Leasing a defibrillator: Making life-saving equipment more accessible to businesses

For many businesses, buying a defibrillator is something they know they need to do but finding room in the budget can be challenging. The initial cost of a device can often be difficult to find but leasing a defibrillator can make that investment much easier by spreading the cost over an agreed period of time. 

 Defib4Life is proud to announce that we have partnered with Shire Leasing to help more businesses provide defibrillators at their premises through regular payments. This enables us to offer a leasing option across our full range of defibrillators for agreed terms of two, three, four or five years. 

Why having a defibrillator in your workplace matters

A cardiac arrest can occur anywhere, at any time to anyone. When it happens, the patient needs help immediately and the actions taken before the ambulance arrives can make a critical difference. 

Calling 999, starting CPR and using an automated external defibrillator (AED) as soon as one is available within the first few minutes can significantly improve their chances of survival. Having a defibrillator that’s easily accessible and rescue ready on your premises enables anyone on-site to respond quickly if an employee, customer or visitor suffers a cardiac arrest. 

AEDs are designed for anyone to use; you don’t need to have had training to use one. Defibrillators provide audible and visual prompts to guide the user and analyse the patient’s heart rhythm to determine whether a shock is needed.  

At Defib4Life, our mission is to help more businesses and communities access life-saving equipment. Being able to lease a defibrillator that you then own at the end of the agreed term offers another way to make the investment in equipment possible when the upfront cost is a barrier. 

Why now is a good time to review your workplace first aid provision

Changes to workplace first aid standards have prompted more businesses to review their first aid provision. The 2026 update to BS 8599-1 now includes the provision and placement of workplace defibrillators and bleed kits which means AEDs now play a bigger part in first aid planning.

The changes do not mean that defibrillators are compulsory in every workplace, but it provides an opportunity to assess whether your existing equipment meets your organisation and premises needs. Our guide to changes to workplace first aid provision explains more about why a standard first aid kit may no longer be enough. If your assessment identifies the need for a defibrillator, leasing can make that investment more manageable. 

How does leasing a defibrillator work?

Defib4Life’s partnership with Shire Leasing enables you to choose the right defibrillator for your workplace and spread the cost over an agreed repayment period.  

Our team will guide you through the process:

• Choose your device: Talk to our team about your premises and needs and our team can help you choose a suitable model.
• Explore payment options: Review the available terms and choose something that suits your budget.
• Consider maintenance: Decide whether you want to add a maintenance package to support the ongoing upkeep of your AED.

 You do not need to have a specific model in mind before contacting us. If you’re not sure which device is right for your business, talk to our team about your business and the needs of your premises and our team will help you get started. 

What are the benefits of leasing a defibrillator for your business? 

Spread the cost and keep business funds available

Spreading the full cost of the defibrillator across a longer period of time allows you to budget for a defibrillator alongside the day-to-day running costs of your business, without having to find the full purchase price up front. This can be particularly helpful if you need multiple devices. This can make the investment more manageable. 

Access our full range of defibrillators

Leasing is available across our full range of defibrillators so you can choose the device that suits your business and needs.  

Choose a repayment period that works for you

Terms of two, three, four and five years give you the flexibility to spread the cost. Compare the regular payments and total amount payable with buying outright to decide which option is best for your business. 

How much does it cost to lease a defibrillator?

The leasing cost will depend on the defibrillator you choose, the agreement length and the finance terms offered. If you want to add a maintenance package, this will also need to be factored into your budget. 

Getting a quote will help you understand:

• If an upfront payment is required 
• The amount and frequency of regular payments 
• The total amount payable over the term 
• Any fees, including those associated with ownership at the end
• The additional cost of maintenance, if selected 

Please contact Defib4Life for a quote based on your requirements.

Is maintenance included?

Maintenance is not included as standard when leasing a defibrillator, but you can add a maintenance package if you’d like ongoing support.

 Owning a defibrillator is only part of providing life-saving equipment in an emergency. Regular checks, including checking the status indicator, the condition of the device and pads, and when the pads and batteries need replacing will keep your device rescue ready and mean it’s able to deliver a shock in an emergency.  

Without a maintenance package, someone within your organisation will need to replace the pads and batteries when required, which includes when they have expired and once they have been used in an emergency. At Defib4Life, we offer ongoing maintenance packages to help give you peace of mind that your AED will be ready to use when it’s needed.  

Help everyone in your business feel ready to respond

Again, making a defibrillator available to everyone in your business is a great step forward. However, when an emergency strikes, they won’t be able to respond quickly if they don’t know where it is or how to use it.

 Once the defibrillator has been placed within your workplace, make sure staff know where it is kept and make it easy to find with clear signage. 

Although previous training or experience is not required to use an AED, CPR and defibrillator training can help your staff feel more confident about responding quickly and effectively in an emergency. 

Your defibrillator should also be registered on The Circuit, the UK’s national defibrillator network, and keep its location, status and access hours up to date. This enables the ambulance service to direct responders to the nearest defibrillator in an emergency. 

Do you own the defibrillator at the end of the agreement?

Once you reach the end of the agreed term, the defibrillator is owned by your business. You can continue to use the AED, as long as it remains in working order and is maintained in line with the manufacturer’s instructions. 

You will still need to budget for ongoing upkeep and replacement pads and batteries, unless these are covered within your maintenance package.  

Take the next step towards equipping your business

If the initial upfront cost has been preventing your business from purchasing a defibrillator, leasing could make the investment more feasible. 

Defib4Life can help you explore our full range, discuss repayment periods through Shire Leasing and explain the maintenance packages available to you. 

Contact Defib4Life to find out more about leasing a defibrillator and request a quote for your business.