How to Maintain and Test Your Defibrillator for Maximum Safety

Investing in a defibrillator could save lives. However, having one that’s easily accessible is only a small part of the picture. To ensure your defibrillator works effectively in an emergency, regular maintenance and testing are essential. All defibrillators are designed to carry out their own regular self-tests but it’s still important to ensure you carry out regular checks so it’s ready to use in an emergency.

In this guide, we’ll explain how to properly maintain and test your AED, whether it’s in a school, workplace, sports facility or community hub.

Why does defibrillator maintenance matter?

You might think that buying a defibrillator and making sure anyone who needs it has access to it is all you need to do. While AEDs are designed to be user-friendly and low maintenance, if you want to make sure it works when it’s really needed, regular checks are needed. Checking on your defibrillator on a regular basis will mean that you’re aware of when the pads and battery expire, whether or your defibrillator has been used, whether the unit is functioning correctly and whether there’s damage to the defibrillator.

A defibrillator that fails to work in an emergency can have devastating consequences so regular upkeep will give you peace of mind and could save a life.

Registering your defibrillator on The Circuit will mean you receive regular reminders to record your defibrillator checks, so you know exactly when they were carried out.

Top defibrillator checks

Every defibrillator manufacturer e.g. Zoll, Philips, Defibtech, Heartsine, will provide a manual or booklet which explains how to provide maintenance care for that particular defibrillator. Familiarising yourself with this is an important step when it comes to looking after your defibrillator but here are the steps we recommend following so that your defibrillator works in an emergency.

Check for internal or external damage

Check the unit and case for physical damage such as cracks, water damage or other issues. These will all prevent your defibrillator from operating effectively in an emergency and may mean that it needs to be replaced. Most defibrillators perform a regular self-check so if something’s wrong, the defibrillator will tell you. Check your manufacturer’s guidelines to find out more about how your AED signals that there is a problem.

Check batteries

Regularly check that the battery hasn’t expired and is working correctly. The battery light is usually a green light that flashes intermittently to show that the battery is charged and working.

Check that the batteries are still within their expiry date. Defibrillator batteries have a shelf life of between two to seven years so we always recommend keeping a record of your expiry date so you know exactly when to replace it but regular checks can cover this too.

Check pads 

Defibrillator pads are the key component of a defibrillator as they deliver the shock to the patient. It’s essential that these are in date and functioning for your defibrillator to work effectively when needed.

Expired pads may lose adhesion or conductivity which means they won’t work when needed. Always store pads in sealed packaging and avoid exposing them to moisture or extreme temperatures.

We recommend setting digital calendar reminders a month before expiry dates so you have time to reorder pads and make sure they’re in-situ.

Check other equipment

An AED often has other components with it to help in an emergency. Check that these components are with your defibrillator and ready for use when needed. Other components may include:

• CPR face shield or pocket mask to protect the person delivering CPR
•       Scissors to remove clothing
•       Disposable razor to shave areas that pads need to be placed
•       Cleaning wipes or a towel to clean and dry the area for the pads to be placed
•       Check your manufacturer’s guidelines or internal records to find out what should be included with your defibrillator.

Run self-tests or manual tests

Most modern AEDs perform automatic daily self-checks daily, weekly, or monthly. These typically check:

•        Internal circuitry
•        Software integrity
•         Battery function
•         Pad connection status

You can manually initiate a test during your maintenance check to see whether your defibrillator is working properly. Or review the device’s event log which is available on some models to check for any errors that have arisen as part of the self-checks.

If your AED fails a test or shows a fault code, do not ignore it. Contact our support team or your AED manufacturer immediately for guidance.

Check signage and accessibility

As part of your regular checks, not only is it important for the defibrillator to be working, it also needs to be easily located in an emergency situation. Ensure wall signage and location markers are clear and easy to see, the AED cabinet is clean, functional and easy to open and any outdoor cabinets are heated and alarmed if required to prevent damage.

Record maintenance checks

Keep a logbook or digital record of all the maintenance activities you carry out in relation to your AED, including:

•         Date checked
•        Battery and pad expiry dates
•        Faults or incidents
•      If the AED has been used and when

This information is particularly important in environments such as schools, healthcare settings or workplaces as it demonstrates compliance and helps with internal audits or health and safety reviews.

What to do if your defibrillator has been used

If your AED has been used, this will prompt checks outside your normal maintenance checks and will require further action.

Here are the steps to take:

•   Replace used components such as pads which can only be used once and restock items such as gloves, face shields or razors. Depending on your AED model, you might need to replace the battery after a single use but some units can deliver multiple shocks with one battery.
•       Download or retrieve event data including time of use, ECG data and shock delivery details as this information can be important for medical professionals.
•       Clean and inspect the AED – wipe the unit down using wipes or a mild disinfectant, inspect for damage to the device and ensure no debris has entered the unit.
•           Perform a full system check by performing a manual self-check to confirm your defibrillator’s status indictor shows its rescue ready and then check the replacement pads and battery have been installed correctly.
•           Document the incident by keeping a written record of when and where it was used, who used it, maintenance performed afterwards and any faults or error codes that may have appeared. You will need this information for health and safety reporting.
•        Notify Emergency services (if required) – if your AED is registered with The Circuit, update your defibrillator’s status or inform your local ambulance service that the unit has been used and is being serviced or restocked.

How Defib4Life can help

At Defib4Life, we don’t just sell defibrillators, we support you throughout the life of your device.

We offer a range of maintenance services to help you ensure your defibrillator is working when needed in an emergency. Our services include:

•         6-8 week defibrillator guardian care maintenance check
•        Annual defibrillator maintenance check and clean

These maintenance packages will provide you with peace of mind that your defibrillator is ready to save a life when needed.

An AED is one of the most important safety investments you can make. But to ensure it’s ready when it counts, regular checks and maintenance are essential.

If you have any questions about your defibrillator or you’d like help setting up a maintenance plan, contact the Defib4Life team today.