Defibrillator & Accessories FAQs

All batteries have life span, after which they will need to be replaced. On the battery there will be an expiry date next to infographic of an egg timer. Please note, the date will be MM-DD-YYYY. Once the battery has passed this date the green LED or green tick will change to a red LED or a red cross indicating that there is an issue with the device. We offer a free of charge reminder service, you will receive a text or email to advise you that it is time to purchase a new battery.

All defibrillators will run their own self diagnostic tests, these may be daily, weekly, and / or monthly depending on the make and model of your device.

There is no legal obligation to ensure that the defibrillator is regularly serviced however regular checks ensure it is always ready for action if required. It is the Health and Safety Manager's responsibility to ensure that the pads have not exceeded their standby life and that the battery is fully charged. All defibrillators carry out automatic self-tests which would indicate if there is a problem, but regular checks by a member of staff are necessary to detect whether the AED has detected an issue during its self-test.

For added security against misuse you may wish to have a lockable cabinet, for indoor cabinets, it is important that the key or key holder is easily accessible so that the defib can be removed quickly in the event of an emergency.

For outdoor cabinets, code locks give additional security against casual vandalism and theft, but may signal the device is valuable and other crime prevention measures, like door-open alarms and tracking devices, should be considered instead of or as well as a code lock. This is in line with guidance from the Resuscitation Council UK. If your defib is to used as a public access device, you will need to make sure that your local ambulance service is willing to store the access code so that in an emergency the cabinet can be unlocked.

Defibrillators can be kept outside but must be kept in specially designed outdoor heated cabinets to protect them against the elements. Defibrillators have an operating temperature, usually between 0 °C to +50 °C, if the temperature falls below 0 °C the defib may not work as expected. Prolonged exposure to low temperatures is likely to significantly shorten the service life of the battery and affect the performance of the pads. Most defibs have an IP Rating of IP55 meaning that prolonged exposure to wind (dust) and rain may also damage the defib meaning that it may not work when required in an emergency.

Choosing the right defibrillator depends on where and how it will be used. For public spaces or workplaces, a fully automatic defibrillator is ideal — it delivers the shock without user intervention, making it easier for untrained responders. Semi-automatic defibrillators are also popular and require the user to press a button to deliver the shock. If you're buying for a school, gym, office, or home, look for models with clear voice prompts, long battery life, and easy maintenance. We stock trusted brands like Zoll, IPAD, and Philips — all compliant with UK safety standards. If you're unsure, our team is happy to help you choose the best AED for your needs.

Read our handy defibrillator buying guide to find out about the different types of defibrillators and their features.

A fully automatic defibrillator delivers a shock automatically and is ideal for use by untrained individuals and the general public.

A semi-automatic defibrillator calculates when the shock needs to be delivered and prompts the user to press a button to administer it. Semi-automatic defibrillators are therefore more suitable for a trained user or healthcare professional.

Read our defibrillator information guide for more information.

No, a defibrillator will only shock if a shock is required so you are be unable to shock someone maliciously or by accident. Semi-automatic AEDs will advise responders when a shock is required and responders have to press a button to deliver shock, while fully-auto defibrillators automatically deliver shocks as necessary, if a shock is required. Both kinds of defibs provide clear warnings in advance of a shock being administered so that responders know not to touch the patient at that time.

No they are not, you will need to make sure that you purchase the correct electrodes (pads) for the make and model of defibrillator that you have. If you are unsure please contact us at support@safelincs.co.uk or on 0800 612 6537 where a member of our knowledgeable team will be able to assist you.

Until recently, there were no legal requirements to have a defibrillator in any location in the UK. Most workplaces and public spaces currently have no legal requirement to provide an AED, with schools being the exception. The Department for Education have announced that by the end of the academic year 2022/2023, all schools in England should has at least one AED on the premises.

Even without legislation, many businesses and public bodies recognise the life-saving role of an AED and choose to purchase a defib for the workplace or as a public access device (PAD)

If you would like to know where your nearest defib is, you can check here; https://www.defibfinder.uk/.

This helpful tool to show all defibs that have been registered with The Circuit - The National Defibrillator Network. If you are an AED owner / guardian and would like to register your device you can do so here.

Defibs can be used on infants from the age of 1 years old. Ensure that 1 pad goes on their front and one on their back, which is a different placement to those required for patients over 8 years old. Please check your defib and user manual for the exact pad placement, as some models of defibs use different pads for adults and children while others have a key or toggle switch to reduce the amount of energy (joules) to make them suitable to use on children.

Yes they can - most pacemakers are implanted on the upper left side of a persons chest. When it comes to using an automated external defibrillator (AED), the pads are usually placed on the upper right side of the chest and on the side of the rib cage under the left arm, so a pacemaker or implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) shouldn’t get in the way. Always check your defib user manual for correct pad placement for your device.

Most defibs have a green flashing LED to show that the defib is ready to be used; there are a few models which may show a tick or solid green circle instead. Defibs do daily, weekly and / or monthly self-checks, and if the device finds a fault then it will show a red flashing LED or X instead. It is recommended that defibs should be visually checked on a weekly basis to make sure they are always ready to be used in an emergency. If the red warning is showing it may mean that the pads or batteries require replacement and these should be checked and replacements ordered if necessary. More information can be found in our Defibrillator Maintenance help guide, the user manual for the defib that you have, or contact our team on 0800 612 6537 or support@safelincs.co.uk for help and assistance.

Firstly, refer to the user manual this will have a section for troubleshooting that will show the different reasons why your defib may be flashing or showing a warning symbol. If you no longer have the user manual you should be able to find this find this on the manufacturers website, alternatively, we may have this under technical data tab in our defib section.

You can inspect your AED and accessories for rescue ready status & expiry dates yourself, or book our defib inspection service. An engineer will check the defib and advise if any corrective actions are required to ensure that the unit is ready to use in an emergency.

Make a note of the expiry date of your defibrillator pads or batteries when the AED is purchased or they are replaced. During your regular defibrillator checks, note the expiry date of the pads and batteries to ensure they are still in date. Alternatively, you can sign up to our FREE reminder service where you will receive a text or email to remind you to purchase pads and batteries - you can setup Defibrillator Reminders here. The lifespan of your defibrillator pads or batteries will depend on the manufacturer or model.

You will need to change the pads if your defib has been used, this may be a combined battery and pad unit, depending on the defib you have. You may wish to consider keeping a spare set with your defib so that you can instantly replace them. Alternatively, for most models of defibs you will be able to get a replacement set of pads by the next working day

A defibrillator (AED) can start from around £700 ex VAT and these will include a set of pads and the battery.

There are additional accessories that you can purchase including paediatric pads, carry cases, wall brackets and indoor / outdoor cabinets. It is recommended that you purchase suitable storage solution to protect your defib which also makes it easier to locate in an emergency.