AED lifespan: why replacement after 10 years is essential

Written by

Bart de Visser

More than 15 years of experience in AEDs & cardiac safety · AEDwijzer

Published on October 21, 2024

An Automated External Defibrillator (AED) saves lives, but it doesn't last forever. The technical limit is, on average, 10 years. After this, its reliability can no longer be guaranteed. Furthermore, repairing a defective AED is now virtually impossible due to strict MDR legislation and high costs. In practice, a broken AED is almost always a 'total loss'.

The technical limit: Deterioration under the hood

Even if an AED has never been used, internal aging occurs. After 10 years, the chance of failure increases:

• Slow capacitors: This component must 'collect' the electrical shock. Old capacitors charge slower, which costs valuable time in the 6-minute zone.

• Wear and tear of electronics: Circuit boards and sensors are sensitive to temperature fluctuations and moisture, which can lead to hairline cracks or corrosion after a decade.

1. The legal barrier: MDR and FDA legislation

Since the introduction of the MDR (Medical Device Regulation) in Europe and the requirements of the FDA, the rules for repairing medical equipment have been drastically tightened.

• Liability: As soon as an independent party opens an AED, the manufacturer's responsibility ceases. The repairer legally becomes the new 'manufacturer' and bears all risks. Almost no maintenance company dares to do this.

• Impossible certification: Every repair must be officially validated to demonstrate that the device performs 100% as new again. This process is so bureaucratic and expensive that it is not performed in practice.

2. Sealed systems: No access for repair

Modern AEDs are often 'sealed units'. They are hermetically sealed to guarantee a high IP rating (dust and water resistance). Breaking open the casing destroys this integrity. Furthermore, manufacturers do not supply loose internal components such as motherboards to third parties, to ensure quality.

3. The economic consideration: The AED as 'Total Loss'

A repair to an AED quickly costs between € 600 and € 900, including shipping to specialized centers and labor by certified technicians.

• For this amount, you already have almost half of a brand new AED with an 8-year warranty and the latest software.

• Repairing is often "flogging a dead horse": the hardware is patched up, but the brains (software) remain outdated, and other old components can still fail at any moment.

Safety leaves no room for doubt

In the event of a cardiac arrest, technology must be 100% reliable. Due to strict MDR requirements, replacement after 10 years is the only way to guarantee true safety. An AED that can no longer be repaired under this legislation is simply a brick on the wall.

Is your AED ready for a modern successor?

Do you have a defective unit or is your device older than 8 to 10 years? Don't wait until an emergency forces you to act.

• Find the best replacement immediately: Use our AED Choice Helper. Answer a few questions and discover which modern model (such as Zoll, Philips or Mindray) perfectly suits your situation.

• Buy a new AED directly: View our full range of new AED devices with the latest certifications.

• Prevent unexpected defects: With our maintenance contracts, we monitor the lifespan of your device and the status of your AED battery.

Shall I check for you whether your current model is still supported, or would you like direct advice on a competitively priced new AED that offers 10 years of security again?