Maintenance of an AED is not a one-time job, but consists of:

Monthly visual check

Each month, check that your AED is still in its designated place and that its status indicator is green (usually a blinking light or checkmark). Also, check that the cabinet is undamaged and that the resuscitation kit (with scissors and a breathing mask) is complete. If you see a red light, the AED beeps, or you notice any damage to the AED or cabinet, maintenance is required. 

Attention: It is important that you, during checks, have the electrode packaging not open. This is because oxygen can reach the electrodes, causing the gel pads to dry out and work less effectively during actual use. 

Annual professional inspection

During an annual on-site maintenance visit, our service team can check if your AED is still 100% ready for use. This includes checking if software updates are available to ensure the device complies with the latest resuscitation guidelines of the NRR (Dutch Resuscitation Council). Our Extra and All-in service subscriptions include such an annual on-site maintenance visit. 

Direct control in deployment

Was the AED used during resuscitation? Then maintenance is essential to ensure the AED is quickly ready for use again. This requires replacing the electrodes and sometimes the battery(ies). You also need to check the Rescue Kit and replenish it if necessary. And do you store your AED in a cabinet? Then it is advisable to check after use whether the cabinet has not been damaged and, if necessary, apply a new seal. 

Replacement electrodes and battery

The electrodes (pads) and the battery of an AED have a limited lifespan, also if the AED is not used. The gel on the electrodes dries out over time, causing them to no longer conduct properly. The capacity of the battery also decreases due to the AED's automatic self-tests. 

It varies by type and brand of AED how long the electrodes and battery are exactly usable. You can find these dates on the packaging. For batteries, the shelf life starts from the moment the battery is installed in the AED. 

Do you have at AED-Partner a service subscription for your AED? Then you can find all your expiration dates clearly in our Customer Portal.

AEDs perform an automatic self-test daily or weekly. The AED checks the battery capacity, among other things. If the AED detects a deviation, it will go into error mode and maintenance is required. 

It is important not to rely solely on self-tests for optimal deployability. For a check of external factors, you yourself remain necessary and responsible. Think for example: is the AED still in the right place? Is the bag, case, or cabinet damaged? And: is the Rescue Kit still with the AED? We therefore recommend doing a visual check yourself at least once a month.

The owner or manager of the AED is responsible for the proper functioning of the device. Within a company, this is often the prevention officer or first aid coordinator. In a neighborhood AED The responsibility lies with the (neighborhood) foundation or the person in whose name the device is registered. We recommend always appointing one clear responsible person who carries out periodic (visual) checks and arranges for maintenance and replacement of parts.

The costs of maintenance depend on how you arrange the maintenance. You can choose to keep track of when parts need to be replaced yourself. You can then order individual parts yourself. A set of electrodes costs between € 60 and € 120. A battery costs between € 75 and € 500. For some brands, there are also affordable multipacks (battery and electrodes).

However, most people opt for a Service Subscription, ensuring the AED is always operational. Other terms commonly used for this service include: service agreement, service contract, and maintenance contract. The costs for our Service Subscriptions range from €120 to €350 per year, depending on the type of AED and the chosen services. 

Outsourcing is wise when you want to ensure that the software is always up-to-date and you don't want to worry about component expiration dates. You will also always receive a replacement AED from us if yours needs to be checked for repair or after deployment.