Now that you have a Philips HeartStart AED, a common question I hear is, “how do I maintain my AED?” There are some basic steps you can take to ensure your OnSite or FRx device is ready to use.
Visually check the device’s ready for use indicator light is flashing green. This light
is located right above the green on/off button.
Visually check the expiration date of the AED pads. Do not open the seal on the OnSite SMART Pads Cartridge or peel the FRx SMART Pads from the gray case. This will cause them to expire before the published expiration date. Your device will eventually audibly chirp at you (more on that later).
Keep a record of when you purchased your device because that will tell you the age of the battery (expiration dates are calculated 4 years from the date they are installed in the AED unit.)
The device does the rest for you. A great feature of the Philips HeartStart AEDs is that they maintain themselves. Each device performs daily, weekly, and monthly self tests to make sure it is running properly and in the correct range of temperatures to operate.
If for some reason the device finds an issue during one of these checks, the Onsite and FRx models will make an audible chirping noise to alert you and the green ready for use indicator light will turn amber in color. The device is equipped with an information button, a blue button with a white "i" that when pressed, will provide verbal feedback on what the device needs. It might say, “replace pads” or “battery is low, replace the battery.“
It’s really that simple. Visually checking that your pads and batteries are not expired is the most important task in maintaining your AED. The device will do the rest. With these basic steps you will have peace of mind that your device is ready when you are.
*Image Credit: Philips Healthcare.
