An AED may sit quietly on a wall for months or years, but its condition matters the moment someone collapses. Knowing how to check AED readiness gives a workplace, school, medical office, or community organization a simple way to confirm that a lifesaving device is available, supplied, and ready to support a sudden cardiac arrest response.
Most modern automated external defibrillators perform internal self-tests. That does not mean an organization can install one, glance at it occasionally, and assume everything is fine. Pads expire, batteries reach replacement dates, cabinets can be blocked, and a device can be moved or damaged without anyone noticing. A brief, documented inspection is one of the most practical parts of maintaining an emergency response program.
Start With the AED Status Indicator
Begin at the device itself. Most AEDs have a visible readiness indicator, often a flashing green light, check mark, or status screen. The exact display varies by manufacturer, so the owner’s manual should always be the final reference. A normal indicator generally means the unit has passed its scheduled self-checks and is detecting a usable battery and connected electrode pads.
If the device displays a red light, warning symbol, text message, or audible alert, treat it as an action item. Do not assume the problem will correct itself. Some alerts identify the issue directly, such as a low battery or expired pads. Others require you to review the manual or contact the manufacturer’s support team.
Check that the AED is powered down and stored as intended. It should not be removed from its case, left open, or stored with loose accessories. Look for signs of physical damage, moisture, cracked plastic, missing labels, or tampering. If a device was dropped, exposed to extreme temperatures, or involved in an incident, it may need a more thorough evaluation even if its status light appears normal.
How to Check AED Readiness: Inspect the Supplies
An AED is more than the main unit. During an emergency, rescuers need the device and its response supplies together. Open the AED case or cabinet according to the manufacturer’s instructions and confirm that the expected items are present, organized, and in usable condition.
The electrode pads deserve close attention. Every pad set has an expiration date because the conductive gel can dry out over time. Confirm that adult pads are sealed, connected correctly if the device requires preconnection, and not expired. If your setting serves children, such as a school, childcare program, recreation facility, or family-focused business, make sure pediatric pads or a pediatric setting key are available when appropriate for your model.
Check the battery expiration or replacement-by date as well. AED batteries may last several years, but their usable life depends on the model, self-test activity, storage conditions, and whether the unit has been used. A battery that is near its replacement date should be replaced proactively. Keep a properly matched spare battery only if the manufacturer recommends it and your organization can store it within the required conditions.
A complete response kit commonly includes scissors to cut clothing, disposable gloves, a CPR face shield or barrier, a razor for excessive chest hair, an absorbent towel, and a small cloth or wipe to dry the chest if needed. Not every kit is identical, but missing basic supplies can create avoidable delays. Replace any item that is used, contaminated, damaged, or expired.
Confirm the AED Can Be Reached Quickly
A fully supplied AED does little good if people cannot get to it. Stand where employees, visitors, students, or residents are most likely to be when an emergency occurs. Could a person identify the AED location quickly? Is signage visible from common areas? Is the cabinet accessible during all operating hours?
Check for furniture, boxes, locked doors, renovations, or equipment that block access. In a large building, consider whether the device can realistically be retrieved and brought to the victim without delay. Placement depends on the size and layout of the location, the population served, staffing levels, and local requirements. A single AED may be adequate in a small office, while a school campus, warehouse, fitness center, multifamily property, or large public venue may need additional coverage.
If the AED is in an alarmed cabinet, test the cabinet alarm according to facility policy and manufacturer instructions. The alarm should alert staff that the device has been removed, not prevent a bystander from getting it. Also confirm that any key, access code, or security procedure will not slow an emergency response.
Review the Dates and Documentation
A monthly inspection log creates accountability. It also makes it much easier to catch a pattern, such as repeated low-temperature warnings in an exterior cabinet or supplies that are regularly removed and not replaced. Some organizations choose weekly visual checks in busy public settings, while others use a monthly routine. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions, local regulations, insurance requirements, and your organization’s policies.
Your AED inspection record should identify the device location, make and model, serial number, date of inspection, name of the person who completed it, status indicator result, pad and battery expiration dates, kit contents, and any corrective action taken. Keep the record where the responsible staff member can access it easily.
Documenting a problem is not the same as resolving it. If pads are expired, order and install replacements. If a battery warning appears, replace the battery. If a cabinet is blocked, clear it immediately and address the process that allowed it to happen. When an AED is taken out of service, make that clear to staff and arrange a replacement device or temporary coverage if needed.
Make Sure People Know What to Do
AED readiness also depends on human readiness. The device is designed to provide voice prompts that can guide a rescuer, but a trained response is typically faster and more confident. Staff members should know where the AED is located, who calls 911, who begins CPR, who retrieves the device, and how to direct emergency responders to the scene.
For workplaces and schools, this plan should account for different shifts, visitor access, building entrances, and after-hours operations. Medical offices may need a more formal emergency response process based on their services and patient population. Community organizations should consider the volunteers or staff who are actually present during programs, not only those who attended training months ago.
CPR and AED training should be current and practical. Participants benefit from practicing the full sequence: recognize an unresponsive person, call 911, start high-quality CPR, send someone for the AED, apply pads correctly, and follow the prompts. Training also helps people understand that an AED analyzes the heart rhythm and will only advise a shock when appropriate.
Do Not Overlook Registration and Post-Use Steps
Many states, local jurisdictions, and facility policies have AED registration, notification, medical oversight, or reporting requirements. These details vary, so verify what applies to your location and type of organization. Keep the appropriate device information, maintenance records, and emergency contacts available to the person responsible for the program.
After an AED is used, it requires prompt follow-up. Replace the pads, inspect or replace the battery as directed, restock the response kit, download event data when required, clean the device according to manufacturer instructions, and document the incident. The device should not simply be placed back in the cabinet without being checked.
It is also wise to debrief the response. Identify what worked, whether the AED was easy to find, whether staff knew their roles, and whether emergency responders encountered any access barriers. A real event often reveals small improvements that routine inspections miss.
Build AED Checks Into a Reliable Safety Routine
Assign AED oversight to a specific person or role, with a backup in case that person is absent. The task should not depend on someone remembering it when the calendar gets busy. Add inspection dates to a recurring schedule, keep replacement supply information on file, and review the emergency plan whenever the building layout, staffing, or services change.
For organizations in Central New Jersey and beyond, East Coast Safety Consulting can help teams build confidence through practical CPR, First Aid, and AED training. The goal is not simply to have a device on the wall. It is to create a response system that is ready when a neighbor, coworker, student, customer, or loved one needs help.
A few minutes spent checking the AED each month can protect the value of every other emergency-preparedness decision your organization has made. Keep the device visible, supplied, documented, and supported by people who are prepared to act.
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