A Real-World AED Inspection That Shows Why Expertise Matters
Today, I visited a client location to inspect their Automated External Defibrillator (AED).
At first glance, it appeared that they had done exactly what a responsible organization should do. They had purchased replacement AED pads and a replacement battery, and the necessary supplies were there.
There was just one serious problem:
They had not been installed correctly.
As a result, the AED was not rescue-ready.
Had someone experienced sudden cardiac arrest and the AED been needed in an emergency, the organization could have discovered at the worst possible moment that their life-saving equipment was not ready to operate as intended.
It was an important reminder of something we emphasize every day at AED.ca:
Proper AED maintenance involves much more than ordering replacement parts and hoping they have been installed correctly.
Buying AED Replacement Parts Is Only Part of AED Maintenance
Replacing expired or depleted components is an important part of maintaining an AED. Electrode pads have expiration dates, batteries require monitoring and replacement, and different AED manufacturers have different maintenance requirements.
But simply ordering new AED pads and batteries doesn't necessarily mean the AED is properly maintained.
Someone still needs to know:
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Whether the replacement pads are correct for that specific AED
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How the pads should be installed and connected
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Whether the battery has been installed correctly
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How to confirm the AED recognizes the new components
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What the AED's readiness indicator should display
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Whether the device has successfully completed its self-test
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Whether there are warnings, fault indicators or service issues
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Whether additional accessories are missing or expired
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When the new pads and battery will require replacement
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How the maintenance and inspection should be documented
That is the difference between buying AED parts and actually maintaining an AED.
An AED Isn't Something You Want to Troubleshoot During an Emergency
AEDs are designed to be straightforward to use during a cardiac emergency, but maintaining them requires an understanding of the particular device.
Different AED manufacturers use different batteries, electrode pads, connectors, status indicators, self-test procedures and replacement processes.
A ZOLL AED is not maintained exactly the same way as a LIFEPAK AED. A Philips HeartStart has different components and indicators than a Cardiac Science Powerheart or Defibtech AED.
That matters.
When an organization has an AED hanging on the wall, there is a natural assumption that it is ready.
But looking ready and being rescue-ready are not necessarily the same thing.
Today's inspection was a perfect example. The organization had invested in the replacement parts, but without the right installation and verification, the AED was not properly prepared for an emergency.
AED.ca Specializes in AEDs
This is where experience makes a significant difference.
At AED.ca, AEDs aren't simply one product category among hundreds of unrelated safety products. AEDs are our specialty.
We have extensive knowledge of the AED models used across Canada, including devices from manufacturers such as:
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ZOLL
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Stryker / Physio-Control LIFEPAK
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Philips
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Cardiac Science
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Defibtech
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HeartSine
We understand the differences between AED models, their pads, batteries, readiness indicators, maintenance requirements and common issues.
That expertise is especially important for organizations with older AEDs or companies managing multiple brands and models across several locations.
You shouldn't have to become an AED expert just because your organization owns an AED.
That's our job.
The AED.ca Full-Service AED Maintenance Program
We created the AED.ca Full-Service AED Maintenance Plan because we saw the same problems repeatedly.
Organizations wanted to maintain their AEDs properly, but responsibility often fell to someone whose primary job had nothing to do with AEDs.
Someone had to remember to check the device.
Someone had to monitor pad expiration dates.
Someone had to know when the battery needed replacement.
Someone had to order the correct parts.
Someone had to install those parts correctly.
Someone had to verify that the AED was rescue-ready.
And someone had to document everything.
Our Full-Service AED Maintenance Plan is designed to take much of that burden off your organization.
Depending on the program, AED.ca can provide:
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Annual on-site AED inspection and readiness checks
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Replacement AED pads
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Replacement AED batteries
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AED inspection certification
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Maintenance records and documentation
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Pad and battery expiry tracking
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AED registry support
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Compliance and regulatory support
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Loaner AED coverage when required
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Priority access to AED specialists
You can learn more about the complete program on our AED Full-Service Maintenance Plans page.
We've Added Digital AED Tracking
We've also taken our maintenance program another step forward.
AED.ca now uses digital technology to scan, identify and track important information about your AED.
Our system allows AED information to be digitally recorded and managed so that critical details aren't dependent on a paper checklist tucked inside a cabinet or someone's calendar reminder.
Information can include details such as:
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AED manufacturer and model
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AED identification information
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Location
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Inspection information
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Pad information and expiry dates
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Battery information
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Maintenance history
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Service records
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Other important AED program information
By combining physical AED inspections with digital AED tracking, we can create a much more complete maintenance history for each device.
This becomes particularly valuable for organizations operating multiple AEDs or managing devices across multiple locations.
Instead of wondering:
"When were these pads replaced?"
"When does this battery need to be changed?"
"When was this AED last inspected?"
"Who checked this device?"
There is a documented maintenance record.
Replacement Parts + Expertise + Inspection + Tracking
That is ultimately what makes a comprehensive AED maintenance program different from simply purchasing supplies.
Buying replacement pads and batteries is important.
But parts alone don't inspect your AED.
Parts don't confirm they were installed correctly.
Parts don't check the readiness indicator.
Parts don't identify another potential problem with the device.
Parts don't track the next expiration date.
And parts don't create a maintenance record.
Proper AED maintenance requires the right parts, installed correctly, followed by verification that the AED is actually rescue-ready.
That's what today's client visit demonstrated so clearly.
A Full-Service Approach to AED Maintenance in Canada
AED.ca's approach brings together the different elements of AED ownership into one managed program:
Inspection → Replacement Parts → Proper Installation → Readiness Verification → Documentation → Digital Tracking → Ongoing Support
Rather than simply selling you replacement supplies and leaving the rest to your organization, our goal is to help manage the entire AED maintenance process.
We believe our combination of AED expertise, on-site inspection, included replacement pads and batteries, readiness verification, digital tracking, documentation, loaner coverage and ongoing support makes the AED.ca program uniquely comprehensive in the Canadian market.
If you're comparing AED maintenance companies in Canada, don't just ask:
"Do you sell replacement pads and batteries?"
Ask:
"Who is making sure my AED is actually rescue-ready?"
That's the question that matters.
Is Your AED Actually Rescue-Ready?
If you have an AED in your workplace, office, school, church, gym, community facility or public building, take a look at it today.
Don't assume that because replacement parts were purchased—or even installed—that everything is correct.
Check the status indicator.
Check the pads.
Check the battery.
Check the expiration dates.
Check your inspection records.
And if you're not completely confident that everything has been installed and maintained correctly, have an AED specialist inspect it.
You can also read our guide to AED maintenance and inspections in Canada
Better yet, consider putting your AED under the AED.ca Full-Service AED Maintenance Plan and let AED specialists help manage the details.
The Bottom Line
An AED on the wall isn't enough. Replacement parts in a box aren't enough. And even new parts inside the AED aren't enough if they haven't been installed correctly.
The real goal is simple:
Your AED needs to be rescue-ready when someone's life depends on it.
That's why AED maintenance should be treated as a professional, ongoing program—not simply a reminder to order pads and batteries every few years.
At AED.ca, we know AEDs.
We know the equipment. We know the replacement components. We know the maintenance requirements. And we're continually improving how AED information is inspected, documented and tracked.
Because when an AED is needed, there isn't time to discover something was done incorrectly.
About AED.ca
AED.ca is a Canadian AED company specializing in Automated External Defibrillators, replacement AED pads and batteries, AED inspections and full-service AED maintenance programs. We help Canadian businesses, workplaces and organizations purchase, maintain and manage their AEDs so their life-saving equipment is ready when needed.
Our Full-Service AED Maintenance Plan combines professional inspection, replacement components, maintenance documentation, digital tracking and ongoing AED specialist support into a comprehensive program.
About Martin Andrews
Martin Andrews is President of AED.ca, a Canadian company focused exclusively on AED sales, maintenance and support. Martin works directly with Canadian organizations to help them select, inspect and properly maintain their AEDs, with a particular focus on ensuring devices remain rescue-ready throughout their service life.
