AED Consumables Reference — All Brands

An AED is only ready to use if its battery and pads are still in date. Every manufacturer marks a date somewhere on the unit or the consumable itself — but the location, the format, and what the date actually means (manufacture date? "install before" date? expiry date?) all vary by brand. Reading it wrong is an easy, common mistake — and it's exactly what this reference is for.

HeartSine — one unit, one date

The battery and pads are a single combined PAD-PAK — there's no separate battery to track. The expiry date is on a blue sticker on the PAD-PAK module, and also shown next to the hourglass symbol on the rear of the device.

ZOLL AED Plus — all 10 batteries at once

The AED Plus uses 10 individual lithium cells, and all 10 must be replaced together as a set — never individually. Which operational life applies (3 or 5 years) depends on the device's software version, so it's worth knowing which version yours is running.

Defibtech Lifeline — the small battery that's easy to get wrong

Alongside the main battery, Lifeline units have a separate 9V battery that powers the Active Status Indicator. Hayes First Aid stocks and supplies the correct Ultra Life lithium 9V, which lasts roughly 2–2.5 years. A standard 9V alkaline will physically fit but is slightly smaller in diameter — it can sit loose and rattle — and lasts only 6–12 months. If you're replacing this battery yourself, use the correct Ultra Life lithium type.

Philips HeartStart — "Install Before" is not an expiry date

The date shown on a Philips M5070A battery is an "Install Before" date, not an expiry date — it's the shelf-life deadline for an uninstalled battery. The 4-year operational clock only starts once the battery is actually installed. It's a commonly confused point, so it's worth checking which date you're looking at.

Cardiac Science PowerHeart G5 — the beep is not a fault

The G5 beeps 30 days before its pads expire, when pads are connected to the device. If yours starts beeping, it's an expiry reminder, not a malfunction.

CU Medical iPAD SP1 — one pad set, adult and child

The SP1's SMART pads are dual-use — a single set covers both adult and child patients via a switch on the device, so no separate paediatric pad set is needed for this model. Its pads are not compatible with the older NF-1200 unit, so always confirm the model before ordering a replacement set.

Customers also receive expiry reminder emails at 90, 60 and 30 days before a battery or pad set is due to expire, so replacements can be ordered ahead of time rather than discovered during an emergency.

How do I know when my AED's battery or pads expire?

The expiry or manufacture date is printed on the battery and pad packaging — where and in what format varies by brand, which is why this guide is organised by manufacturer. If in doubt, check your model's own manual or contact us.

Does Hayes First Aid remind me before my AED consumables expire?

Yes — customers receive reminder emails at 90, 60 and 30 days before expiry.

Is my new AED ready to use straight away?

Yes. Every AED Hayes First Aid dispatches has the battery and pads installed and has had its self-test run and readiness indicator confirmed before it leaves the warehouse.

Can I use a standard 9V alkaline battery in my Defibtech AED's status indicator?

It isn't recommended. A standard alkaline 9V is slightly smaller than the correct Ultra Life lithium 9V, can sit loose and rattle, and lasts only 6–12 months versus roughly 2–2.5 years for the correct battery.