Switched Off for the Year? Make Sure Your AED Isn’t

Check the Status Indicator

Your first move in checking your AED is to check the status indicator – it should have a "Ready" or "OK" status to indicate it is ready for use.

However, it's important to remember that the status indicator only tells part of the story. A status indicator/light is not a guarantee that your AED will shock.

Do a Visual Check

After checking the status indicator, there are a number of visual checks you should perform to inspect your AED.

Check for damage – Does your AED have any missing parts, cracks, chips out of the case or dents? If it appears to have been dropped (or you know it has), it's important you get it checked by professionals like Heart Saver.

Check the battery – has it expired?

Check all other equipment such as the wax strip, the carry bag and the cabinet (if you have one) – is it all in working order? Does your cabinet open easily? Do the bag zips run smoothly?

Is your AED making any noises, such as a chirp? Does it have any weird lights flashing that you're not sure about? Don't ignore it – check your user manual to see what this means for your particular model.

To help keep track of your monthly checks, consider using an AED Test Tag which allows you to see at a glance when your AED was last checked.

Pay Attention to the Pads

When inspecting AEDs, we sometimes find the unit has been used and no one has replaced the pads, or the adhesiveness of the pads has degraded over time, making the device ineffective.

It's important to check the electrode pads – have they expired? Are any missing? Have they been opened? If this is the case, you'll need new ones, as their adhesiveness may be compromised. 

Please note: pads can only be used once – you will need replacements if you have used your set.

On average, pads should be replaced every two years and batteries every four years. This can vary by model so please check your user manual. Remember to always follow the manufacturer’s replacement guidelines.

To learn more about why AED pads expire, please see our blog post here.

Get Your Annual Performance Test

Ongoing maintenance of your AED is important. We recommend all AEDs are checked once a year, to make sure the unit is ready to go when and if you need it, and to show you have exercised due care.

Heart Saver offers nationwide testing, conducted on-site by our trained professionals, using internationally recognised and industry-leading AED/Defibrillator Analysis equipment and testing procedures.

This AED Health Check provides independent verification of the output of the AED, running through a range of physical, functional and electrical tests to confirm it is capable of performing safely.

Contact us for more information.