AED Monthly Maintenance: Battery Life & Component Expiration Dates
Do you have an AED that is stored safely away and ready for use in case of emergency? That’s great news – And when was the last time you checked it? Are you confident that the batteries are in working order? Are the AED components functional? Below are some helpful tips to ensuring your AED is ready to use at a moments notice! Hopefully the need never arises, but performing monthly AED maintenance is important.
Are the batteries in your AED expired?
When you purchase a Philips-brand AED from First Edition First Aid Training Inc., we will
add your expiry dates into your system and notify you prior to their expiry. We also recommend you track expiry dates in your own maintenance folder as well. Though you may not be using the AED, the battery is active every day.
The Heartstart FRx and Heartstart Onsite use the same battery, which has a four-year shelf life and four-year install life. As a good rule of thumb, as soon as you install one battery, you should order a replacement battery as a backup in case the other one dies. AEDs perform daily self checks and will notify you via a chirping sound if maintenance is required. However, when it comes to emergencies, we encourage preventive measures of replacing accessories at least one month prior to expiration.
Where to find an AED Battery Expiration Date
On front of each battery (so it is visible when installed) there is a white sticker with the 
words “Install Before” and a date next to it. This date (year, month, day) is when the AED battery will need to be installed in order to guarantee the full four year battery life. This expiry date can be found both on a white label on the battery itself, as well as the outer packaging that the battery comes in.
What about the other AED components?
Aside from the battery, the other AED component that needs to be replaced are the Pads. 
Onsite AED SMART Pads and FRx AED SMART Pads II expire after two years as the gel adhesive begins to deteriorate and may not make proper contact with a patient.
Monthly maintenance
Please regularly inspect your AED and keep a detailed maintenance record to ensure the readiness and integrity of the device. Refer to the user manual for your specific AED model for maintenance schedules.
