LIFEPAK CR Plus and Express consumables discontinued: What this means for AED owners and why we recommend moving on

In 2019, Stryker, the manufacturer of the LIFEPAK CR Plus and EXPRESS, announced the discontinuation of the devices. The manufacturer stated that any devices bought prior to the cut-off date would be supported throughout their eight-year warranty and all consumables would continue to be available until these devices reached the end of their life.

After months of uncertainty and suppliers like Defib4Life being unable to provide customers with the pads and batteries required for these defibrillators, the manufacturer has just announced the discontinuation of the QUIK-PAK electrodes and CHARGE-PAK battery chargers for both devices due to ongoing supply chain limitations.

In this blog, we’ll look at what this means if you own one of these devices and the action you can take to ensure your organisation remains rescue ready.

What does this mean for you?

The announcement of the discontinuation of these consumables means the LIFEPAK CR Plus and EXPRESS AED models will now reach their end-of-life support phase far earlier than expected by many customers.

You will now no longer be able to reliably replace the essential parts of your defibrillator. Without in-date pads or batteries, your defibrillator will not be rescue ready and will not be effective in an emergency. These consumables are essential to the safe operation of the AED and ensuring that your defibrillator is ready to deliver a shock when it’s needed.

While your defibrillator may be currently fully functioning, in the future you will find that your pads have expired and you’re unable to replace them, leaving your organisation unprotected, or your battery fails with no replacement available.

Take action now to stay rescue ready

At Defib4Life, we want to provide you with advice on what you should do if you own one of these devices to keep your organisation safe.

Taking steps now will enable you to ensure you have a rescue ready AED if an emergency occurs.

Step 1: Check your device

Start by checking the model of defibrillator you have and whether it requires QUIK -PAK electrodes and CHARGE-PAK batteries. If you’re not sure, check the device’s label or documentation, or speak to a qualified supplier who will be able to confirm this for you.

Step 2: Check your consumables

Check the expiry date of the pads and batteries installed in your AED, as well as any spares. This will help you to understand how much life your current defibrillator has left.

Step 3: Start planning a replacement

Depending on how long you have left before your pads and batteries expire, the safest option is to start planning to replace your defibrillator rather than waiting until it reaches the end of its life and it’s no longer functional.

Planning to move over to another device allows you to choose the right AED for your needs, ensure you choose a device that will be supported over the long-term, budget accordingly and ensure your organisation continues to be rescue ready.

Replacing your AED is the best way to keep your organisation safe.

Step 4: Ask for advice

Before buying a new defibrillator, speaking to an independent specialist can help you to understand your options, compare different devices and help you find an AED with long-term support, so you don’t come up against the same problem again.

Asking for independent advice will allow you to make a choice based on safety and reliability.

We recommend: ZOLL AED Plus or CR2 USB but will happily discuss another device of your choice.

Stryker will discontinue QUIK-PAK electrodes and CHARGE-PAK battery chargers in February 2026. The CR Plus will no longer be fully supported, so we highly recommend upgrading your device to the ZOLL AED Plus or Physio Control CR2 USB .

Both devices are recommended due to the long-term manufacturer support, reliability and ease of use, giving responders the confidence to act quickly and effectively in an emergency.

One of our biggest concerns following the LIFEPAK announcement is the withdrawal of essential consumables from sale. On the other hand, consumables for the ZOLL AED Plus and Physio Control CR2 USB are readily available with both manufacturers offering extended product support, helping you to ensure your investment is protected and will provide you with a long-term solution.

The ZOLL AED Plus offers long-term reliability, is simple to maintain, has an easy-to-replace battery system, reducing the risk of future supply issues and ensuring that you’ll be able to keep your defibrillator rescue ready. This device also features real-time CPR feedback and clear voice and visual guidance, enabling bystanders to act quickly when every second counts.

The Physio Control CR2’s USB connectivity enables easy data download and device management which means you can ensure your defibrillator is always rescue ready and will remain compliant. This defibrillator is designed to provide rapid response and simplicity with intuitive operation, clear prompts and fast shock delivery.

We’ve put a quick comparison table together to help you see the differences between the LIFEPAK CR Plus, ZOLL AED Plus and Physio Control CR2 USB defibrillators at a glance:

Defib4Life’s professional opinion

At Defib4Life, our mission is to provide organisations, charities and community groups across the UK with life saving defibrillators. As part of this mission, we provide advice to our customers to help them choose the right defibrillator for their needs.

After ongoing supply issues and now this announcement, we have lost some confidence in Stryker as the early withdrawal of essential consumables causes uncertainty for equipment that must be dependable.

We recognise the challenges faced by manufacturers, but defibrillators are essential pieces of life saving equipment. This means they need to be reliable and supported so that they’re effective when needed.

As a result, we strongly recommend a transition to AEDs that will provide long-term support. 

Staying rescue ready: What to do next

The discontinuation of QUIK-PAK electrodes and CHARGE-PAK battery chargers is significant for owners of LIFEPAK CR Plus and EXPRESS defibrillators. These devices will continue to function over the short-term but the inability to replace consumables mean they are no longer a long-term solution for ensuring your organisation is rescue ready.

When cardiac arrest strikes, it’s essential that your defibrillator is fully functional. Waiting until the pads or batteries expire before acting leaves your organisation unprotected.

Taking action now will enable you to ensure your organisation stays rescue ready and move to an AED that’s fully supported.

If you currently own one of these devices, our team is here to help. We can help you review your current setup, explain your next steps clearly and support you in finding a defibrillator that suits your needs and will provide you with a long-term solution.

Please contact our expert customer service team for advice today.

LIFEPAK CR Plus Discontinuation & Upgrade FAQs

Why is the LIFEPAK CR Plus being discontinued?

Stryker has announced that consumables for the LIFEPAK CR Plus defibrillator including the QUIK-PAK electrodes and CHARGE-PAK battery chargers will be discontinued from February 2026. Once these are no longer available, you will be unable to reliably maintain or use your device.

Can I continue using my LIFEPAK CR Plus after 2026?

After February 2026 it will become increasingly difficult to replace essential parts to keep your device rescue ready and safe. Eventually, this will become impossible, so it’s recommended that you start to look at upgrading your device before this happens to ensure you have a safe device available.

Is my LIFEPAK CR Plus unsafe right now?

No, your device will remain safe to use as long as your pads and batteries are still in date. However, planning an upgrade now avoids the risk of your defibrillator becoming unusable due to unavailable pads or batteries or someone needing to use your defibrillator and realising that consumables are out of date and no replacements available.

What are the risks of keeping a CR Plus?

The main risks include:

• Inability to replace pads or batteries
• Increased chance of device downtime
• Lack of manufacturer support
• Reduced confidence in emergency readiness

What defibrillators do you recommend as replacements?

We recommend upgrading to either:

• ZOLL AED Plus
• Physio Control CR2 USB

Both are modern, fully supported devices designed for long-term use, but we are happy to discuss your needs and provide alternatives.

Why are these devices recommended?

The ZOLL AED Plus and Physio Control CR2 USB offer:

• Long-term manufacturer support
• Easy-to-source replacement pads and batteries
• Simple operation with clear voice prompts
• Low maintenance requirements
• Proven reliability in emergency situations

Do the recommended devices work for children?

Yes, the ZOLL AED Plus supports paediatric use and can be equipped with child pads. The Physio Control CR2 USB defibrillator includes can be used on both adults and children using one set of pads which saves time and reduces confusion in an emergency.

Will upgrading require additional training?

No formal training is required to use any AED. Both of the devices suggested in this blog are designed to be used by both untrained and trained responders and provide clear spoken instructions that guide the responder through the process step-by-step.

Can existing wall cabinets and signage be reused?

In most cases, yes. We can confirm compatibility and advise if any updates are required

What happens to my old CR Plus device?

We can advise you on safe decommissioning of your defibrillator and environmentally responsible disposal in line with current regulations.

When should I upgrade?

We recommend upgrading your device before February 2026 to avoid supply shortages of consumables and ensure continuous protection for your organisation.

Can I discuss other upgrade options?

Absolutely. While we recommend the ZOLL AED Plus and Physio Control CR2 USB, we are happy to discuss alternative devices to suit your organisation, needs and budget.