How long does a defibrillator last?

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

How long does a defibrillator last? Our recommendation is 10 years.

The actual lifespan of a defibrillator depends on many factors, including:

• The brand and type of defibrillator.
• 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 defibrillators 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 defibrillator has never been used. Should it still be replaced?

“If my defibrillator 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 a defibrillator

The defibrillator 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 a defibrillator 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).

A defibrillator 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 defibrillator over its lifetime

Some online sources claim that a defibrillator’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 defibrillators.

However, the risk of malfunction generally increases toward the end of an AED’s technical lifespan. Regularly check the status of your defibrillator to address potential issues in time.

What about a defibrillator that has been used?

A defibrillator 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 defibrillator 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 a defibrillator?

The manufacturer's warranty for defibrillators 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 defibrillators*!

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