The status indicator must be checked daily. You must look for a flashing black hourglass, which means that the device is all set for use. If you cannot see a flashing black hourglass on the automated external defibrillator, you must notify an authorized person that will check your device. A trained person must perform these checks each day.

A check must be carried out on a monthly basis, and this should be done by an AED Coordinator. After having used an AED, the AED Coordinator will have to restock any used electrode pads, replace the batteries, PC cards and kit gloves. The unused supplies must be checked so as to be intact and within the expiry dates. The batteries must be replaced and a battery insertion test (BIT) must be carried out before putting the AED back in use ? this is a key factor in AED maintenance procedures.

Automated external defibrillator maintenance tips

You have to make sure that the cover has no fissures or loose components. All the cables of the device must be without fissures, cuts or broken wires. The exterior and the connector must be cleaned and disinfected to prevent any contamination with unnecessary bacteria. A cleaning of the whole AED unit may be done. Take a look in the User's guide to find a suitable cleaning agent. Check the status indicator after each use to see if it is ready for use. Also check the energy delivery, ECG analysis results, the indicators and if the voice or audible prompts still function. Make sure the emergency AED kit contains all the equipment needed for intervention. It is highly important that these devices are kept in proper conditions and checked regularly so that no incident will take you by surprise. There are also maintenance-free AEDs available on the market.

The Good Samaritan Law and AEDs

When facing an AED intervention, you must be ready to perform CPR, and you will also have to be ready for blood exposure. In most American states there is the good faith policy that functions in emergency intervention cases. This means that any person using an AED in emergency falls under the Good Samaritan Laws. So the person performing resuscitation using an AED kit will not be held responsible for the harm or death that might be the consequence of an AED intervention . This is regarded as non-intentional harm and therefore the person who has failed to bring the patient back to life cannot be held legally responsible. So in most American states the Good Samaritan Law provides protection both for the trained and untrained AED users. However, inattentive use of an AED may cause involuntary manslaughter and sometimes may end up with legal charges- like a case in Virginia in June 2005. This gives us even more reasons to consider AED maintenance as an important task.