Q. What happens if I use defibrillator pads or batteries past their expiry date?

When the electrodes (pads) and batteries of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) expire, it can seriously impact the device’s effectiveness and reliability in an emergency situation.


 

Here’s what happens if these components are past their expiration date:

 

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Electrodes (Pads)

Decreased Adhesiveness:

Over time, the adhesive gel on the AED pads can dry out or degrade, meaning they may not stick properly to the victim’s skin. This could prevent the AED from detecting the heart rhythm accurately or delivering an effective shock.




Reduced Conductivity:

The pad's conductive gel also degrades, which can interfere with the electrical current that needs to pass through the chest to the heart. This could result in an incomplete or ineffective shock.





Risk of Skin Burns:

Degraded electrodes might increase the resistance of electricity passing through the skin, which could cause skin burns instead of delivering the necessary defibrillation to the heart.






Inaccurate Analysis:

The AED uses the electrodes to monitor the heart rhythm. Expired pads may fail to transmit the correct data to the AED, leading to incorrect heart rhythm analysis and possibly preventing the AED from delivering a shock when needed.



 

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Batteries

Insufficient Power for Shocks:

AED batteries provide the energy for delivering the life-saving shock. If the battery is expired or has lost charge, the AED might not have enough power to deliver a shock, or it could deliver a weaker shock than needed.





Failure to Power On:

In some cases, an AED with a dead or expired battery may fail to power on entirely, rendering the device unusable in an emergency.






Inability to Perform Self-Tests:

Many AEDs conduct regular self-tests to ensure that they are functioning properly. If the battery is expired or too low, the AED may not be able to run these checks, and you may not be aware that the device is malfunctioning until it’s too late.


 

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The potential consequences of failing to replace expired AED pads and batteries

Increased Risk of Fatality:

If an AED has expired electrodes or batteries, it may not be able to perform life-saving defibrillation. This can dramatically reduce the victim’s chances of survival in the event of cardiac arrest, where every minute counts.





Legal and Liability Issues:

In some settings, particularly workplaces or public spaces, not maintaining AEDs properly can lead to legal or liability issues. An expired or non-functional AED might be considered negligence if someone needs it and it doesn’t work.



 

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Recommendations 

Regular Inspections:

AEDs should be inspected regularly to ensure that both the electrodes and batteries are within their expiration dates and functioning properly.


Replacing Before Expiration:

AED manufacturers typically recommend replacing batteries and pads well before their expiration dates, especially in high-risk environments, to ensure the device is always ready for use.


Follow the Manufacturer’s Guidelines:

Every AED model has specific maintenance guidelines. Following them ensures that the device will work properly when it’s needed.


Consider Keeping Spares:

Keeping spare sets of AED pads and batteries is a smart and practical strategy to ensure the AED is always ready for use in emergencies.
 

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To summarise, using expired AED electrodes or batteries can result in device failure, reduced shock effectiveness, or even harm to the patient. It’s essential to replace these components on schedule to ensure the AED is always ready for an emergency.