Having a lifesaving device like a cardiac science AED is a significant step in making your work environment or neighbourhood safer. Anyway, if you have the Powerheart G3 or the upgraded G5, these units are basically dependable and come with “Rescue Ready” technology that is a great help. However, the most complicated unit also requires maintenance to operate smoothly in an emergency.
Nearly half of AED failures in situations as recorded by studies can be traced to issues with pads or batteries that could have been easily avoided. To help in avoiding such situations, we have put together a maintenance manual for your Cardiac Science AED device.
1. Understand the “Rescue Ready” Indicator
The feature that most obviously sets apart a cardiac science aid from the rest is undoubtedly the status indication window located next to the handle. This tiny window is your maintenance major intervention.
- Green Ball: This means that the unit has done well in its recent tests and can be safely used.
- Red “X”: This means that the AED has found a problem. In case of red indication, apart from the visual signal, an audible “chirp” is also likely to be emitted every 30 seconds, alerting the user.
Pro Tip: In case of a red “X” indication, opening the cover is advisable. The inside display or voice prompts normally provide detailed information regarding the malfunction – whether it be “Battery Low” or “Check Pads”, etc.
2. Managing the Intellisense™ Battery
Cardiac Science implements the patented Intellisense technology, which inherently supports the device, to keep track of its own energy.
- Check the Date: Most of the Cardiac Science batteries mention either a “manufactured” or “use by” date. Nevertheless, the actual life of the battery is more often than not 4 years from the time it is installed in the device.
Don’t rely solely on the date, as most imports could have been stored for several months before being sent to you, hence the date on the package may be off by quite a lot. To ensure the longevity of your battery, open the device regularly to look at the gauge and replace batteries that display a red bar or indicator. When you open a G3 or G5 lid, a battery fuel gauge will also be visible. If the last LED bar is red, the battery is close to its end and needs to be replaced immediately.
3. Keep an Eye on Electrode Pad Expiration
First of all, let’s clarify that pads aren’t just stickers; they have a gel inside that makes it possible for the AED to “understand” the heart rhythm and deliver an appropriate shock. As time goes by, this gel gets completely dry, and not even the best cardiac science AED can do much with those pads.
Terms of storage: The typical lifespan duration of a pair of standard Cardiac Science electrode pads is approximately two years.
Moreover, you do not have to open the package to check the expiration date, as it is visible from the outside of the package. There is a transparent window on the lid of your G5 or G3 through which you can see the date printed on the foil pouch.
“Pads” Indicator: If the pads are expired or disconnected, the internal “Pads” LED will be turned on in red colour when the lid is opened.
4. Perform Monthly Visual Inspections
The device is extremely self-reliant, as it undertakes daily, weekly, and monthly internal self-tests (in fact, every month, it also performs a full-energy simulated rescue), but it still has its limits – it cannot determine if it has been damaged externally. Therefore, you should:
- Confirm the green colour of the status indicator.
- Look for cracks, dirt, or moisture on the outside of the device.
- Make sure that the pad connector is securely connected.
Check that your “Responder Kit” (filled with scissors, a razor, gloves, and a mask) is still there and complete.
Why Professional Management Matters
Organizations that have to look after multiple units scattered across different floors or locations can be at risk of making mistakes while conducting manual checks. This is the point where the cooperation with a safety provider dedicated to your cause becomes priceless.
It takes more than a quick look to ensure that your devices are rescue-ready. If you want to replenish your stocks or if you need the opinion of an expert to help you decide which unit suits your environmental needs the best, Shock Shop is the place where you can find the qualified personnel and the genuine Cardiac Science parts necessary to keep your safety program in line with the requirements and dependable.
Conclusion
To sum up, having a cardiac science aid is basically a pledge to the safety of the people that come to your place, be it friends, family, or strangers. Although these units are built to be highly autonomous and user-friendly, the extent to which they can save lives depends on the maintenance routine they receive from behind.
If you keep up with your monthly visual inspections without skipping any, monitor the expiry dates of your Intellisense™ batteries and electrode pads and make sure they are new, then you have removed the possibility of the apparatus being non-functional when the need arises.