An automated external defibrillator only helps if it works, can be found and can be reached quickly. We inspect your AEDs, their pads, batteries and cabinets, check their placement and records, and give you a simple routine for keeping them ready between inspections.
AEDs are designed to be used by bystanders with little or no training, and most run regular self-tests. That makes them easy to forget. Pads and batteries expire, units get moved into locked offices, cabinets lose their signage, and self-test warnings go unnoticed. During a cardiac arrest, any of those problems costs time that the person does not have.
What we look at
- Status indicator and self-test results, and any service alerts from the unit.
- Electrode pads: expiry dates, packaging, and whether adult and child pads or a pediatric setting are available where children may be present.
- Batteries: expiry or installation date and remaining life indicators.
- Accessories: rescue kit contents such as gloves, razor, scissors and a breathing barrier.
- Cabinets and mounting: condition, alarms, signage, height and whether the AED is visible and unlocked during occupied hours.
- Placement: how long it would take to get the AED to likely locations of a collapse, and whether more units are needed.
- Records and recalls: inspection logs, manufacturer notices, and whether the unit is registered with any local AED registry your province or community uses.
Rules vary by province. Requirements for AEDs differ across Canada. Some provinces require AEDs in certain public places, some have registries, and workplace first aid rules may set expectations too. Check your province's requirements. We focus on making sure the units you have work and can be reached.
How it works
- We start with why. A new AED program, a recall notice, an audit finding or simply not knowing when the units were last checked each lead to a different scope.
- Inventory. We list every AED with its model, serial number, location and pad and battery dates.
- Inspection. We check each unit and cabinet following the manufacturer's instructions.
- Placement review. We walk the building to check access and response times to the areas people use most.
- Report and routine. We give you a report, a replacement schedule and a short checklist for regular checks by your staff.
What you get
A written report listing each AED, its condition and any items that need replacing, with dates for upcoming pad and battery expiries. It includes placement recommendations, signage suggestions and a simple monthly check your staff can do in a few minutes. If you want, we can coordinate replacement parts and review the program with your first aid and safety teams.
When an AED has been used, it needs pads and possibly a battery replaced, and the unit's data may need to be downloaded for the responding medical service. The report sets out what to do after a use so the unit goes back into service quickly.
Who it's for
- Facility, property and safety managers with AEDs in their buildings.
- Schools, recreation centres, offices, retail and industrial sites.
- Organizations setting up an AED program for the first time.
- Employers reviewing first aid arrangements as part of a safety program.
Read an AED maintenance checklist and where to place an AED for background. For broader emergency planning, see emergency response plans.
Common questions
The AED tests itself. Why inspect it?
Self-tests check the electronics and battery, but they cannot tell you whether pads are expired, the cabinet is locked, the signage is missing or the unit has been moved out of reach. Regular visual checks catch those problems.
How often should AEDs be checked?
Follow the manufacturer's instructions. Many organizations do a quick visual check monthly and a fuller inspection at least once a year, with pads and batteries replaced by their expiry dates.
Do staff need training to use an AED?
AEDs are designed so untrained bystanders can use them by following the voice prompts. Training in CPR and AED use still improves confidence and response, and is often part of workplace first aid requirements.