Defibrillator Maintenance Contract

Question

The Parish Council I am Clerk and RFO for has recently agreed to look into the purchase of a defibrillator for the Village (in Gloucestershire). I have been advised to look in maintenance contracts for our device - are there any companies that you recommend?

Answer 1

I've never heard of a defib maintenance contract. A quick monthly visual inspection is all that is required. When the defib tells you it needs new pads or battery, replace them. If it's used, the ambulance service notify you and you replace the pads and equipment pouch. Register it on The Circuit website and you'll receive email reminders when actions are required. I look after seven of them across three parishes.

One thing I would suggest is that you talk to your ambulance service about make and model. There are some very cheap defibs on the market, but you get what you pay for. Our ambulance service has a commercial arm that supplies the defibs, cabinets and training packages.

Answer 2

I can't say I've ever needed a maintenance contract for a defib and have, over the years, looked after several.  Someone needs to keep an eye on the equipment to make sure it's operating properly (in all of ours there's a simple green light, easily visible) and periodically (over several years) make sure the pads and battery are up to date.   Pads last at least a couple of years and I've only had to replace a battery one and it was a very simple procedure to order a new one and fit it.  If you register the equipment with The Circuit, they'll remind you when things might need replacing.  Otherwise, no maintenance required.

Answer 3

I'm not saying the two contributors are wrong but you need advice from a) the manufacturers (who will tell you what maintenance if any is required of their equipment), and b) your ambulance service who will probably have a dedicated officer who advise what to do.  The ambulance might be the first place to contact because they are likely to be able to tell who they recommend to supply the units.

Answer 4

from the info that i have seen the main issue is the cabinets for out side storage  which need to be heated  it seesm most of the defibs are not on a service contract but weekly checks are made to ensure batteries are fully charged and all equipment is in good order
a simple check list and a photo date stamped  may be helpful

Answer 5

We carry out the checks as described by others. However we have a contract with, I believe, Community Heartbeat, under which we pay an annual sum and if batteries, pads etc need replacing we can order them from Community Heartbeat at no cost. Could this be what you have been asked to investigate? The advantage of this is that the cost to us is known and fixed, regardless of how often the defibrillator is used.