Navigating defibrillator supply challenges: Understanding issues and keeping your organisation rescue ready

Defibrillators are an essential piece of lifesaving equipment. It’s important that they function when they’re needed because when someone experiences sudden cardiac arrest, being able to act quickly and effectively could save a life.

Recently, the defibrillator industry has experienced growing supply challenges which mean longer lead times, discontinued models and limited availability of pads and batteries can create uncertainty if you already own a defibrillator or are thinking of investing in one.

At Defib4Life, we want to tell you everything we know so you can make an informed decision. We provide impartial advice and want to ensure that you invest in the right defibrillator for your needs. Supply challenges have become more prominent in recent years, but they don’t have to compromise safety if they’re understood and managed correctly. In this blog, we’ll explain what’s driving current issues, how they affect buyers and existing owners and how you can stay rescue ready.

What’s been happening in the defibrillator supply landscape?

Current supply issues are caused by a range of issues in the defibrillator manufacturing industry and understanding these issues can help to see why availability can change so quickly and why suppliers such as Defib4Life are often unable to provide replacement pads and batteries.

• Global manufacturing and component constraints: Modern AEDs often rely on specialist electronic components, batteries, sensors and software which are sourced globally. Disruptions to international supply chains have affected access to these components which slows manufacturing for all brands. AEDs must meet regulatory requirements so its difficult to substitute missing parts which can cause further problems when shortages arise.
• Product discontinuation and range consolidation: In order to cope with manufacturing issues and pressure to supply defibrillators, many manufacturers have reduced the number of models they produce, have discontinued older products or are moving to newer, improved models. While this can improve long-term reliability, but it can also leave owners of existing models concerned about future access to consumables and lifetime of their devices.
• Increase in demand for AEDs: As awareness of the importance of defibrillator use in sudden cardiac arrest cases increases, so does the need to supply more AEDs. Combined with supply issues, this can make it very difficult for manufacturers to meet the demand.

Recently, we’ve seen manufacturers of the CELLAED device go into administration, Lifepak CR Plus and Express consumables being discontinued and Heartsine Pad Pak supply problems which are making it difficult for many organisations to keep their device rescue ready and for suppliers like us to be able to keep customers supplied with the equipment they need.

Why do these supply challenges matter to you?

Whether you’re a school, workplace, sports club, council or community group, a defibrillator is essential to have to save lives, but supply uncertainty can make it difficult to know if your defibrillator is safe and has the ability to save a life if needed.

Common concerns include:

• Whether to wait for a specific model or wait for an alternative
• Whether existing devices will remain supported
• How to ensure rescue readiness long-term
• How to justify decisions internally during uncertainty

The key risk is not supply disruption itself but a lack of awareness or planning that can lead to a device that’s no longer rescue ready and ineffective in an emergency.

Buying a defibrillator during supply disruption: What to consider

When availability of a chosen device is limited, it can be tempting to opt for the only defibrillators that are available right now. However, purchasing a defibrillator is an investment and should be carefully considered.

Most defibrillators have a lifespan, warranty and manufacturer support for up to 8-10 years. So, when looking for a defibrillator, it’s important to check how long the manufacturer will support your chosen device, whether pads and batteries will be available throughout its lifetime and whether the model is part of a current, supported range or nearing the end of its life.

Having a defibrillator that’s immediately available might seem like the best choice but long-term support is essential.

Pads and batteries have fixed expiry dates, and these can often be affected by supply issues before the actual device. So, before you invest in a defibrillator, it’s important to understand what the lead times are for consumables and whether accessories are specific to one model only. A defibrillator without reliable access to consumables is not rescue ready and may fail to work when it’s needed.

What existing defibrillator owners should do now

If your organisation already owns a defibrillator, supply issues may or may not have affected you. If you do own a defibrillator that’s been affected or has limited access to consumables, it’s important to start planning and acting early to ensure your device stays rescue ready.

Here’s the steps you can take:

Confirm operational status

Start with ensuring your device is currently operating. Check the device status indicator, ensure it’s passing its self-tests and check the pad and battery expiry dates. We also recommend checking whether your device has been affected by any issues.

If your device is operating as it should, its still safe to use until consumables expire.

Plan to replace consumables early

If your consumables are due to expire in the next few months, we recommend looking to order replacements to prevent gaps in coverage and give you time to source an alternative solution if they’re unavailable.

Review replacement and upgrade timelines

If your defibrillator has been completely discontinued and the manufacturer will no longer be supporting it, we recommend planning for a replacement instead of waiting for accessories to become available. When thinking about upgrades, look for defibrillators that are likely to be supported over the long-term to protect your investment.

Ensure registration and visibility

If your defibrillator has been used or replaced, you need to update The Circuit with new details. All publicly accessible defibrillators should be registered here to ensure emergency services can direct responders to the nearest available and working device.

How can Defib4Life support you through supply challenges?

At Defib4Life, our expert customer support team constantly monitors stock availability, lead times and manufacturer updates so we can provide you with the best advice and guidance. We don’t want to just supply equipment; we want to ensure all organisations are equipped with lifesaving solutions and the best device for their needs.

We provide honest advice on availability and alternatives, flagging potential future risks early and helping you choose the best defibrillator for your needs. When there is uncertainty around supply, we’re proud to offer clear guidance to ensure lifesaving equipment is ready when its needed.

Navigating supply issues

Defibrillator supply challenges can cause issues, but they don’t have to compromise the safety of your equipment. Being informed, planning ahead and understanding what these issues mean enable your organisation to remain fully rescue ready.

Whether you’re purchasing a defibrillator for the first time or managing an existing device, the key is to look at long-term support, maintenance and reliability as much as the availability of devices.

If you’re unsure how current supply issues affect your defibrillator or would like guidance on the next steps, please contact our team.

Which devices and components are experiencing supply challenges?

Many defibrillator models are still widely available, and manufacturers are doing their best to maintain supply, some have been affected by supply constraints or discontinuation. It’s important to know which devices are affected so we will keep this list updated to keep you informed.

HeartSine Samaritan PAD Series

Several devices in the HeartSine Samaritan PAD range including the 350P, 360P and 500P have been subject to manufacturing issues that have had an impact on stock and supply levels in the UK. These devices are currently difficult to get hold of due to manufacturer issues and pads are also delayed. We are staying updated on these issues and will let all customers know the relevant information when we know more.

This is frustrating for us as suppliers, and we are doing everything we can to get our hands on the devices and pads.

CELLAED device

Just before Christmas the manufacturer of the CELLAED device announced it was going into administration. This means, once they reach their expiry dates, these devices will no longer be available so you will need to look for alternatives. 

Lifepak CR Plus and Express consumables discontinued

The Lifepak CR Plus and Express models are now entering their end-of-life support phase as consumables have been discontinued. This is much earlier than anticipated so we’re advising customers to check expiry dates and start planning ahead for replacement when these dates are reached to ensure your organisation remains rescue ready.