AED Monthly Inspection Log & Checklist

An AED is standby life-saving equipment — it needs to work the moment it's needed, with no warning beforehand. A short, regular self-check between professional service visits catches the everyday things that can put a unit out of action: an expired pad, a flat battery, a blocked cabinet, or signage that's gone missing.

• Is the status indicator showing its normal "ready" state? (This differs by brand — for example, some units show a green light or an "O" symbol, others flash red or show an "X" when there's a problem. Check your model's manual for what "ready" looks like on your unit.)
• Are the pads sealed in their package and connected to the AED?
• Are the pads in date?
• Is the battery in date? (Some manufacturers print a manufacture date, others an expiry date — check your model's manual to know which applies.)
• Is the AED in good condition and undamaged?

• If your AED is expected to treat children, confirm paediatric pads or a paediatric key/attenuator are present and in date.
• If paediatric treatment isn't part of your AED's intended use, mark this item N/A rather than leaving it blank.

This is a good-practice addition alongside the manufacturer checklist items above — not every AED or setting needs paediatric provision, so check what applies to your unit and location.

• If your cabinet has an anti-theft alarm, is it working?
• If the cabinet is locked, is the unlock code available to those who need it, or is the AED registered with the National Ambulance Service (NAS)?
• Is the emergency contact number visible on or near the cabinet?
• Is CPR guidance provided nearby?
• Is the AED user manual accessible?
• Is the cabinet or wall bracket accessible and in good condition?

• Is the AED signage clear and noticeable?
• Is the AED's location known to everyone who might need to find it in an emergency?

• Is the BLS/prep kit fully stocked and in date? (Typically: disposable gloves, razor, face shield, tuff-cut scissors, towel and wipes — check your kit's own contents list, as this varies by supplier.)

Record the date and your initials each time you complete the checklist above. Keeping a written log makes it easy to show when your AED was last checked, and to spot a pattern if something needs replacing more often than expected.

Does this checklist replace professional AED servicing?

No. This is a self-check tool for use between service visits. It is not an accreditation or approval by any authority, and it does not replace a professional inspection such as an AED Guardian visit.

How often should I check my AED?

This log gives you 12 monthly entries. Your AED's manufacturer manual is the source for its recommended self-check interval — check it for your exact model.

What do I do if a check fails?

Consult your AED's operating manual immediately for troubleshooting. If in doubt, contact us or your manufacturer's distributor before the unit is relied upon in an emergency.

Is paediatric provision part of every AED?

Not always — it depends on the unit and pads fitted. Check it if your AED is expected to treat children, and mark it N/A if it doesn't apply to your unit.