Do You Need Defibrillator Maintenance?

A defibrillator also known as an AED (Automated External Defibrillator), stands as a critical tool in the face of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), a life-threatening emergency where the heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops beating. The timely use of an AED can be a decisive factor in the survival of a SCA victim, with research indicating that using a defib within the first five minutes of a sudden cardiac arrest can increase the chance of survival from 7% to 80%. So, ensuring your device is always rescue-ready can mean the difference between life and death. That is why most companies may recommend that you regularly have defibrillator maintenance. But does your AED need professional maintenance, and what is it?

What is Defibrillator Maintenance?

Whilst having a public access defibrillator (PAD) is essential in aiding in the improvement of SCA survival rates, its mere presence is not enough. Regular maintenance is paramount to ensuring that if it is needed in a cardiac emergency, your device will be able to operate properly and effectively. Shockingly, studies have found that 40% of PADs are not properly maintained, potentially jeopardizing their reliability when they are needed most and leading to serious consequences such as defib failure, which has been associated with over 1000s of sudden cardiac arrest deaths.

Simply having a defibrillator is not enough, you need to maintain it regularly to ensure if it is needed in a cardiac emergency, it would be able to function properly and effectively. Studies have shown that 40% of public access defibrillators (PADs) are not properly maintained, with over 50% of PADs having expired pads or batteries. Failing to maintain your defibrillator can have serious consequences such as defib failure, which has been associated with over 1000s of sudden cardiac arrest deaths.

Defibrillator maintenance primarily consists of:

• A visual inspection of the device to check for any damaged or missing components. That could affect your defibrillator’s performance.
• Check your pads and battery to ensure that they are in date. Studies found that more than 50% of PADs have expired pads or batteries, which can render the device useless.
• A shock test is to see if the defibrillator will administer a shock at the correct energy level and when appropriate (shockable heart rhythm) and not shock when appropriate (non-shockable heart rhythm). If you would like to learn more about shockable and non-shockable rhythms, please visit our blog.
• A software update check and reset any fault codes as needed. This ensures that the system is running on the latest software versions and that any detected faults are promptly resolved.

Do you need defibrillator maintenance?

Unless you own multiple defibrillators that are across multiple locations, simply just do not have the time, or if you apply to a specific regulation, we would not recommend having defibrillator maintenance.

Why you do not need defibrillator maintenance:

• You can perform the service yourself. It is important to understand that many of the checks and maintenance tasks typically performed by a professional can be easily managed by individuals themselves. For instance, routine checks on crucial components like the pads and battery can be conducted by users without the need for specialised expertise. If you would like to learn how to maintain your defibrillator by yourself, for free, please check out our how-to video.
• Shock tests aren’t necessary. Shock testing your device can inadvertently accelerate battery depletion. This accelerated depletion could mean having to replace your battery sooner than anticipated, leading to unnecessary expenses. By refraining from unnecessary shock tests, you can prolong the lifespan of your defibrillator’s battery and avoid premature replacements, not only saving money on the maintenance cost but also on your device.

The importance of registering your defibrillator to The Circuit:

The Circuit is a vital platform that connects the ambulance service directly to nearby public access defibrillators during cardiac emergencies. By registering your device, you’re not only helping ensure quicker access to critical treatment when every second counts, but The Circuit will also help you manage and maintain your defib.

The site will inform you of any event regarding your device, for example, when your pads and/or battery are about to expire, or when your device is used to treat a cardiac arrest victim.

Defibrillators we stock are in our shop, if you do need your defibrillator professionally serviced, this service can also be found in our shop.

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