Could your defibrillator fail in an emergency? What it really means if your defibrillator is delisted

Having a defibrillator in your school, workplace or local community is more than just a box ticking exercise. It’s one of the most important pieces of life-saving equipment you can own so it’s important that you maintain it and that it’s accessible to ensure that it’s ready to save a life when it’s really needed.

But what happens if the model you rely on has been delisted or discontinued?

This has happened to a number of popular models, with parts no longer manufactured or supported. If your AED is on this list, it’s crucial to understand exactly what it means, the risks of holding onto an outdated device and the options available to you.

This guide will tell you everything you need to know and what you should do if your current defibrillator model has been delisted by the manufacturer.

What does it mean when a defibrillator is delisted?

Delisted or end-of-life defibrillators are models that are no longer actively supported by the manufacturer or approved under current medical device regulations. For you, as a customer, this usually means:

• There are no new units available for purchase because the manufacturer no longer produces them, and it’s been discontinued
• Consumables are no longer produced so you won’t be able to get hold of replacement pads or batteries
• Technical support is no longer available so if your AED fails, you won’t be able to have it serviced
• There is a risk of non-compliance and your organisation may fall short of health and safety or insurance requirements

Remember that you might still be able to switch your delisted AED on but, without replacement parts and manufacturer’s support, there’s no guarantee that it will work in an emergency.

Why does it matter whether your defibrillator is delisted?

Sudden cardiac arrest is a time-critical emergency. For every minute without CPR or defibrillation, chances of survival drop by around 10%.  You need your AED to be 100% reliable at all times. You don’t want to come to use it in an emergency only to find the pads have expired and there’s no way you can get hold of any spares.

If your device has been delisted and you haven’t maintained it or checked on it for a while, you may have the following problems:

• You won’t be able to replace pads and batteries
• The AED could display errors or fail to deliver a shock
• Your organisation may not be compliant with current guidance
• Lives could be at risk if the AED doesn’t work when it’s really needed

We always recommend regular maintenance for your defibrillator to ensure that pads and batteries are still in date, the unit powers on and it’s in working order. Part of these checks should include checking the manufacturer’s guidance to make sure your defibrillator is still supported.

If it’s been delisted, in many cases, the manufacturers will provide pads and batteries for a little while longer for existing customers. However, after a while, they will stop manufacturing them, so you need to make sure you have spares and, eventually, replace your defibrillator.

Which defibrillators have been delisted or are no longer available?

Several widely used defibrillators have now been delisted or are no longer available to buy. This might be because it’s been delisted, replaced by a newer device that follows current guidelines or the manufacturer has had trouble sourcing parts.

You might find that you can source different batteries or pads for your delisted AED, but it’s not recommended and could compromise your device’s reliability.

Defibrillators to be aware of include:

Lifepak CR Plus

The Lifepak CR Plus defibrillator has been discontinued by its manufacturer. It is an older model that has been replaced by newer, more advanced models, so the manufacturer has decided to retire it.

Any AED purchased before 1^st April 2019 will still carry the 8-year manufacturer’s warranty, and Physio-Control/Stryker has stated that they will continue to support the device with services, batteries and pads.

If you own this device, please be aware that, eventually, pads and batteries will no longer be available, and you will need to upgrade your device.

The Lifepak CR2 fully automatic and semi-automatic defibrillators replace this device.

CellAED

The CellAED device was withdrawn from the market due to regulatory compliance issues. Reports suggested that the CellAED faced challenges in meeting the UK’s stringent safety and performance standards, which ensure reliability in emergency situations.

If you currently own a CellAED device, your device is still safe to use until its expiry date and should be used in an emergency if you don’t have an alternative solution. However, we recommend looking for a replacement before the expiry date to ensure your organisation stays rescue-ready.

Again, the Lifepak CR2 fully automatic and semi-automatic defibrillators are perfect replacements for this device.

Philips HeartStart FR2

In 2012, Philips announced their decision to discontinue this device and seven years later, announced end of life support for this model. This means you will no longer be able to buy replacement pads and batteries for this device and should look to replace it before your current accessories expire.

Your Philips HeartStart FR2 defibrillator can be upgraded to either the HeartStart HS1 or the HeartStart FRx models. You will also receive a discount through our buy-back promotion.

Powerheart G3 Elite

This device is no longer in production due to manufacturer problems with sourcing critical components. Production ended on 31^st March 2023, but the manufacturer will be continuing to support existing devices for the complete warranty period remaining on its devices.

If you currently own this device, check your warranty expiry and pad and battery expiry dates, and plan to replace it before these dates.

Replacements for this defibrillator include:

• Powerheart G5
• Zoll Semi-Automatic and Automatic AED 3
• Zoll AED Plus Automatic and Semi-Automatic Defibrillator  

Heartsine Samaritan 350p, 360p and 500p

The manufacturer Stryker has conducted an urgent recall of these three models due to a manufacturing problem with a circuit board component, which can impact the device’s ability to function properly. Once the problem occurs, the device becomes inoperable which means it may not work in an emergency.

Please visit Stryker’s website for a full list of the serial numbers affected and check them against your defibrillator.

If you have one of these devices, you can contact Stryker, who will organise a replacement device for you, or you can contact us at Defib4Life and we’d be happy to advise you on what you need to do.

It is recommended that you keep using your defibrillator until a replacement device is available.

What should you do if your AED is delisted?

If your defibrillator is on the list above or you have any other defibrillator that’s been delisted, here’s what we recommend doing:

1. Check the current status of your device

• Check the pad and battery expiry dates to see how long is left
• Check with the manufacturer about whether replacements are still available

2. Assess the risks

• If consumables are unavailable, your device might already be non-functional
• Even if the device powers on today, there’s no guarantee it will be reliable when you need it 

 3. Plan for a replacement 

•      Budget for a modern, supported AED that will work when you need it in an emergency
•     Choose a model with a long shelf life and with consumable supply available 

 4. Dispose of old units responsibly

•        Defibrillators contain electronic and lithium battery components that require safe disposal, so if you need to recycle an old defibrillator, it needs to be done safely. Defib4Life offers a defibrillator recycling scheme, so you can send your old defibrillator to us and we’ll take care of recycling it.

Why you shouldn’t delay when it comes to replacing a delisted AED

When you find out that your defibrillator has been delisted, it can be tempting to keep it until it completely stops working. But, this comes with considerable risks. For example, if the pads or batteries expire, the AED may be useless. Many industries must also meet health and safety standards, so using a delisted AED could leave you liable.

Acting early and replacing your defibrillator before it becomes a problem will ensure your community, staff or visitors stay protected.

FAQs about delisted defibrillators

Can I still use my delisted AED?

Yes, but only if the pads and batteries are still in date. Once they expire, you may not be able to replace them, and they will no longer be effective.

How long do I have to replace a delisted defibrillator?

This depends on how much longer the manufacturer plans to offer end of life support. Once a delisting is announced, most manufacturers will honour the current warranty and continue to provide pads and batteries throughout this time.

Once the end-of-life support ends, it’s best to replace your defibrillator as soon as possible so you can ensure your organisation stays rescue ready.

Are delisted AEDs illegal?

They are not illegal, but they are not recommended due to reliability and compliance issues.

How do I know what a good replacement for my delisted defibrillator is?

Defib4Life supplies a range of current, supported devices that are a match for the defibrillators listed above, all backed with long-term manufacturer support. If you’d like advice on which defibrillator you need, please contact our team and we’ll be happy to help.

Defib4Life’s buy-back scheme

Replacing a defibrillator can be a bit of a headache. That’s why we offer a buy-back scheme, which can take the stress out of upgrading.

Let us know which AED you have, and we’ll help you find an alternative device. Trading in your delisted model can help towards the cost of buying a new one. We’ll send you the brand-new device once it’s been ordered and we can even help you maintain it so you can ensure it’s always rescue ready.

If you send us your old device, we’ll even recycle it or dispose of it safely so it’s one less thing for you to worry about.

Stay rescue ready with Defib4Life

At Defib4Life, our mission is to raise awareness of defibrillators and ensure that all communities, organisations and schools are rescue ready with a fully functional, working AED.

If you own a delisted AED, contact us today for more advice and for help with finding a fully supported, reliable replacement.