Best defibrillators for use in the car: Choosing the right travel AED

Carrying a defibrillator in your car can provide peace of mind and potentially save a life in the event of a sudden cardiac arrest. You might travel long distances for work, travel regularly to a remote place, transport vulnerable family members, manage a fleet of vehicles or just want to be protected while you’re out on the road.

It’s common to see defibrillators attached to the walls in cabinets in public spaces and workplaces but a car defibrillator needs to be compact, reliable, easy to store and durable enough to withstand the changing temperatures of being in a car overnight and in the day.

In this blog, we’ll look at why you should keep a defibrillator in your car, the features to look out for and which AEDs are most suitable for your car.

Why should you keep a defibrillator in the car?

Sudden cardiac arrest can happen anywhere, it doesn’t matter whether you’re at work, travelling or at home. Having fast access to a defibrillator dramatically increases the chances of survival, especially when used in the first few minutes alongside CPR.

Public access defibrillators are now available in a range of community spaces and workplaces but, when you’re on the road, these might not always be easily accessible. If you’re travelling on the motorway, along rural routes or on long distance journeys, the nearest defibrillator could be too far away to reach in an emergency.

Having a car defibrillator gives you lifesaving equipment wherever you go, whether you need to treat a family member, passenger, colleague or are the first responder in a traffic collision.

For more information on keeping a defibrillator in your car, read our blog: Should you keep a defibrillator (AED) in your car? Risks, benefits and best practices.

Who could benefit from an AED in the car?

More and more people are choosing to carry a defibrillator in their car so they’re not relying on being able to get to a public access AED easily. Here are some of the people and organisations who might benefit from having a car defibrillator:

• Families with elderly relatives or known heart conditions: Many people choose to have a defibrillator at home to protect family members who might have a known heart condition. Here’s a real-life customer story to show how important this is. Having one in your car is no different. If you regularly travel with vulnerable relatives, having an AED in the car can provide added peace of mind.
• Carers and healthcare professionals: Carers are often on the road and treating patients in various locations throughout the day. Having a portable AED in the car can provide immediate support in an emergency, rather than waiting for emergency services to arrive.
• Transport providers: Taxi drivers, coach services, patient transport services and school transport providers carry passengers of all ages. A defibrillator adds an extra layer of protection, especially for businesses that are responsible for passenger safety.
• Company fleets and mobile workers: For employees travelling regularly, having an AED can form part of the organisation’s workplace safety planning to ensure employees are protected when they’re out on the road.
• Rural businesses and remote workers: Farmers, estate workers, contractors and anyone working in rural or remote areas can face longer ambulance response times and limited access to public AEDs so having access to a portable defibrillator can provide added protection in an emergency. 

What to look for when choosing an AED for your car

Not every AED is suitable for storing in your car so it’s important to find the right model with the features you need.

Here are some of the most important features to consider:

• Compact and lightweight design
• Temperature tolerance
• Long life battery and pads
• Clear voice and visual instructions
• Fully automatic operation

Having a defibrillator that’s compact means it can be easily stored in the boot, behind a seat or in a work van without taking up too much room. In addition, it’s important to consider an AED that can withstand the fluctuating temperature changes of a car throughout the year and something that’s low maintenance and easy to use.

Best defibrillators for use in the car

Here’s a selection of the defibrillators we’d recommend for use in your car.

HeartHero Elliot Fully Automatic Defibrillator

The HeartHero Elliot Fully Automatic Defibrillator is the perfect device to have in the car due to its lightweight design, portability and simple operation. This AED has been designed with portability in mind so is perfect for storing in your car.

Key features include:

• Fully automatic operation
• Clear audio and visual prompts
• Intuitive start mechanism
• Automatic self-testing
• Exclusive app allows tracking of battery life, pad condition and rescue readiness

Philips HeartStart HS1 Semi-Automatic Defibrillator

The Philips HeartStart HS1 Semi-Automatic Defibrillator is another device we’d recommend for use in the car due to its compact size and portability.

The key features of this device include:

• Clear, calm audio instructions to guide the user through defibrillation and CPR
• Automatic self-testing
• Can be used on both adults and children
• SMART analysis so a shock is only delivered if it’s needed

Can you keep a defibrillator in your car permanently?

A defibrillator is an important piece of equipment to carry in your car but a common question is whether it’s safe to keep a defibrillator in your car all the time. The short answer is usually no.

Modern AEDs are designed to be extremely durable and reliable but are sensitive medical devices with batteries, electrode pads and internal components that can be affected by extreme temperatures and moisture. Leaving a defibrillator in your car permanently without considering these factors can affect the performance of your device over time and mean it’s not suitable for use when you really need it.

Understanding how and where to store your AED is essential for ensuring you have a rescue ready device.

The biggest challenge when keeping a defibrillator in your car is temperature changes. In summer, the inside of a parked car can become extremely hot, especially when parked in direct sunlight. In winter, cold overnight temperatures can also cause problems.

Most AED manufacturers recommend storing defibrillators within 0°C and 50°C, depending on the model.

Always check the manufacturer’s guidelines on the ideal temperature conditions for the defibrillator of your choice.

If you travel regularly, keeping the AED in your car is the best option so here’s what you can do to protect it when storing it:

• Take the AED indoors overnight 
• Avoid leaving the device in your car for long periods of time during hot weather 
• Park in shaded or sheltered areas where possible
• Keep the device away from direct sunlight 

Is it worth investing in a defibrillator for your car?

For many people, carrying a defibrillator in the car can provide added peace of mind and access to lifesaving equipment when it really matters. If you travel regularly or travel to remote areas, access to public defibrillators can be difficult. Plus, drivers are often first responders in emergencies that occur at the roadside, at service stations and within the community because they’re always on the move. This is a key reason for CPR and defibrillator use being introduced to the driving theory test in the UK.

Carrying a defibrillator with you in the car can reduce emergency response times and improve the chances of survival when sudden cardiac arrest occurs. For families with relatives with existing heart conditions, professionals working remotely, or businesses responsible for the safety of staff, a car AED can be worth the investment.

Find the right AED for your car

Browse our full range of AEDs to find the perfect device for your car. If you need additional advice and guidance, please contact our expert customer service team.