The Complete AED Maintenance Checklist
An AED is only lifesaving if it works the moment it’s needed. The good news is that maintaining one is simple — but it does require a routine. The most common reason an AED fails in an emergency isn’t a malfunction; it’s an expired set of pads or a depleted battery that no one was tracking.
Use the checklist below to keep every device in your facility rescue-ready. It works whether you manage one AED or a hundred.
Electrode pads typically expire every 2 to 5 years, and batteries every 2 to 7 years, depending on the brand and model. Both have printed expiration dates. Tracking these two dates is 80% of AED maintenance.
Daily / weekly: the 10-second glance
Most AEDs run an automatic internal self-test and display a status indicator — a green check, a flashing light, or an “OK” symbol. Whoever passes the device most often should know to glance at it:
- Confirm the status indicator shows ready (not a red X, flashing warning, or audible chirp).
- Check that the device is present, visible, and unobstructed in its cabinet or wall mount.
Monthly: the full inspection
Assign one person — your AED Program Coordinator — to run this monthly and log it. A simple sign-off sheet on the cabinet door works well.
- Status indicator: confirm the self-test is passing.
- Pad expiration date: check the date printed on the sealed pad package. Replace before — not on — the expiration date.
- Battery expiration / install-by date: verify the battery is within its service life.
- Spare set present: confirm a backup set of pads is stored with the device.
- Pads sealed and undamaged: packaging intact, not opened or punctured.
- Cabinet and signage: AED sign visible, cabinet alarm working (if equipped), nothing blocking access.
- Cleanliness and accessories: rescue kit present (gloves, razor, scissors, breathing barrier, wipes).
Any time an AED is deployed, the pads must be replaced (they’re single-use), the battery checked, and the device’s event data reviewed and reset. Pull the device back to ready status before it goes back on the wall.
Tracking expiration dates across multiple devices
If you manage more than a couple of AEDs, build a simple spreadsheet — one row per device — listing location, model, pad expiration, and battery expiration. Sort by the nearest expiration date and set a calendar reminder 60 days ahead of each. This single habit prevents the most common — and most dangerous — maintenance failure. For larger fleets, a program-management system can track every device automatically.
Buying pads and batteries reactively means risking a lapse. We can match the correct OEM-compatible pads and battery to your exact device model and remind you before they expire — so your AED is never out of service.
Match replacements to your exact model
Pads and batteries are model-specific. A ZOLL pad will not fit a Philips device. When it’s time to replace, confirm the make and model (printed on the device) and order the matching part:
- Replacement AED electrode pads — by brand and model
- Replacement AED batteries — by brand and model
- Cabinets, signage, and accessories
If a device fails its self-test or shows damage, our service & repair team can help diagnose it.
Keep every device rescue-ready
Tell us your AED make and model — we’ll match the exact pads and battery and help you set a replacement schedule.
Shop Pads & BatteriesNeed help identifying your model? Call 1-888-541-2337
Frequently asked questions
How often should an AED be inspected?
Glance at the status indicator daily or weekly, and perform a full documented inspection monthly. Check pad and battery expiration dates at every monthly inspection.
How often do AED pads expire?
AED electrode pads generally expire every 2 to 5 years depending on the brand and model. Each sealed package has a printed expiration date; replace pads before that date.
How long do AED batteries last?
AED batteries typically last 2 to 7 years depending on the model. Track the expiration or install-by date and replace before it lapses to keep the device ready.
What do I do after an AED has been used?
Replace the single-use pads, verify the battery, review and reset the device’s event data, restock the rescue kit, and return the AED to ready status before placing it back.
