As part of our Public Access Defibrillator (PAD) program, Heart Niagara provides AED training, and more. Our goal is to make Niagara the region a safer place by equipping all public places with an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) device.
Whether you have an AED for your home, school, or business, it needs to be maintained. Here are the most important maintenance tips you need know to be able to properly manage your AED.
The Philips Heartstart FRx AED performs its own self-tests. Follow the steps below to ensure your unit is ready for use.
Philips FRx AEDs feature a Ready Light, typically located (as shown above) above or near the unit's power button.
A flashing green indicator means the unit is ready-for-use.
A solid green indicator means the unit is performing a self-test, or the unit is in use.
An unlit indicator, combined with audible chirps, means the unit is experiencing an error.
.jpg)
Philips FRx AEDs feature an information button (called an i-button), that provides information on AED errors and helps users determine if the unit is ready-for-use.
An unlit indicator, flashing blue i-button, and single chirps means the unit has experienced an error. Press the blue i-button for further information.
An unlit indicator, flashing or unlit i-button, and triple-chirps means the unit has experienced a serious malfunction and is not safe for use. Remove the unit from use, retrieve your owner's manual, and call Heart Niagara immediately.
.png)
In addition to ensuring your Philips FRx AED unit is functioning properly and is safe-for-use, it is important to check your AED pads.
The use-before date for in-use pads can be found on the cover of the pads' package.
The use-before date for spare pads can be found on the center-front of the package.
If either of these dates has expired, remove the pads from use.
.jpg)
Checking your Philips FRx AED unit's battery is important to ensure the device is ready-for-use in times of emergency.
The AED battery will feature a label with a UPC (barcode), model number, and an install-before date. Note that this is not an expiry date; batteries will work for four years following an install.
.jpg)
Your fast-response kit should always include:
- pocket masks
- scissors
- razor
- gloves
It is important the the fast-response kit be checked monthly.
The Zoll 3 AED performs an automatic self-test when a battery is installed and when the unit is turned on, and will perform an automatic self-test every seven (7) days when stored, but a self-test can be triggered manually. Follow the steps below to manually self-test your Zoll 3 AED.
Press and hold the On/Off button on your Zoll 3 AED for five (5) seconds to manually trigger the unit's self-test function. The Zoll 3 AED will then begin performing a self-test of the battery capacity, defibrillation pad connections, defibrillation pad/battery expiry, ECG circuitry, defibrillator charge and discharge circuitry, microprocessor software/hardware, CPR circuitry and sensor, and the audio circuitry.
.png)
A green checkmark in the Status Indicator means the unit has passed the self-test, and a blank Status Indicator means the unit has failed the self-test.
If your unit passed the self-test, it is safe and ready for use.
If your unit failed the self-test, proceed to Step 3.
.png)
If your unit has failed the self-test, it may be due to the defibrillation cable being improperly connected. Check to ensure the cable is not loose, or disconnected, and replace your defibrillation pads.
.png)
After checking the defibrillation cable connection and replacing the defibrillation pads, cycle the unit power by turning it off and on again. Your Zoll 3 AED will perform another automatic self-test when turned back on.
If this self-test fails, proceed to Step 5.
.png)
Remove the battery pack from the back of unit and replace it with a new, unused one.
Your Zoll 3 AED will perform an automatic self-test once the new battery pack is installed.
If this self-test fails, proceed to Step 6.
.png)
If the previous steps did not work, remove your Zoll 3 AED from service immediately and contact Heart Niagara or the Zoll Medical Techincal Service Dept.
The Zoll 3 AED performs an automatic self-test when a battery is installed and when the unit is turned on, and will perform an automatic self-test every seven (7) days when stored, but a self-test can be triggered manually. Follow the steps below to manually self-test your Zoll 3 AED.
.png)
Press and hold the On/Off button on your Zoll AED Plus for five (5) seconds to manually trigger the unit's self-test function. The Zoll 3 AED will then begin performing a self-test of the battery capacity, defibrillation electrodes connections, ECG circuitry, defibrillator charge and discharge circuitry, microprocessor software/hardware, CPR circuitry and sensor, and the audio circuitry.
.png)
A green checkmark in the Status Indicator means the unit has passed the self-test, and a red X in the Status Indicator means the unit has failed the self-test.
If your unit passed the self-test, it is safe and ready for use.
If your unit failed the self-test, proceed to Step 3.
.png)
Remove the pass cover from the front of your Zoll AED Plus by lifting the cover from the handle side of the unit.
.png)
After removing the pass cover, check to ensure the electrodes pads cable is properly connected (not loose, disconnected, or damaged) to the unit, and replace the electrodes.
.png)
After checking the cable connection and replacing the electrodes, cycle the power to your Zoll AED Plus by pressing the On/Off button twice.
Once turned back on, the Zoll AED Plus will automatically perform a self-test.
If this self-test fails, proceed to Step 6.
.png)
Remove the battery cover from the back of the unit by inserting a small tool (like a flathead screwdriver) into the two hinge slots on the bottom of the cover to depress the latches, then lift the cover.
.png)
Remove all batteries and replace with only Duracell or PowerOne 3V batteries.
After placing the first 5-9 batteries, the unit will give an audible "INSTALL BATTERIES" prompt. When all batteries are replaced, the unit will give an audible "PRESS BATTERY RESET BUTTON" prompt.
Once this button is pressed, the Zoll AED Plus will perform a self-test.
If this self-test fails, proceed to Step 8.
.png)
If the previous steps did not work, remove your Zoll AED Plus from service immediately and contact Heart Niagara or the Zoll Medical Technical Service Dept.
