Does my defibrillator really need recycling?

At Defib4Life, we offer a recycling service that allows you to send expired or out of warranty defibrillators to us so they can be safely recycled.

However, we’re seeing more and more defibrillators being sent in that don’t need to be recycled. Many of the devices are out of warranty but, when they arrive with us, they’re still rescue ready. They pass their self-tests, the status light is green, and, in many cases, the pads and batteries are still within date.

At the same time, we speak to so many organisations who are desperately trying to raise the funds to buy a defibrillator.

Which raises important questions…

Does your defibrillator really need to be recycled? When should you recycle your defibrillator? And when is it ok to continue using it?

We’ll bust these myths in this blog so you know exactly when to recycle your defibrillator and when you can continue to use it safely.

My defibrillator is out of warranty, should I replace it?

This is a common question we’re asked, and the answer is often no.

Many people assume that once the manufacturer’s warranty on your defibrillator has expired or the defibrillator is no longer supported by the manufacturer, it is not safe to use and needs to be replaced immediately. 

In fact, an expired warranty does not mean that the device is faulty, unsafe or no longer suitable for use. Like any other product, the warranty is the period during which it is guaranteed by the manufacturer and repairs, support or replacement parts will be provided.

At the end of your warranty, the device doesn’t automatically stop working or become unsafe. In fact, many AEDs will continue to work for years beyond the end of their warranty period as long as they are still:

• Passing their self-tests
• Showing they are rescue ready
• Fitted with pads and batteries that are in date

As long as you continue to maintain your defibrillator and continue with regular checks, you can continue to use it safely. You may encounter problems if your defibrillator has been entered into end-of-life support by the manufacturer and consumables are difficult to get hold of. However, your device will continue to be safe to use as long as the pads and battery are in date so you could get another few years out of it depending on their lifespan.

Read more about what to do if your device is delisted in our blog: What it really means if your defibrillator is delisted.

What does rescue ready actually mean?

Most defibrillators perform their own self-tests and will tell you if there’s a problem. Depending on the model, they perform daily, weekly or monthly checks to ensure they’re rescue ready and will usually display a green status light to tell you when they’re ready for use.

If there is a fault, your device will show a warning light, beep or error message. Unless this happens, your defibrillator should be capable of delivering a shock if needed.

These status checks are often a far better indicator of whether your defibrillator can still be used rather than simply looking at the expiry date.

The hidden cost of replacing your defibrillator too early

Replacing a defibrillator before you need to can be expensive and investing in a device is a significant investment for many organisations. So, if a rescue ready device still has years of service left, replacing it too early can mean:

• Wasting money that could have been spent elsewhere
• Creating unnecessary electronic waste
• Disposing of perfectly usable equipment

We regularly hear from organisations that are desperate to install a defibrillator but simply cannot afford one. Meanwhile, we’re receiving defibrillators that are still perfectly capable of saving a life.

So, that’s why we’re encouraging you to stop and think before replacing an older device: Does it really need to be recycled?

Why are perfectly good defibrillators being thrown away?

There are a number of reasons why organisations are so quick to replace defibrillators that potentially have plenty of life left in them:

Fear of liability

Many organisations worry that if they have an older or out of warranty device, they could be held responsible if it failed in an emergency. While liability can become an issue, if the defibrillator is rescue ready, regularly maintained and supported with replacement consumables, it can still be used and liability shouldn’t be an issue.

Lack of clear information

There can be confusion between the following elements of defibrillator ownership:

• Warranty period
• Recommended lifespan
• End of manufacturer support
• Actual condition of the device

These are not always the same thing. A defibrillator can be out of warranty but still function and be able to deliver a shock in an emergency. At the same time, a defibrillator can be well within its warranty period but still need replacing because it has a fault or can no longer be maintained.

Supply challenges can also cause confusion around whether your defibrillator can be used in an emergency or not. We recommend checking with your manufacturer to understand whether it’s a temporary supply problem or whether your device is likely to be withdrawn from the market. Either way, if you have life left in your pads and battery, you can continue to operate your defibrillator.

Sales pressure

Sometimes organisations can be pushed to upgrade their device because a new device with updated features is available. Newer defibrillators might have better features but, if it’s been maintained, your existing device will serve the same purpose as a newer model; it will still save a life.

Having a newer model available does not automatically mean your older model is unusable.

What should you check before deciding whether your defibrillator has life left in it?

Before replacing your defibrillator, it’s worth thinking about the following factors:

1. Are the battery and pads still in date?

This is the most important factor to consider. AED pads and batteries usually have a lifespan of 2-5 years. Even if they’ve never been used, they degrade over time so need to be replaced when they reach their expiry date.

If your pads and battery have expired, they will need to be replaced immediately to ensure your defibrillator is still safe to use.

If your device is out of warranty but the manufacturer is still supplying these consumables, your device is still safe to use. When the manufacturer no longer supplies these and they’re near their expiry date, it’s time for a replacement.

For more information on when your pads and batteries need to be replaced, read our blogs why defibrillator pads expire – and how to stay prepared and when should I replace the batteries in my defibrillator?

2. Does the manufacturer still support your device?

Check whether your current defibrillator model is still supported by the manufacturer. Some older defibrillators are now being discontinued by the manufacturer which means repairs and consumables will no longer be provided.

If the manufacturer has withdrawn replacement parts, software updates and servicing, replacement is more urgent because, if your defibrillator fails, you’re left unprotected in an emergency with no way to fix your device.

3. Are there any recalls or safety notices?

We recommend looking your device up to check for any recalls. Older units have experienced issues so it’s important to regularly check in with your manufacturer for updates.  

If your device is affected, we recommend replacing or servicing your defibrillator immediately to ensure your organisation is still protected.

When should a defibrillator be replaced and recycled?

As you can see, there are a number of factors that influence whether or not you should replace or recycle your defibrillator.

We usually recommend replacing your defibrillator if:

• It no longer passes its self-tests
• The device has physical damage
• The manufacturer no longer supports the model
• Replacement pads or batteries are no longer available
• The device has reached the manufacturer’s stated end of life
• There are known reliability issues with that model

In these cases, keeping your defibrillator in service could mean that it fails to deliver a shock during an emergency.

When your defibrillator has genuinely reached the end of its usable life, it should not be thrown into general waste.

Defibrillators contain electrical components and lithium batteries so need to be disposed of responsibly.

Does your defibrillator still have life left in it?

Being out of warranty does not always mean your defibrillator should be immediately placed out of action and replaced.

A defibrillator that is still well maintained, supported by the manufacturer and rescue ready can be suitable for use long after the warranty period has ended.

So, before making the decision to replace your device, take a moment to check whether it really needs to be replaced. You could save money and reduce waste by not replacing a fully operational device.

If you’re not sure whether your defibrillator should be recycled or not, please contact our expert customer service team. We’d be happy to help you understand how much life your defibrillator has left and help you find a suitable replacement.

When sending a defibrillator to us for recycling, please fill in our form and let us know exactly what you’re sending in and then stick a piece of paper in the box, so we know where your defib came from!