The Importance of Maintaining Your AED: Examining Battery and Pads Failures

Installing an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is one of the most important steps any organisation can take to ensure potentially life-saving action can be taken when sudden cardiac arrest occurs. A defibrillator located in workplace, school, sports clubs, healthcare setting or community building has the potential to save a life when every second counts.

However, purchasing the defibrillator is only the beginning.

To remain effective and ensure it’s able to save a life in an emergency, defibrillators require ongoing maintenance, routine inspections and regular defibrillator servicing. Although modern defibrillators are designed to perform automatic self-tests, these tests should alert you to any issues so you can fix them and ensure the device is still able to deliver a shock. Expired electrode pads, depleted batteries, accidental damage or missing accessories could all prevent your AED from performing as it should in an emergency.

Regular defibrillator servicing helps ensure your device remains rescue ready and routine maintenance provides reassurance that everything is in full working order. Looking after your AED not only protects your investment, most importantly, it helps to ensure it can deliver a life-saving shock when it’s needed most.

If you’re unsure whether your organisation needs professional defibrillator servicing, read our guide: do you need defibrillator maintenance.

Why defibrillator maintenance and servicing matter

Every year, around 115,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests are reported to the ambulance services in the UK each year. Early CPR and rapid defibrillation offers the best chances of survival, making it essential that publicly accessible and workplace AEDs are not only available but ready for use.

AEDs are a (hopefully) rarely used piece of equipment so it’s easy to think they are an ‘install and forget’ type of device. However, every AED should have a planned maintenance and servicing programme to ensure it works when it’s needed in an emergency.

Routing inspections and professional defibrillator servicing help identify problems before they become critical. They also ensure your device continues to meet manufacturer’s recommendations, remains operational and provides complete confidence during an emergency.   

Your workplace or community might have a single defibrillator or multiple devices but investing time in maintenance could make a significant difference in an emergency.

The most common causes of defibrillator failure

Modern AEDs are designed to be reliable but, like any medical device, they rely on several components working together correctly.

The most common reasons an AED might not be rescue ready include:

• Expired electrode pads
• Depleted batteries
• Physical damage to the AED or cabinet
• Moisture, dirt or environmental damage
• Missing accessories
• Fault indicators that haven’t been investigated
• Missed routine inspections
• Outdated maintenance record

All of these issues are entirely preventable with regular visual inspections and scheduled defibrillator servicing.

Why AED battery maintenance is essential

The battery is the powerhouse of an AED.

It provides the necessary energy to deliver life-saving shocks. Without a functional and adequately charged battery, a defibrillator is rendered useless in critical situations. Research indicated that battery failures account for a significant percentage of defibrillator malfunctions. A study found that battery-related issues accounted for approximately 23% of defibrillator failures.

Most manufacturers typically recommend replacing AED batteries every two to five years, depending on the model and usage. Even if your defibrillator has never been used, batteries naturally deteriorate over time and eventually require replacement.

• Regular battery checks should include:
• Confirming the AED displays a normal status indicator 
• Looking for warning lights or audible alerts 
• Checking battery expiry dates 
• Inspecting for corrosion or physical damage
• Ordering replacement batteries before they expire 

Neglecting battery maintenance can lead to catastrophic consequences when a defibrillator is needed most, compromising the device’s ability to deliver timely and effective shocks.

For more information on replacing the batteries in your defibrillator, read our blog: When should I replace the batteries in my defibrillator.

Why defibrillator pads need regular inspection

Defibrillator pads are just as important as the battery.

These pads facilitate the delivery of the electric shock the heart and monitor the patient’s cardiac rhythm. Unfortunately, pad failures can occur due to factors such as improper storage, expiration or damage during use.

Over time, the conductive gel dries out, reducing their effectiveness. Once they reach their expiry date, they should always be replaced, even if they have never been removed from their packaging.

Pads also need to be replaced immediately after every use.

Routine pad maintenance should include checking:

• Pad expiry dates
• Packaging remains sealed
• No punctures or damage
• Correct adult or paediatric pads are available
• Spare pads are available where required

Replacing pads before they expire is one of the simplest ways to ensure your AED is rescue ready when it’s needed.

For more information on AED pads, read our blog: Why defibrillator pads expire – and how to stay prepared

Why modern defibrillators still need professional servicing

A question we’re often asked is:

“Do defibrillators really need to be serviced?”

The answer is yes.

While modern AEDs are designed to carry out their own self-tests, they can’t identify every issue. And, when they do identify an issue, it often requires human intervention.

Self-tests are not always able to detect:

• Expired electrode pads
• Damaged cabinets
• Missing rescue kits
• Environmental damage
• Incorrect storage conditions
• Missing signage
• Incomplete maintenance records
• Changes to public access arrangements

This is why it’s highly recommended that you regularly perform visual inspections when you own an AED and invest in professional defibrillator servicing.

Regular servicing provides additional peace of mind that your defibrillator is fully operational and capable of delivering a shock in an emergency.

What does professional defibrillator servicing include?

Professional servicing helps to identify any issues with your defibrillator and fix them before your device is needed in the event of an emergency.

A comprehensive check should include the following, whether you decide to perform the checks in-house or ask a professional to do it for you.

Routine inspections usually only take a few minutes but provide invaluable peace of mind.

Assign responsibility for your AED

Any organisation with an AED on-site should have someone appointed to look after the device and perform regular checks.

Without clear ownership, routine inspections can be easily forgotten as staff change roles or volunteers move on.

This is often known as a Defibrillator Guardian and is a dedicated person for overseeing inspections, maintenance records and consumable replacements.

Find out more in our guide: Defibrillator Guardianship Explained.

Don’t forget to keep The Circuit updated

Maintaining your defibrillator is just one part of ensuring it’s ready in an emergency.

If you intend to make your AED publicly accessible, you will need to register it with The Circuit, the UK’s national defibrillator network used by every NHS ambulance service.

Keeping your registration accurate ensures emergency call handlers can direct members of the public to your AED when every second counts.

Read our guide to Registering your defibrillator on The Circuit here. 

Professional defibrillator servicing from Defib4Life

A Defib4Life, we offer defibrillator servicing and maintenance packages designed to help you keep your life-saving equipment ready for use at all times.

Our packages include:

• Checks every 6-8 weeks
• Visual checks of your defibrillator and cabinet
• Battery and electrode pad check
• Pad terminal check
• Cabinet or wall hanger inspection and cleaning
• Registration review with The Circuit
• A written report once maintenance has been completed

Need professional defibrillator servicing?

We provide annual servicing, routine maintenance support and more to ensure your AED is always ready to save a life. Contact our expert team today to discuss the best option for your business.

Frequently asked questions

Do defibrillators need to be serviced?

Yes. Although modern AEDs perform automatic self-tests, regular visual inspections and ongoing defibrillator servicing ensure the device, battery and electrode pads remain ready for use.

How often should a defibrillator be serviced?

Recommended service scheduling varies by manufacturer and device but it’s important to carry out visual inspections regularly and arrange professional servicing annually or whenever required.

What does a professional defibrillator service include?

A professional service usually includes an inspection of the device, battery, pads, cabinet, accessories and maintenance records, along with advice on replacement consumables and any issues that require attention.

Can I carry out my own AED maintenance?

Yes. You can carry out your own regular visual inspections, and it is recommended that you do this. However, many organisations choose professional servicing for additional reassurance.