How long does an AED defibrillator last?

At Medisol, we’re often asked, “What is the lifespan of an AED?” or “How long will my AED last?” This page provides detailed information on this topic.

How long does an AED last? Our recommendation is 10 years.

The actual lifespan of an AED depends on many factors, including:

• The brand and type of AED.
• Placement conditions. Dust, moisture, and temperature fluctuations can negatively impact the device’s electronics.
• Maintenance frequency and quality.Whether and how often maintenance has been carried out.

For AEDs covered by a service contract, our policy is to stop issuing approval stickers for devices older than 10 years. This ensures users do not have a false sense of security. Thus, if you ask us how long an AED lasts, we recommend replacing it after 10 years.

The AED has never been used. Should it still be replaced?

“If my AED has never been deployed, does it still need replacing?” Yes, the 10-year replacement advice applies to all AEDs, even those never used in resuscitation. This is due to the technical lifespan of the device.

Technical lifespan of an AED

The AED industry generally applies a lifespan of 10 years. Like other electronics, an AED also has a technical depreciation period. This is not a fixed date but in the case of an AED a depreciation advice to prevent accidents. This period is longer than all official warranty periods and is based on experience and on how corrosion works (which occurs internally and cannot be seen with the naked eye).
An AED operates in standby mode continuously, ready for action at all times. Even if it’s never used, the device remains “on” to perform periodic self-tests and ensure readiness. This constant low-level activity can contribute to wear on its components over time.

Operation of the AED over its lifetime

Some online sources claim that an AED’s shock power decreases with age due to wear on the capacitor. However, this is not true. The shock power remains the same even after 10 years. That said, the capacitor’s recharge time may lengthen with age. Once charged, though, it still delivers the required power.

Experience from our Medisol Service Centre shows that it is exceptional for shock power to deviate from protocol, even in older AEDs. 
However, the risk of malfunction generally increases toward the end of an AED’s technical lifespan. Regularly check the status of your AED to address potential issues in time.

What about an AED that has been used?

An AED can be used multiple times—potentially indefinitely. However, after each use, you must:

1. Inspect the device.
2. Replace the electrodes (they are single-use items)
3. Check and possibly replace the battery.

Electrodes lose effectiveness after use due to diminished adhesive gel quality, affecting cardiac analysis accuracy and shock transmission. For hygienic reasons, electrodes should never be reused on multiple patients. Replacing them immediately after deployment ensures your AED is fully operational for future emergencies.

In general, the number of deployments has minimal impact on the AED’s overall functionality.

How long is the warranty of an AED?

The manufacturer's warranty for AEDs varies, typically ranging from 5 to 8 years. At Medisol, quality and security are paramount, so we offer an extended 10-year warranty for all AEDs*!

This warranty extension applies to devices purchased after July 1, 2020, under our updated warranty scheme.