Can AEDs Survive The Winter?
Would you leave your laptop outside in the winter? How about your cell phone? Likely not, because we know that electronic devices cannot handle extreme cold. AEDs fall into the same category of electronic devices and, therefore, extra precautions must be taken during the winter months to protect them.
AEDs can survive the winter, but there is a caveat – proper AED storage.
What Temperatures Can An AED Handle?
If you are a resident of Alberta, Canada, then you know that temperatures regularly drop below zero during the winter months, making AED storage absolutely paramount. The typical operating temperature range for an AED is 0 – 50 degrees Celsius (32 – 122 Fahrenheit), as is the case with Philips AEDs. That said, every AED is different, so it is extremely important to reference your AEDs manufacturer-specific operations manual.
How Can Cold Affect AEDs?
As with any electronic device, cold is a major threat. Given that AEDs are often necessary in cardiac emergencies, and cardiac emergencies are more prevalent in the cold, the threats that extreme cold pose against AEDs are something that needs to be considered.
Drained Battery
Most batteries use a positive and negative connection to initiate a chemical reaction that then generates the electric current required to provide power. Low temperatures slow the chemical reaction and the battery produces less current as a result, weakening its overall power.
AEDs need batteries to function. An AED failing to operate as a result of a dead or severely impaired battery could have dire consequences. A
drained battery also means that an AED will not be able to perform routine daily, weekly, or monthly self-checks to ensure that it is working optimally.
For more information on how to keep your AED functioning properly, read our AED Monthly Maintenance blog.
Pad Malfunction
AEDs deliver life-saving defibrillation through electrode pads. Because the gel on the adhesive pads is often water-based, cold exposure can lead to freezing, rendering them useless in an emergency situation.
How Should I Store My AED During The Winter?
In some cases, public AEDs are stored outside for easy, around-the-clock access. Before winter arrives, proactive AED storage adjustments should be made to ensure that the AED is protected from below freezing temperatures.
Bring Inside
If you cannot guarantee appropriate AED storage, then the device should be brought inside to avoid freezing temperatures altogether. Personal AEDs stored in vehicles should be taken inside in the evenings or whenever the vehicle is parked outdoors for long periods of time. AEDs that are stored outside could be moved to more suitable cabinets indoors. Remember, if your AED is beeping or flashing, it requires immediate attention. Bring inside and let it naturally return to a normal temperature.
Check out our OnSite cabinet options here.
Store Appropriately
If you are unable to bring your AED inside, make sure you are storing it appropriately. For example, if you carry an AED in your vehicle, an insulated case can help protect the device from extreme cold. For added protection, do not store the AED in the trunk of your vehicle. Instead, opt to store it upfront where it is heated.
For our selection of OnSite AED case options, click here.
Invest In An Appropriate Outdoor Cabinet
If you are planning to keep your AED outdoors during the winter months, then you might want to think about investing in a heated/weatherproof cabinet. Heated cabinets utilize temperature sensors that trigger a fan system to circulate warmth when temperatures get too low. Like the AEDs themselves, these cabinets also have a temperature threshold, so make sure you do your research before purchasing.
Still unsure how to care for your AED in the winter? Contact us for more information and resources!
