A defibrillator on the wall is only useful if it is ready on the day it is needed. Pads and batteries have expiry dates, cabinets get blocked by boxes, and most AEDs show a warning when something is wrong that nobody walks past to see. A short, regular check catches all of it.
Your AED's maker sets out how it should be checked and maintained. Follow their instructions first; the routine below is the practical check most workplaces do between services. It is not training in using an AED.
The five checks
- Ready indicator. The AED shows it is ready, with no warning light, beep or error on its screen. Your model's manual shows what ready looks like.
- Pads. Sealed in their packet, in date, and connected if your model is stored with the pads plugged in.
- Battery. In date and showing charge.
- Cabinet and sign. The cabinet is easy to reach and not blocked, the AED sign can be seen, and the cabinet alarm works if it has one.
- Rescue kit. A razor, scissors, gloves and a face mask are with the AED.
How often to check
Follow the maker's instructions. Many workplaces check their AEDs every month, because a dead battery or a fault light can appear at any time. FirstAidLog sets AEDs to a monthly check for that reason.
Check again after every use. Pads are single use, so they need replacing straight away, and the maker will say what else to check after a rescue.
Keep track of the dates
Pads and batteries each carry an expiry date printed on them. Write both down when the AED is installed and each time a part is replaced, so a replacement can be ordered before the date, not after it.
| Part | Where the date is | When to order |
|---|---|---|
| Pads (adult) | On the pad packet | Well before the date, and after any use |
| Pads (child), if you keep them | On the pad packet | As for adult pads |
| Battery | On the battery or its label | Before the date, or when the indicator says it is low |
Record every check
A record shows the AED was looked after: the date, who checked it, the result of each check, and the pad and battery dates. If a check fails, record what was done about it and when.
In FirstAidLog, an AED is a kit set up with the Defibrillator template. Its pads and battery are items with their own expiry dates, so they show in the same 7 am alerts, phone notifications and calendar feed as everything else. The monthly inspection adds the five AED checks above, and the certificate records the result. You enter your model's pad and battery dates yourself; there is no list of AED models.
After an AED has been used
- Tell whoever looks after the AED straight away, so it is back in service quickly.
- Replace the pads, check the battery and follow the maker's instructions for after a rescue.
- Record the event in your incident report. The Emergency page in FirstAidLog has a timer with buttons to mark when CPR started, the AED was attached and a shock was given, so those times are ready for the report.
Frequently asked questions
How often should a workplace AED be checked?
Follow the maker's instructions. Many workplaces check monthly and after every use, and FirstAidLog sets AEDs to a monthly check.
Do AED pads expire?
Yes. Pads and batteries each have an expiry date printed on them, and pads are single use, so they are replaced after any use.
What goes in an AED rescue kit?
Usually a razor, scissors, gloves and a face mask, kept with the AED.
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