risk is real. In 2024, only about 42% of people who had a cardiac arrest outside a hospital received CPR from a bystander, and only about 13% had a bystander use an AED. Every one of those moments needed someone willing to step in.
Good faith is not the same as anything goes
Good Samaritan protection is broad, but it is not unlimited. Arizona’s law does not protect gross negligence. The law is there for people who are honestly trying to help, not for careless or reckless actions.
In practice, the best way to stay on solid ground is simple:
- Do what you were trained to do, and nothing you were not trained to do.
- Call 911 early, so trained responders are on the way.
- Ask for consent when the person can answer.
- Stay with the person until help arrives.
These are the same habits we teach in class. Following them is good first aid, whatever the legal question.
Do I need permission before I help?
If the adult is awake and can answer, yes. Ask first, for example, “Can I help you?”
If they say no, do not touch them. You can still call 911 and stay nearby in case things change.
If an adult is unresponsive, consent is implied, and you can help. The first steps in that situation are covered in What to Do First in a Medical Emergency.
What about consent for children?
For anyone under 18, ask a parent or guardian if one is there. If no parent or guardian is present, consent is implied, and you can help.
For daycare and school staff, your workplace policy and each child’s emergency forms usually cover this ahead of time. Know your policy before you need it, and know where those forms are kept.
Does the Good Samaritan law cover me at work?
If helping is part of your job, your employer’s policies and training requirements apply too. That is often the case for daycare teachers, school staff, and people named as a workplace first aid responder.
We cannot tell you how the law applies to your specific job. Ask your employer, and if you need legal advice, talk to a lawyer.
This article is general education. It does not replace hands-on CPR and first aid training, where you practice these skills with an instructor.
How LP Health Directions can help
Confidence comes from practice. When you have done the skills with an instructor, deciding to help gets easier.
- CPR and First Aid classes in Phoenix and Tucson.
- On-site Group Training for daycares, schools, churches, and workplaces.
- AED Solutions for AED sales, leasing, and management.
- Ready to train your team? Book a class or contact us.
Sources
- Arizona State Legislature, A.R.S. § 32-1471 (Good Samaritan)
- Arizona State Legislature, A.R.S. § 36-2263 (AED Good Samaritan protection)
- American Heart Association, Top Takeaways from the 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics Update
Reviewed September 28, 2026. This article provides general education and does not replace first aid and CPR training, medical advice, or 911 guidance.