Electrodes

When you are ready to buy new or replacement automatic external defibrillator (AED) electrode pads in Canada for your business or personal use - AED Advantage will be there to help. While the electrodes themselves may not seem like the focal point, they play an important role in an AEDs ability to perform effectively, in fact - your AED unit wouldn’t function without them. 

The electrode pads are designed to make the process of performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) easier and more efficient by checking the victim’s heart rhythm, and providing a shock if needed.

Your AED’s performance depends largely on the effectiveness of its electrodes. That’s why we recommend keeping a second pair available in case multiple emergencies occur. We also advise keeping your electrode pads up-to-date to ensure their effectiveness and minimize any downtime that could result in a loss of life.

Do AED Pads Expire?

How long do AED pads last? Most people assume that once they have in-home or community AED units and medical supply kits, they're ready for any emergency situation. However, the unfortunate reality is that the typical life expectancy of AED pads is between 18 and 30 months. Luckily, the easiest way to ensure that your pads are emergency ready is to simply check the expiration date printed on their packaging.

The length of time that an AED pad lasts depends on several factors including:

1. The model of AED used – different models have different shelf lives so check with your manufacturer for specific details on their products.
2. Storage conditions – if your medical supplies are stored in high temperatures or humidity levels this could shorten the life of your pads significantly, if they have not been kept in their original packaging, this will also affect their life span.
3. Environmental conditions – if there were no other factors affecting the shelf life of these items then keeping them in an environment with low humidity levels and cool temperatures will preserve them for longer periods of time.

Realistically, so long as your pads are stored in a dry environment, safely inside of their packaging you won’t have to worry about the above. If for any reason you cannot find the expiration date, rest assured that AED Advantage has kept all information for devices purchased from us on file and our customer service team can assist you.

When it comes to the safety of your customers, suppliers, employees, and medical teams, you can't risk it. You need to conduct routine maintenance and supply checks of all your AED units and supply kits to ensure that your AED program complies with manufacturer recommendations.

Can You Use Expired AED Pads?

AED pads have expiration dates printed on the packaging of each unit. They expire because the adhesive loses its stickiness over time and becomes less effective at holding it or other pads to the skin. Each AED pad model has different expiration dates and this is due to differences between brands of adhesive and/or differences in manufacturing processes.

Make sure you and your employees understand the importance of changing your AED pads on a regular basis and only use quality replacement pads designed specifically for your defibrillator model. AED Advantage offers maintenance programs to our clients and send reminders via monthly emails so you will never have to wonder when your accessories expire. 

Automatic External Defibrillator Replacement Pads

When it comes to replacing the AED pads on your defibrillator there are multiple brands, and multiple AED models to choose from. Once you have selected the appropriate pads for your AED unit, you will need to stock up on the two sizes available:

1. Adult defibrillation pads; and
2. Pediatric defibrillation pads.

Please note: pediatric pads are recommended for patients 8 years of age or younger, 55 lbs or less. Some devices have multifunctional pads that can be used on both adults or children, and have a “child shock button” on the device that will reduce the amount of energy delivered.

AED Advantage believes in supplying units with the best possible replacement pads. You can also count on them for the best possible customer service. If you want to buy electrode replacement pads but are unsure which ones you need, contact the team at AED Advantage. We are your one stop Canadian shop for all of your AED devices, replacement parts and maintenance needs.