The Maintenance Mistakes Owners Often Overlook
You remember buying your AED.
You probably remember where it was installed.
But do you know when its pads expire?
When was the AED last physically inspected?
Does the battery need attention?
Has anyone checked its status indicator recently?
If you had to use the AED right now, would you be confident that it is rescue-ready?
AED maintenance is an ongoing responsibility. Pads can expire, batteries require monitoring, devices need regular checks and contact information can become outdated. TrackMyAED helps owners stay ahead of these issues. More than 70,000 AEDs are managed annually through the program, and 97.9% are currently rescue-ready.
The goal isn't to give you one more thing to worry about.
It's to make AED ownership easier.
Why Do People Forget About AED Maintenance?
Because the best outcome for an AED is that you never need to use it.
An AED could hang on a wall for years without being opened during an emergency.
That creates an unusual challenge.
Most things that require maintenance remind you through daily use.
A car reminds you because you drive it.
A phone reminds you because the battery runs down.
Office equipment reminds you when something stops working.
An AED may sit quietly in a cabinet.
That is why AED maintenance has to be intentional.
You should not need a cardiac arrest to discover that something required attention.
What Should I Check on My AED?
Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for your specific AED.
Health Canada recommends regular checks and following the maintenance schedule in the AED manual.
Depending on the model, routine attention may include:
- Checking the AED's status indicator
- Looking for visual or audible service warnings
- Checking electrode pad expiry dates
- Checking the battery
- Confirming accessories are present
- Looking for physical damage
- Confirming the AED remains in its intended location
- Keeping the AED and storage area clean
- Replacing items used during a rescue
Modern AEDs often perform internal self-tests, but those self-tests don't eliminate the owner's responsibility to inspect and maintain the device.
Mistake #1: Assuming the AED Will Tell You Everything
Many modern AEDs are highly sophisticated.
They may perform daily, weekly or monthly self-tests, depending on the manufacturer and model.
That's excellent technology.
But it isn't a substitute for a complete management program.
An AED cannot necessarily know that someone removed an accessory from the cabinet.
It may not know that its location information is incorrect.
It won't update your organization's contact person when an employee leaves.
And an automated self-test does not mean you should ignore manufacturer-recommended physical checks.
The AED can monitor itself. Someone still needs to manage the AED.
Mistake #2: Forgetting About the Electrode Pads
This may be one of the easiest AED responsibilities to overlook.
Electrode pads are usually sealed inside packaging, often connected to or stored with the AED.
Because you may never open them, they can be easy to forget.
But AED pads have manufacturer-assigned expiry dates.
Why?
The pads contain materials designed to adhere properly to the patient's skin and conduct the therapy delivered by the AED. Manufacturers establish a shelf life for those components.
That means an AED owner should know:
- Which pads fit the AED
- Where the pads are located
- Their expiry date
- Whether pediatric capability is required
- How replacement pads will be obtained
- Whether the pads have been opened or used
TrackMyAED can monitor pad expiry information and provide notifications to help owners stay ahead of replacement dates.
And when replacement time comes, AEDShop supplies compatible replacement pads for major AED brands.
Mistake #3: Treating Every AED Battery the Same
There isn't one universal AED battery.
Different brands and models use different power systems.
Expected battery life and replacement instructions can vary based on:
- AED manufacturer
- Model
- Battery chemistry
- Standby conditions
- Environmental conditions
- Usage
- Self-testing
- Manufacturer specifications
This is another reason buying an AED from a specialist matters.
When you need a replacement battery years after the original purchase, you want confidence that you're ordering the correct product for your AED.
TrackMyAED helps maintain important device information so managing future replacement requirements is easier.
Mistake #4: Putting a Reminder in One Person's Calendar
Imagine this common scenario.
A business buys an AED.
The office manager adds the pad expiry date to a calendar.
Everything looks good.
Two years later, that employee moves to another company.
Three years later, the reminder goes to an inactive email account.
Nobody realizes it.
This isn't negligence.
It's what happens in real organizations.
People retire.
Employees change roles.
Businesses move.
Facilities change.
Email addresses change.
That is why an AED management program should be attached to the AED program, not dependent entirely on one person's memory.
TrackMyAED provides a more structured way to maintain AED information over time.
Mistake #5: Assuming an Unused AED Requires No Attention
An AED does not need to be used before it requires maintenance.
This is one of the most important points for any AED owner to understand.
A device may sit unused while:
- Pads move toward expiry
- Battery service life progresses
- Manufacturer recommendations change
- Staff contacts change
- The AED is relocated
- Accessories disappear
- Inspection records become outdated
Health Canada recommends that owners check AEDs regularly precisely because readiness must be maintained between emergencies.
No rescues does not mean no maintenance.
Mistake #6: Not Checking the AED After a Rescue
If your AED is used during a suspected cardiac arrest, the program requires attention before the device returns to service.
Depending on the circumstances and AED model, that may include:
- Replacing used electrode pads
- Checking or replacing other consumables
- Reviewing battery status
- Cleaning the AED according to manufacturer instructions
- Confirming the AED passes its readiness checks
- Reviewing event data where applicable
- Restocking rescue accessories
- Documenting the event
- Returning the AED to its proper location
Some TrackMyAED service options provide additional post-event support, giving owners help at one of the most important moments in the AED lifecycle.
How Does TrackMyAED Help?
TrackMyAED was designed around a simple problem:
People buy AEDs because they want to be prepared, but maintaining all of the dates, records and responsibilities can become difficult over time.
The program centralizes important information and, depending on service level, can provide features such as:
- Automatic expiry notifications
- Monthly inspection reminders
- AED information and serial numbers
- Digital inspection reports
- AED location management
- Centralized dashboards
- Mapping
- Training information
- Bilingual English/French support
- AED resource materials
- Expert support
- Post-event services with eligible programs
AEDShop currently offers TrackMyAED options for customers who want ongoing management after purchasing their AED.
Why Does the Number of AEDs Managed Matter?
Because experience matters.
A software company can build reminders.
An AED specialist understands why the reminders matter.
TrackMyAED manages more than 70,000 AEDs annually.
That gives the team behind the program broad exposure to the practical realities of AED ownership.
Different AED brands.
Different pads.
Different batteries.
Different businesses.
Different environments.
Different challenges.
For an individual AED owner, this means you don't have to become an AED expert yourself.
You can rely on people who work with this equipment every day.
What Does a 97.9% Rescue-Ready Rate Mean?
At present, 97.9% of the AEDs managed through TrackMyAED are rescue-ready.
That is important because rescue readiness is the outcome an AED management program should be working toward.
But we believe the remaining 2.1% matters just as much.
If an AED has an outstanding issue, knowing about it is essential.
The next step is action.
Our team actively works with customers responsible for those AEDs to help address the outstanding issue and move the device back toward rescue-ready status.
That's what we mean when we talk about AED management rather than simple AED tracking.
Tracking tells you a problem exists.
Management helps you do something about it.
Why Not Just Use a Spreadsheet?
For some people, a spreadsheet may seem sufficient.
You can record:
| Information | Spreadsheet | TrackMyAED |
|---|---|---|
| AED model | Yes | Yes |
| Serial number | Yes | Yes |
| Pad expiry | Manual | Managed |
| Battery information | Manual | Managed |
| Inspection reminders | Separate process | Available |
| Inspection reporting | Manual | Centralized |
| AED-specific support | No | Yes |
| Multiple locations | Possible | Designed for it |
| Expert AED assistance | No | Available |
The biggest difference isn't that a spreadsheet cannot store information.
It can.
The difference is what happens next.
Someone has to remember to open it.
Someone has to maintain it.
Someone has to recognize which AED requires attention.
Someone has to know which replacement product to purchase.
Someone has to follow up.
TrackMyAED is purpose-built for that process.
Can I Use TrackMyAED for an AED at Home or the Cottage?
Yes.
AED management isn't only for corporations.
Someone buying an AED for a parent, family cottage, private property or home can benefit from reminders just as much as a workplace.
In fact, years may pass between the day you buy the AED and the day a pad or battery requires replacement.
TrackMyAED helps keep those requirements visible.
The number of AEDs does not determine their importance.
If you own one AED, that one AED is your entire AED program.
What About Small Businesses?
TrackMyAED can be especially useful for businesses that don't have a dedicated health and safety department.
Consider a:
- Dental office
- Restaurant
- Retail store
- Gym
- Physiotherapy clinic
- Accounting firm
- Golf course
- Daycare
- Church
- Community centre
- Small manufacturing business
The owner or manager already has dozens of responsibilities.
Remembering an AED pad expiry date three years from now shouldn't depend entirely on memory.
That's where automated management provides practical value.
How Can I Tell Whether My AED Is Rescue-Ready Today?
Start with the device manufacturer's instructions.
A basic review may include confirming:
- The AED is where it is supposed to be.
- The AED's status indicator shows the appropriate ready condition for that model.
- There are no service warnings.
- The electrode pads are present and within the manufacturer's expiry date.
- The battery is installed and within applicable manufacturer requirements.
- Required accessories are available.
- The AED and cabinet appear free of visible damage.
- The latest inspection has been documented.
If anything seems incorrect, consult the AED manual or contact an AED specialist.
Never guess when dealing with lifesaving equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions About AED Maintenance
Do AED pads expire if they have never been opened?
Yes. AED electrode pads have manufacturer-defined expiry dates even when their package remains sealed.
Do AED batteries need to be replaced?
Yes. AED batteries have manufacturer-specific maintenance and replacement requirements. Follow the instructions for your particular AED.
How often should I inspect my AED?
Follow the manufacturer's manual for the device. Health Canada recommends regular checks and adherence to the manufacturer's maintenance and testing schedule.
What does rescue-ready mean?
Generally, rescue-ready refers to an AED being appropriately maintained and prepared for emergency use according to the manufacturer's requirements, including having the necessary pads, battery and appropriate device status.
How many AEDs does TrackMyAED manage?
TrackMyAED manages more than 70,000 AEDs annually.
What is TrackMyAED's current rescue-ready rate?
As of August 22, 2026, 97.9% of AEDs managed through TrackMyAED are currently rescue-ready, with active work underway to help customers resolve issues affecting the remaining 2.1%.
The Best AED Is the One That's Ready
Choosing the right AED matters.
Buying it from the right supplier matters.
Installing it where people can find it matters.
But years after that original purchase, one thing matters most:
Is it ready?
AEDShop believes AED ownership should be simple enough that customers can confidently maintain their lifesaving equipment without having to become AED experts.
That's why we combine access to Health Canada-approved AEDs, replacement supplies and knowledgeable Canadian support with TrackMyAED.
More than 70,000 AEDs managed annually.
97.9% currently rescue-ready.
A team actively working with customers to address the remaining 2.1%.
Don't put an AED on the wall and forget about it.
Know it. Track it. Maintain it. Keep it rescue-ready.
Keep Your AED Ready
Learn About TrackMyAED: Explore the management options available through AEDShop.
Need AED Pads? Find replacement electrode pads for leading AED manufacturers.
Need an AED Battery? Shop compatible replacement batteries by AED brand and model.
Need a New AED? Compare Health Canada-approved AEDs available from AEDShop.
Already Own an AED? Contact AEDShop about adding your existing AED to TrackMyAED.