Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) are crucial for ensuring the safety and well-being of staff, visitors, and customers at facilities such as churches, schools, gyms, businesses, and other public spaces. As a facility manager, it’s your responsibility to not only have an AED readily available but also to make sure it is functioning properly when it’s needed most. This means maintaining it over the years. But what does AED maintenance involve? It’s actually a lot simpler than you think.
In short, you only need to conduct monthly checkups and replace the battery and electrode pads per the manufacturer’s requirements. So, even though AEDs can seem complicated, maintaining them is actually a piece of cake.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about maintaining your AED—from monthly checks to replacing parts and proper storage.
How To Maintain Your AED
1. Perform Monthly Checks
AED maintenance comes down to simply performing a quick monthly check to ensure it’s functioning properly and free of any damage.
Here's what to check for:
- Check for physical damage: Examine the device’s casing and ensure it remains free of cracks, dents, or other visible damage.
- Battery Status: Is the battery in place and operational? Many AEDs have battery indicator lights; check that the light is green or “ready.”
- Electrode Pads: Are the electrode pads intact and unexpired? These pads typically last 2-4 years, so note their expiration date.
2. Test the Self-Check Feature
Most modern AEDs often have a self-check mechanism that runs automatically. Verify that the device passes these self-tests by checking the status indicator and any accompanying manuals or logs. If the device fails its self-check, consult your AED provider or the manufacturer immediately.
3. Replace Batteries and Pads as Recommended by the Manufacturer
As we stated at the beginning of this blog, the most important thing to keep in check when it comes to your AED is the battery and the electrode pads. These are the only parts of your AED that will “expire” and render the device unusable. Failing to replace these on time could mean the difference between saving a life and a device that’s useless when it’s needed most.
Battery Replacement
Most AED batteries last between 2-5 years, depending on the manufacturer. Always use the manufacturer-recommended battery for replacements, and never wait until it runs out completely to order a new one—doing so could risk the lifesaving capacity of your device. If the expiration date is coming up make sure to place an order ASAP.
Electrode Pads
Even if unused, electrode pads degrade over time. Replace them as they near their stated expiration date on the device. And if you do use them, they must be replaced immediately to ensure the AED is ready for future emergencies.
We recommend keeping a log of when the parts expire, when you order them, and when you replace them to make sure you don’t miss an expiration date.
How Many Times Can an AED Be Used?
You might be wondering, ok, so what happens after I use my AED? Can I use it again? Is it out of commission? The good news is most AEDs are built to last and can be used dozens, even hundreds, of times if maintained correctly. There’s just one key point to remember:
- After every use, the electrode pads must be replaced, and the battery level should be checked.
So once the situation is handled and hopefully a life is saved, make sure to order new batteries and electrode pads so you can be prepared for the next one.
Why is AED Maintenance So Important?
Imagine that you're at your workplace, talking to a coworker in the hallway. Suddenly, they clutch their chest and collapse, falling to the ground and becoming unresponsive. They have no pulse and are unresponsive. You start doing CPR and call for someone to bring an AED over. You press the on button but the device won’t power on. The battery is dead. Or maybe the pads have dried out, and you’re struggling to get them to adhere to the skin. The only thing you can do is continue CPR to keep blood flowing while waiting for emergency responders.
The result in both these scenarios is a critical delay in life-saving treatment, which significantly reduces the person's chances of survival.
Without CPR or defibrillation, survival rates drop drastically—brain damage can start within 4-6 minutes, and the chance of survival decreases by about 7-10% per minute without defibrillation.
This is why it is so crucial to make sure your AED is always fully functional. You literally don’t have seconds to waste in a cardiac emergency, whether that's fumbling with the pads or trying to replace the battery, and in the end, just having to wait for an ambulance to come.
“Customer service has been amazing with this purchase. Thank you for going the extra mile and doing it so quickly!”
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Upgrade or Replace Your AED with The Help of AED First Response
Properly maintaining an AED can make all the difference in an emergency. With regular checks and timely replacements of batteries and pads, you can guarantee that your AED is ready for action in the event of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA).
If you don’t yet have an AED or need assistance with upgrading your current device, contact AED First Response today. Our team is here to guide you through the entire process, from choosing the right AED for your facility to education and resources on proper maintenance practices.
Plus, with AED First Response, you never have to worry about keeping track of your AED’s maintenance schedule. We track your AED for life and provide free email reminders when your battery or pads are nearing expiration, ensuring your device is always ready when you need it most.
Call us at 888.462.9502 or email us at customerservice@aedfirstresponse.com. Together, we can make sure that your facility is equipped with lifesaving technology for Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA).
