What to do if your school defibrillator pads have expired
Electrode pads are a vital part of a defibrillator, having a good connection to the casualty’s chest ensures that a shock can be delivered effectively.
Pads come with an expiry date for this reason – once they pass the date printed on them, the gel adhesive can begin to break down and not be able to form a good connection to the chest and reduce the effectiveness of the shock.
Many schools across the UK benefitted from a nationwide rollout of defibrillators in 2022-2023, with all state schools being supplied with at least one AED.
The typical lifespan of a set of defibrillator pads is around 2 to 3 years, this means that a large number of these defibrillators will contain pads that have expired or are coming up to expiry very soon. It is imperative that these are replaced with new pads to ensure students and staff alike are protected with a rescue-ready defibrillator.
How can I tell if my school defibrillator pads are expired?
Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) are designed to alert the user if there are any issues with the device – including expired pads or battery. It will do this in a couple of ways: by making an audible beeping noise at regular intervals and/or displaying either a red cross, orange flashing light or a solid red light – rather than a green tick or green light.
Defibrillator pads will also have their expiry date printed on the packaging, typically next to an egg timer symbol (see image below). If you find that the expiry date has passed, or is approaching – you should look at purchasing new pads as soon as possible to keep the AED in service and working properly.
What should I do if my school defibrillator pads are expired?
If you discover that your pads are expired, you should immediately look at replacing them. Defib Warehouse offer replacement pads and batteries for almost all defibrillators. You can search for replacements by defibrillator model here.
Part of our service at Defib Warehouse also includes sending you email reminders in the run-up to your pads and batteries expiring. This allows you plenty of time to purchase replacements and keep your school protected.
Alternatively give us a call on 0330 043 5818 or email sales@defibwarehouse.co.uk to discuss your needs,
Why school defibrillators are so important
Sudden Cardiac Arrest isn’t just an adult issue; it can affect children, teachers and parents. With survival chances of someone in cardiac arrest falling by around 10% every minute without a defibrillator, having a rescue-ready defibrillator on-site with pads and battery in date is absolutely vital to keep everyone protected.
An AED on school premises allows lifesaving treatment before paramedics arrive.
