AED Maintenance Checklist: Essential Steps

For anyone suffering a sudden cardiac arrest outside of hospital, an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) could make all the difference when saving a life. Around 26,000 Australian people suffer arrests outside of medical facilities each year. Therefore, it’s crucial to have AEDs on standby in public places. 

By delivering electric shocks, AEDs can also help to prevent brain damage and support CPR. However, these devices must always be properly maintained and stored so they continue to support public emergencies. 

In this guide, we will break down a simple AED maintenance checklist you can follow to ensure your equipment is clean, safe, and operational.

AED Maintenance Checklist

An AED maintenance checklist ensures that you regularly test, clean, and fix up your life-saving devices whenever needed. As critical as AEDs are, you can’t expect them to keep working properly without due care and attention.

Key Components to Include in the Checklist

The key points we recommend you include in your AED maintenance checklist are: 

• Checking and replacing batteries
• Checking and replacing pads
• Visually inspecting the device
• Cleaning the device
• Storing the device safely and securely

 This list isn’t just based on our expert knowledge of AED equipment, but also on years of feedback from business owners and first responders who shop with us!

 We’ll explore each of these points in more detail below.

Importance of Documentation

Before checking, cleaning, or even fixing your AED for the first time, carefully read the manual provided with your device. Failing to look after your AED properly could lead to it breaking down, therefore putting lives at risk. 

All AEDs we provide at Medshop arrive with clear instruction manuals to help you learn how to use the devices and how to care for them. 

Let’s start with the key points from our AED maintenance checklist. 

Battery and Pads Replacement

AED batteries, like any, will slowly expire over time. In most cases, you’ll need to replace them within five years of starting to use the device or fitting new batteries. However, some will expire in as few as two years – always check your manual. 

Most AEDs will also have battery indicator levels to inform you when replacement is approaching. Always follow your manual’s advice on how to safely remove expired batteries before trying to do so yourself. 

Removing the batteries will depend entirely on the model of AED you use. In many cases, there will usually be a back cover you can safely remove to find the batteries to remove and replace. Always make sure to purchase AED batteries from a reputable supplier.

 AED pads expire, too. For example, over time, the gel used to adhere pads to skin will gradually lose applicability. Expired pads might become loose during operation – meaning your AED won’t work properly.

 There’s no guarantee when AED pads generally dry out and expire, so make sure to check any expiration dates listed by the manufacturer. Add these dates to your checklist. It’s also a good idea to visually check your pads for any damage – cracks or tears, for example – these simply won’t work properly.

 We recommend keeping a second or even third set of fresh pads on standby just in case you find their adherence has dried up before use.

 You should always make sure to buy pads designed for your specific AED, and to store them in sealed packaging to stop them drying up and getting damaged.

Cleaning and Maintenance Procedures

Always carry out routine visual inspections and clean your AEDs at least monthly to make sure they are safe and operational for use in emergencies. However, using abrasive chemicals can damage the device, so use appropriate cleaning solutions such as rubbing alcohol, or isopropyl.

 Carefully clean the AED itself and any corners and nooks in the device, along with the case and any additional pieces. You should use a damp cloth with rubbing alcohol for the best results, but you can also use disinfectant wipes or water.

 Any damaged or faulty parts should be replaced outright – make sure to line up a supplier or to speak with your manufacturer if this is the case.

 At the same time, it’s important to test your AED occasionally – again, monthly, at least – to ensure it’s fully operational. Many AEDs will have safe test functions and offer warning indicators if there’s a problem. This is another procedure you can follow via your device’s manual.

Legal and Compliance Requirements

Legal and compliance requirements for AEDs and public buildings vary depending on location. However, in South Australia, for example, it’s a legal requirement for public building owners to install a fully-working AED in an accessible location with clear signage.

 That said, compliance and legal requirements can vary depending on your building and services, too. Best practice, generally, is to store and maintain your AED carefully and ensure it’s clean and operational.

 It’s also important to register your AED defibrillators with any local authorities – making sure you meet the standards expected of you not only keeps people safe, but also ensures you remain on the right side of the law.

Proper Placement and Storage

As per compliance and for public safety, all AEDs should be stored appropriately in accessible areas with clear signage. In the event of an emergency, people in need should not have to spend time looking around for life-saving equipment.

 To preserve AEDs and their pads, always keep your equipment away from extreme temperatures. Many of our customers also say that keeping AEDs safely secured in storage boxes and cabinets helps prevent damage – and we agree. Just make sure the cabinets or boxes you use are durable!

 Even if you haven’t used your AED for a while, always regularly test it and visually check for damage.

Training and Awareness for AED Users

Many AEDs are simple to use with instructions provided during application. However, it still pays to invest in training for people who are likely to use the equipment over time.

 Train your personnel regularly – just as you would with first aid and CPR – so that your whole team knows how to use AED defibrillator equipment should the worst-case scenario occur.

 Basic awareness is just as important – in the event of a sudden cardiac arrest, your team needs to know where the life-saving equipment is held!

Cost-Effective Ways to Maintain Your AED

Here are some final tips to help you maintain your AED and accessories without the unnecessary expense: 

• Invest in and store high-quality replacement parts
• Set up a regular schedule for maintenance to avoid costly replacements and fixes
• Shop with a reputable AED provider with positive customer reviews – reputable providers offer long-lasting equipment
• Trust your manual – not your gut – when it comes to maintaining your AED
• If in doubt about your AED’s functionality – contact the manufacturer before purchasing parts

Conclusion

Maintaining your AED and its equipment effectively means that, should you ever need to use them, you have the best possible chance at saving lives. Whether the people you help need CPR, an electrocardiogram (ECG), or hospital treatment afterwards, you’re taking the right steps to get them back to full health. 

Don’t just leave your AEDs in place – check, test, clean, and repair them – lives could depend on you doing so.

Sources

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April. (2024). Australian regions needing cardiac arrest education revealed. In Monash University. Monash University. https://www.monash.edu/news/articles/australian-regions-needing-cardiac-arrest-education-revealed

Bray, J., Howell, S., Ball, S., Doan, T., Bosley, E., Smith, K., Dicker, B., Faddy, S., Thorrowgood, M., Swain, A., Thomas, A., Wilson, A., Shipp, C., Walker, T., Bailey, P., Finn, J., Smith, T., Bernard, S., Grantham, H., … Perkins, G. (2022). The epidemiology of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Australia and New Zealand: A binational report from the Australasian Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium (Aus-ROC). In Resuscitation (Vol. 172, pp. 74–83). Elsevier BV. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resuscitation.2022.01.011

Defibtech LLC. (n.d.). How to Check a Defibrillator. In AED Maintenance Checks. Retrieved December 2, 2024, from https://www.defibtech.com/news/latest/how-to-check-a-defibrillator/

Enser, M. (2024). Do AED Units, AED Batteries, & AED Pads Expire? & Why? In First Response Safety Training. https://www.firstresponsecpr.com/blog/do-aed-units-aed-batteries-aed-pads-expire/

Heart Saver NZ. (2021). Why Do AED Pads Expire? Heart Saver NZ. https://www.heartsaver.co.nz/news/why-do-aed-pads-expire/

How to Change an AED Battery on 6 FDA-Approved Brands. (2023). https://www.aedleader.com/blog/how-to-change-aed-battery/