Why Proper AED Maintenance Matters

An Automated External Defibrillator (AED) can help save a life during a sudden cardiac arrest emergency — but only if the device is properly maintained, inspected, and ready to use when needed.

Across Canada, many businesses, schools, churches, gyms, sports facilities, offices, municipalities, and public access defibrillation programs purchase an AED with the best intentions. Unfortunately, over time, regular AED inspections and monthly checks can be forgotten due to staff turnover, busy schedules, lack of training, or uncertainty about maintenance requirements.

At AED.ca, we regularly see organizations discover:

expired AED pads
dead or low batteries
missing rescue kits
failed status indicators
undocumented AED inspections
devices that have not had a monthly AED inspection in years

When a cardiac emergency happens, there may not be a second chance.

Why AED Maintenance Is So Important

An AED is a sophisticated medical device. Even though modern defibrillators perform automatic self-tests, they still require regular AED inspections, preventative maintenance, and compliance checks to ensure they are emergency-ready.

A proper AED maintenance program helps ensure:

the AED is operational
batteries are within expiration dates
pads/electrodes are current
accessories are present
status indicators show “ready”
inspection documentation is complete
the device complies with workplace safety requirements

Without proper AED servicing and monthly readiness checks, organizations may unknowingly leave employees, customers, students, or visitors at risk.

Learn more about workplace AED readiness programs at:
Corporate AED Programs

What Is Included in an AED Inspection?

A proper AED inspection or AED readiness check typically includes:

Monthly AED Inspection Checklist

Verify the AED status indicator is green or shows “OK”
Check battery expiration dates
Check AED pad/electrode expiration dates
Confirm rescue kit contents are complete
Ensure the AED cabinet/alarm is functioning
Verify signage is visible
Confirm the device is accessible
Review documentation logs
Check for physical damage
Confirm the AED is registered if required

These AED monthly checks are commonly referred to as:

AED inspections
AED checks
defibrillator inspections
AED compliance checks
AED operational checks
AED functionality tests
AED monthly maintenance
AED readiness inspections
AED service inspections

No matter what terminology is used, the goal is the same: ensuring the AED works during a cardiac emergency.

You can also review our guide on AED maintenance and servicing here:
AED Maintenance & Service Guide

Are AED Inspections Required in Canada?

AED laws and recommendations vary across Canada depending on the province, workplace type, and industry.

While not every province has mandatory AED legislation for all businesses, many organizations still have:

occupational health and safety obligations
duty-of-care responsibilities
insurance requirements
corporate safety policies
public access defibrillation program standards

In many workplaces, monthly AED inspections and documented AED maintenance logs are considered best practice.

Organizations that fail to maintain a defibrillator may face:

equipment failure during an emergency
liability concerns
compliance issues
failed internal safety audits
increased legal exposure

For this reason, many Canadian businesses now use professional AED program management and full-service AED maintenance plans.

The Most Common AED Maintenance Problems

1. Expired AED Pads

AED electrode pads expire regularly and must be replaced before the expiry date.

Shop replacement pads here:
AED Replacement Pads

2. Expired or Failed Batteries

Many organizations assume the battery is fine because the AED “looks okay.” However, battery performance can degrade or expire without obvious warning signs.

Browse AED batteries here:
AED Batteries

3. Missed Monthly AED Checks

Staff turnover and changing responsibilities often result in missed AED inspections and undocumented compliance checks.

4. Missing Rescue Supplies

Items such as gloves, razors, scissors, masks, and wipes are frequently missing from AED rescue kits.

View AED accessories and rescue kits here:
AED Accessories & Rescue Kits

5. Improper Storage

Heat, cold, moisture, or inaccessible storage locations can damage an AED or delay emergency response time.

Who Can Perform an AED Inspection?

Basic AED monthly inspections can often be performed internally by trained staff members. However, many organizations prefer outsourcing AED maintenance and compliance management to experienced AED providers.

Professional AED service programs may include:

scheduled monthly AED inspections
compliance tracking
battery and pad replacement reminders
inspection documentation
preventative maintenance
operational testing
emergency support
loaner AED programs
software and firmware verification

This helps reduce the risk of inspections being forgotten.

Why Canadian Organizations Choose Full-Service AED Programs

A growing number of Canadian businesses, schools, sports organizations, churches, and municipalities are moving toward fully managed AED compliance programs because they:

reduce administrative workload
improve inspection consistency
simplify documentation
help maintain compliance
ensure batteries and pads are replaced on time
improve emergency readiness

At AED.ca, our AED maintenance and AED inspection programs are designed specifically for Canadian organizations that want confidence their defibrillator is always ready.

How Often Should an AED Be Checked?

Most manufacturers and safety programs recommend:

regular visual AED checks
documented monthly AED inspections
post-use inspections after every rescue event
replacement of expired batteries and pads as needed

Some facilities may also require:

annual AED audits
emergency equipment inspections
facility AED compliance reviews

Always follow the recommendations from your AED manufacturer and your workplace safety requirements.

Need help selecting an AED? Compare available models here:
Shop AEDs in Canada

What Happens If an AED Is Not Maintained?

An unmaintained AED may:

fail to power on
fail self-tests
have expired pads
have insufficient battery power
create delays during a rescue
expose organizations to liability risks

The reality is that many organizations fully intend to maintain their AED, but busy operations and staff changes often cause inspections to get overlooked.

That’s why having a documented AED maintenance and inspection process is critical.

You may also want to read:

https://aed.ca/blogs/news/the-missing-piece-in-aed-ownership-a-proper-maintenance-pla

AED Maintenance Services Across Canada

AED.ca provides AED inspections, AED maintenance programs, AED accessories, replacement pads and batteries, and full-service AED support for organizations across Canada.

We support:

schols
workplaces
gyms
churches
municipalities
sports facilities
healthcare facilities
public access defibrillation programs
national corporate AED programs

Whether you need monthly AED inspections, defibrillator maintenance, AED compliance support, or complete AED program management, our team can help.

About AED.ca

AED.ca is a Canadian AED supplier specializing in Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), AED maintenance programs, replacement pads and batteries, workplace AED programs, and public access defibrillation solutions across Canada. AED.ca helps organizations improve cardiac emergency preparedness through professional support, compliance assistance, training coordination, and full-service AED management programs.