Why regularly checking your AED is life-saving

An AED saves lives, but only if it works

Imagine someone collapsing in cardiac arrest right in front of you. You run to the AED, open the bag, but then... the device remains silent. No voice, no instructions. A malfunctioning AED at the moment of truth is a scenario you don't want to contemplate.

An AED is a technological marvel that remains on standby for years. But just like a car that sits idle for too long, a defibrillator also needs attention. It's simple: an AED simply has to work, every second of every day.

The impact of a non-functioning AED

When an AED malfunctions due to a dead battery or dried-out pads, you, as a rescuer, are powerless. The precious minutes in the 6-minute zone tick away while you try to get the device working. This lost time is never regained and can mean the difference between a successful resuscitation and a fatal outcome. It's a traumatic experience for bystanders and a missed chance at life for the victim.

The three biggest culprits of refusal

Often the cause of an AED not responding is due to things that are very easy to prevent:

1. The battery is empty: A battery slowly loses its power over the years, even if you never use the AED.

2. The electrodes are dried out: The gel on the pads allows the current to pass through the heart. After the expiration date, this gel dries out and the AED can no longer defibrillate .

3. Self-test error: Most AEDs (such as those from Zoll , Philips , or Mindray ) perform a self-test. If you don't check the status indicator regularly, you'll miss the warning that there's an internal error.

Make sure your AED is always ready for action

Prevent powerlessness and ensure that your equipment is 100% reliable.

• Perform a weekly check: Simply look at the status indicator. Do you see a red cross or hear a beep? Then action is required.

• Replace parts preventatively: Don't wait until the expiration date has passed. Order new ones in time. AED electrodes and a fresh one AED battery .

• Choose complete care: Don't feel like keeping track of the shelf life yourself? With our maintenance contracts We monitor the status of your AED and replace parts before they expire.

• Invest in a new device: If your AED is older than 10 years, its reliability can no longer be guaranteed. Use our AED Selection Guide to find a modern, self-checking model.