AED maintenance helps make sure your defibrillator is ready if somebody experiences a cardiac arrest. Modern AEDs require relatively little routine attention, but they should never simply be installed and forgotten. Someone needs to check the device, monitor its rescue-ready indicator, replace expired or used pads and batteries when required and make sure it remains accessible.

The good news is that looking after an Automated External Defibrillator is normally straightforward.

Most modern AEDs perform automatic self-checks and provide a visual or audible warning if they detect a problem.

However, the exact requirements vary between manufacturers and models.

That makes one rule particularly important:

Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your specific AED.

This guide explains practical AED maintenance for workplaces, schools, sports clubs, community organisations and public access defibrillators.

Does an AED Need Maintenance?

Yes, but this needs some explanation.

AEDs require routine checks and consumable items need replacing, but this is not necessarily the same as having the device routinely serviced by an engineer.

Current guidance from The Circuit explains that defibrillators do not generally need routine servicing.

Most models carry out automatic daily, weekly or monthly self-checks.

The device will normally have a status indicator showing whether it is ready for use or whether attention is required.

Owners or guardians still need to:

check the AED’s rescue-ready status
replace pads when they expire or are used
replace batteries when required
inspect the equipment for damage
check the cabinet or storage arrangements
replace used accessories
follow manufacturer instructions
act on warnings or fault indicators

Good AED maintenance therefore means monitoring the equipment and responding to problems rather than routinely dismantling or testing the AED yourself.

How Often Should AED Maintenance Checks Be Carried Out?

There isn’t one universal checking interval for every AED.

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and any system your organisation has put in place.

The appropriate frequency may depend on:

AED manufacturer
AED model
location
environment
level of public access
cabinet type
organisational procedures

A heavily used sports facility or outdoor public access AED may justify different physical checks from a device stored in a controlled indoor environment.

The important thing is to have a reliable checking system rather than assuming someone will notice if there is a problem.

Resuscitation Council UK recommends a robust system to ensure checks are completed and any issues identified are dealt with.

What Should You Check on an AED?

A routine AED maintenance check does not need to be complicated.

Start with the device itself.

Check:

Is the AED in its correct location?
Is its rescue-ready indicator showing the expected status?
Is there a warning light or fault indicator?
Is there an audible warning?
Is there visible damage?
Are the pads connected correctly if the model requires them to remain connected?
Are the pads within their expiry date?
Is the battery within its expected life?
Is the AED clean and dry?
Is the carry case in good condition?
Are required accessories present?

If the AED does not show its normal rescue-ready indication, follow the manufacturer’s instructions or contact the manufacturer or supplier.

Do not ignore a warning because the device has never been used.

Understanding the AED Rescue-Ready Indicator

Most modern defibrillators perform automatic internal self-checks.

Depending on the model, these may test areas such as:

internal electronics
battery condition
circuitry
software
pad connection

The exact checks and frequency are manufacturer-specific.

The AED then provides a status indication.

This could be:

a green light
a tick
an OK symbol
another visual indicator

A problem may be shown through a different symbol, warning light or audible alert.

This is why anyone responsible for AED maintenance should know what the normal ready indication looks like on their particular device.

Do not assume every AED uses the same symbols.

AED Pad Maintenance and Expiry Dates

Defibrillator pads are consumable items.

They contain conductive adhesive gel that allows them to stick to the casualty’s chest and deliver the electrical shock.

AED pads have an expiry date.

They should be replaced when:

they reach their expiry date
they have been used
the packaging has been opened or damaged
the manufacturer says replacement is necessary

Do not wait until the expiry date has passed before ordering replacements.

A better system is to record the date and arrange replacements in advance.

If your AED is registered with The Circuit, its system can provide reminders as the pad expiry date approaches.

Why Do AED Pads Expire?

The adhesive and conductive properties of electrode pads can deteriorate over time.

The sealed packaging is designed to protect them until required.

Expired pads may not perform as intended.

For that reason, an AED should not be considered fully emergency ready simply because the machine itself displays no obvious fault.

The consumables need checking too.

Pad shelf life varies considerably between AED manufacturers and models, so avoid applying one generic replacement period to every device.

Check the expiry date printed on the actual pad package.

What Happens to AED Pads After They Are Used?

AED pads are generally single-use items.

Once they have been opened and applied to a casualty, they need replacing.

After a deployment, check whether the AED was actually used.

If the pads were opened, replace them before returning the AED to service.

Where an AED is registered with The Circuit, update its status appropriately so ambulance services are not directed towards equipment that is temporarily unavailable.

AED Battery Maintenance

The battery is another essential part of AED maintenance.

Without sufficient battery power, the AED cannot operate properly.

Battery arrangements differ significantly between manufacturers.

Some AEDs use:

long-life disposable batteries
replaceable battery packs
rechargeable batteries
separate batteries for particular functions

Never assume that the battery lasts a fixed number of years simply because another AED does.

Follow the manufacturer’s specifications for your particular device.

When Should an AED Battery Be Replaced?

An AED battery may need replacing because:

it has reached the manufacturer’s replacement date
the AED indicates low battery
the AED fails a self-check
the battery has been heavily used
the manufacturer’s instructions require replacement
the device has been used during a cardiac arrest and its battery status needs reassessing

Some batteries can last several years in standby conditions, but actual life depends on the device, environmental conditions, self-testing and use.

This is why we would not recommend relying on a generic statement such as “replace every three years.”

Use the manufacturer’s information for the AED you actually own.

Keep Replacement AED Pads and Batteries Available

Organisations should know how quickly they can obtain replacement consumables.

Do not wait until an AED has been used before discovering that its replacement pads are difficult to source.

When purchasing an AED, consider:

replacement pad availability
pad cost
pad shelf life
battery cost
battery availability
paediatric pad requirements
supplier availability

These factors form part of the long-term cost of owning a defibrillator.

Our guide to choosing a portable AED explains why ongoing consumable costs should be considered alongside the initial purchase price.

If you already have an AED and need compatible consumables, Jax First Aid supplies AEDs, replacement pads, batteries and related equipment.

Affiliate disclosure: The Jax First Aid links in this article are affiliate links. If you make a purchase after following one of these links, First Aid and Safety Training may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Only purchase pads, batteries or accessories confirmed as compatible with your particular AED.

AED Maintenance for Paediatric Equipment

If your AED uses separate paediatric pads, these need checking too.

Do not concentrate solely on the adult pads attached to the AED.

Check:

whether paediatric pads are present
their expiry date
packaging condition
where they are stored
whether staff know they are available

Some AEDs do not use separate paediatric pads and instead use a child mode, switch or key.

Know how your particular device works.

Current Resuscitation Council UK guidance says that an AED can be used on any age group if it is the only device available. For children under eight, paediatric attenuation should be used when available, but defibrillation should not be delayed if it is unavailable.

We cover this separately in our guide to using an AED on a child or baby.

Check the AED Cabinet Too

The defibrillator itself is only part of the installation.

The cabinet needs checking as part of your AED maintenance routine.

For an indoor cabinet, look for:

damage
accessibility
functioning door
clear signage
obstruction

For an outdoor cabinet, also consider:

water ingress
condensation
heating where fitted
electrical supply where applicable
physical damage
corrosion
cleanliness
door operation
environmental conditions

If an outdoor cabinet is heated, make sure the heating system is functioning as intended.

The AED manufacturer’s permitted storage temperatures still need to be followed.

If an existing cabinet needs replacing, you can view AED cabinets and storage options from Jax First Aid.

Check AED Signage and Accessibility

A perfectly maintained AED is of little value if nobody can find it.

During routine checks, look beyond the machine.

Ask:

Is the AED still clearly visible?
Are signs present?
Are directional signs correct?
Has furniture blocked access?
Has a room become locked?
Have opening hours changed?
Has building access changed?
Is the cabinet easy to open?

Workplaces change over time.

Departments move, doors become access controlled and buildings are altered.

Your AED maintenance process should therefore include accessibility as well as the physical device.

Our AED placement guidelines explain how to assess the location in more detail.

Register Your AED with The Circuit

Public access AEDs should be registered with The Circuit, the national defibrillator network.

Registration includes information such as:

AED location
brand and model
serial number
accessibility
pad expiry date
rescue-ready status

This allows ambulance services to have current information about available defibrillators.

Registration should not be treated as a one-off task.

The information needs to remain accurate.

Record AED Maintenance Checks on The Circuit

The Circuit asks guardians to record status checks so ambulance services know that the defibrillator is emergency ready.

It also sends reminders.

For example, The Circuit can remind guardians:

to record a status check
when pad expiry is approaching
when a defibrillator has been deployed

This provides a useful external system for supporting routine AED maintenance.

Resuscitation Council UK notes that some ambulance services may not deploy an AED if a check has not been recorded for more than three months.

Keeping the record current is therefore important.

What Is an AED Guardian?

The person responsible for looking after a defibrillator is often called its guardian.

This does not necessarily need to be a first aider.

The guardian’s role is about making sure the equipment remains ready and its information is current.

Responsibilities may include:

performing physical checks
recording checks
monitoring pads
monitoring batteries
responding to faults
checking the cabinet
ordering replacement consumables
updating The Circuit
checking the AED after deployment

Organisations with several AEDs should make responsibilities particularly clear.

Avoid a situation where everybody assumes somebody else is checking them.

AED Maintenance After the Defibrillator Has Been Used

An AED should be checked after every deployment.

Do not simply put it back in the cabinet.

First establish whether it was actually used.

Check:

AED condition
pads
battery status
accessories
carry case
cabinet
rescue-ready indicator

Replace any consumables that were used.

If pads were opened or attached to the casualty, replace them.

Replace gloves, razors, face shields or other single-use accessories where necessary.

Then follow the manufacturer’s instructions for returning the AED to service.

Update The Circuit After an AED Is Used

If the AED is registered with The Circuit, its status also needs attention.

The Circuit may send the guardian a deployment notification when an ambulance service has directed somebody to the AED.

Afterwards, check whether the AED:

has been returned
was used
needs replacement pads
needs other consumables
is displaying its ready indication

Once it is genuinely ready again, update the status on The Circuit.

If the AED is not emergency ready, record this so an ambulance service is not relying on equipment that is temporarily unavailable.

Does an AED Need Professional Servicing?

This is a common question.

The Circuit states that defibrillators do not generally need servicing because most models perform automatic daily, weekly and monthly checks.

That does not mean faults should be ignored.

If the AED:

fails a self-check
shows a fault
stops displaying its rescue-ready indicator
produces an unexpected warning
is physically damaged
has been subject to unusual environmental conditions

contact the manufacturer or supplier and follow their advice.

Do not attempt to dismantle or repair the AED yourself unless you are specifically authorised and competent to do so.

AED Maintenance in the Workplace

For workplaces, AED provision also interacts with health and safety responsibilities.

The Health and Safety Executive explains that there is no general health and safety law requiring every workplace to provide an AED.

However, where an employer decides through its needs assessment to provide one, the Provision and Use of Workplace Equipment Regulations 1998 apply.

The employer should provide appropriate information and written instructions, such as the manufacturer’s instructions.

The wider requirements of PUWER include keeping work equipment in an efficient state, efficient working order and good repair.

A workplace AED should therefore form part of a managed first aid system rather than being treated as a purchase that requires no further attention.

Keep an AED Maintenance Record

A simple record can help organisations demonstrate that checks are actually taking place.

You might record:

date
AED location
rescue-ready status
pad expiry date
battery status
cabinet condition
accessories
signage
accessibility
action required
person completing the check

This can be particularly useful for organisations managing several devices.

The record does not need to become unnecessarily complicated.

Its purpose is to make sure checks happen and identified problems are resolved.

For public access AEDs, status checks should also be recorded on The Circuit.

Common AED Maintenance Mistakes

Problems often come from simple oversights rather than complicated technical faults.

Watch for:

expired pads
low batteries
ignored warning indicators
missing accessories
damaged cabinets
incorrect access information
AEDs moved without updating signs
expired paediatric pads
nobody assigned responsibility
equipment not checked after use
The Circuit record not updated

Another mistake is buying consumables based solely on appearance.

Pads and batteries are model-specific.

Always confirm compatibility with your AED before ordering replacements.

AED Maintenance Checklist

A practical AED maintenance check can include:

Is the AED in its correct location?
Is it displaying its rescue-ready indication?
Are there any fault warnings?
Are the pads in date?
Is pad packaging intact?
Is the battery within its expected life?
Are paediatric pads or equipment in date where provided?
Is the AED physically undamaged?
Is the cabinet in good condition?
Is an outdoor cabinet functioning correctly?
Is the AED clearly signposted?
Is access unobstructed?
Are accessories present?
Is The Circuit information accurate?
Has the check been recorded?
Are any replacement items required?

If anything is wrong, deal with it rather than simply recording the problem for the next check.

AED Maintenance Guidelines. How to Keep a Defibrillator Ready for Use

Good AED Maintenance Keeps Equipment Emergency Ready

AEDs are deliberately designed to require relatively little day-to-day attention.

That simplicity is one of their strengths.

But low maintenance does not mean no maintenance.

Good AED maintenance means having a reliable person or system that makes sure:

the AED says it is ready
pads are in date
the battery is healthy
the cabinet is suitable
the equipment is accessible
records are current
used items are replaced
faults are acted on

The aim is simple.

If somebody experiences a cardiac arrest tomorrow, the defibrillator should be ready today.

Make Sure People Are Confident Using the AED

Keeping the equipment ready is one part of emergency preparedness.

People also need the confidence to act.

Anyone can use an AED by following its instructions, but practical training allows people to practise recognising cardiac arrest, calling 999, performing CPR, attaching AED pads and following the device’s prompts.

Our Emergency First Aid at Work course includes practical CPR and AED use.

For organisations requiring more comprehensive workplace first aid provision, our First Aid at Work course also develops these essential emergency skills.

We provide onsite first aid training across the North East for businesses, schools and other organisations.

If you would like to discuss training for your team, contact First Aid and Safety Training.

You can also see our South Shields training location and customer reviews on Google.

Real Skills, Real Confidence.