Frequently Asked Questions

Setting up a new Philips HeartStart device is simple and quick. Simply open the red carry case and lift out the Philips HeartStart AED. Then follow the instructions on the card.

1. Pull the green tab to start the automatic battery self-test. The defibrillator will tell you it is testing.
2. Press the flashing orange Shock button when the voice tells you to. (No shock will be given.)
3. Press the green On/Off button when the voice tells you to.
4. Wait about one minute. When the Philips HeartStart passes the self-test, the defibrillator turns off and the green Ready light starts blinking to show that the defibrillator is in standby mode and ready for use. Then reinstall the defibrillator in its carry case.

Yes, as long as a battery is installed, the Philips HeartStart devices automatically test itself every day and alerts you if it finds a problem. The defibrillator also runs a pads self-test each time a pads cartridge is inserted.

You can also test the defibrillator at any time by removing the battery for five seconds then reinstalling it. The Philips HeartStart defibrillator will automatically initiate a self-test.  This test takes about one minute. Because the battery insertion self-test is very detailed and uses battery power, running it more often than necessary will drain the battery prematurely. It is recommended that you run the battery insertion self-test only:

• when the defibrillator is first put into service
• after the defibrillator is used to treat a patient
• when the battery is replaced
• when the defibrillator may have been damaged

If you need to use the defibrillator in an emergency while you are running a battery self-test, press the green On/Off button to by-pass the test and it is ready to use.

The user should briefly press the blue i-button to hear a possible reason for the alert tones.  Then, perform any recommended action as instructed by the defibrillator; for example, if instructed by the defibrillator, replace the battery or the pads cartridge.

Other possible reasons and suggested actions when the AED emits single-chirp tones are:

• The defibrillator may have been turned off without a pads cartridge installed, or the installed pads cartridge may not have its hard cover in place.
  • To resolve: Make sure the pads cartridge is properly installed with the hard cover in place.
• The Practice (Training) pads have been left in the defibrillator.
  • To resolve: Remove the Practice (Training) pads and replace with  a Philips HeartStart SMART Pads
• The defibrillator has been stored outside the recommended temperature range.
  • To resolve: Keep the defibrillator within the recommended temperature range as noted in the Philips HeartStart User’s Manual (Instructions for Use).
• The defibrillator has detected an error during self-test or cannot perform a self-test.
  • To resolve: If replacing the ECG pads cartridge and the battery does not resolve the issue, please reach out to First Edition

If at any time during the life of the device, your defibrillator emitted or begins to emit a pattern of triple chirps, it is important that you remove the device from use, and contact First Edition. If the Philips HeartStart emits a pattern of triple chirps, it is a signal that the device requires investigation by Philips to ensure that it is ready for use. Of course, if needed for use in an emergency, make every attempt to clear the error and use the device normally, as described in the Owner’s Manual. However, even if you have been able to clear the error, it is important that you contact First Edition to obtain the tools and information you need to ensure that your device is functioning properly.

The Philips HeartStart defibrillator is very simple to maintain. The defibrillator performs a self-test every day. In addition, a battery insertion self-test is run whenever a battery is installed in the device. The defibrillator’s extensive automatic self-test features eliminate the need for any manual calibration. The Philips HeartStart has no user serviceable parts.

Yes, the Philips HeartStart devices provide clear, calm, audible prompts that guide the user through the process of using the device.

In its default configuration, the Philips HeartStart defibrillators provide basic verbal instructions for performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation, including hand placement, rescue breathing, compression depth and timing, provided by the Philips HeartStart when the flashing blue i-button is pressed during the first 30 seconds of a patient care pause. If the Infant/Child Pads Cartridge is inserted in the Philips HeartStart, the CPR Coaching provided will be for infant/child CPR

Six models of ECG pads cartridges can be used with the Philips HeartStart AED devices:

• Onsite AED: Adult SMART Pads Cartridge [REF: M5071A]
• Onsite AED: Infant/Child SMART Pads Cartridge [REF: M5072A]
• Onsite AED: Adult Training Pads Cartridge [REF: M5073A]
• Onsite AED: Infant/Child Training Pads Cartridge [REF: M5074A]
• FRx AED: SMART Pads II [REF: 989803139261]
• FRx AED: Adult Training Pads Cartridge [REF: 989803139271]

The Philips HeartStart practice (training) pads are for practicing how to use your Philips HeartStart AEDs. They cannot be used to treat sudden cardiac arrest. Store the practice pads separately from your Philips HeartStart defibrillator.

These pads have an expiration date of two years from the date of manufacture and they should be checked and replaced as needed.

The pads must also be replaced if the Philips HeartStart AED detects a pads failure during its regular self-test.

NOTE:  To prevent the pads’ adhesive gel from drying out, do not open the hard cover or film seal of the cartridge until you need to use the pads.

The used pads may be contaminated with body tissue, fluid, or blood. Dispose of them as infectious waste. If unused, cut the cord and dispose the pads as regular waste. Recycle the case at an appropriate recycling facility.

Your Philips HeartStart defibrillator is equipped with a disposable, long-life battery (part number M5070A) that will typically last for four years in standby mode. It is recommended that you keep a spare battery available at all times. Keep the spare battery in its protective plastic bag until it is needed for use. When the battery power gets low, the defibrillator will alert you in several ways: it will begin chirping, the green Ready light will stop blinking, and the blue i-button will start flashing.

To replace the battery:

1. Make sure you have a pads cartridge installed in the defibrillator.
2. Locate the battery compartment on the back of the defibrillator.
3. Press the tab attached to the top of the battery to release the catch. Remove the battery.
4. Slide a new battery into place. Check to see that its latch is holding it in place.
5. A battery insertion self-test will automatically run. It is important to press the Shock button when instructed to ensure that the defibrillator will be ready for use. Be sure to let the self-test run all the way to completion. When the self-test is complete, make sure that the green Ready light is blinking. Your Philips HeartStart defibrillator is ready for use.

The power source for the Philips HeartStart devices is a 9 VDC, 4.2 Ah battery pack. It contains 9 LiMnO2 battery cells, similar to those used in cameras. The battery pack is non-rechargeable. You should replace the battery every 4 years.

Anytime that a battery is suspected of being low or having problems, the first troubleshooting step should be to perform a Battery Insertion Test (BIT) using the suspect battery, which is initiated by removing then re-inserting the battery into the unit. If the unit passes a BIT with no indications of battery problems, the unit and battery are both ready for service. Other conditions, such as keeping the unit outside the recommended storage temperature can cause failure messages similar to a low battery message. These messages will be cleared out with a successful BIT. If the unit does not pass the BIT, the BIT should be reattempted with a known good battery in order to determine if the battery is the cause of the failed BIT. If the unit again does not pass, please reach out to First Edition.

A minimum of 5 years from the date of manufacture when stored and maintained according to directions provided in the Philips HeartStart Owner’s Manual.

The battery will have a working life of 4 years from the install date if the battery is installed into the Philips HeartStart AED device before the printed “Install By” date and if it was stored and maintained according to directions provided in the Philips HeartStart Owner’s Manual

The battery cells contain chemicals. The chemistry used in each battery is identified by a symbol on the label; symbols are defined in the defibrillator Owner’s Manual. Recycle the battery at an appropriate recycling facility.