Owning a Philips Heartstart AED defibrillator, either the Philips onsite or home AED is one of the best investments that you can make for your family, business, or organization. However, what many people don’t know is that there are also some ongoing maintenance items that come with owning this device. One of these important accessories is the Philips HS1 Adult Smart Pad Cartridge. This blog post will outline why it’s so important to manage and replace the adult smart pads prior to the expiration of these electrode pads with any AED machine and just prior to the 24-month expiration date for the Philips HeartStart Onsite AED pads.

Proven Success

The Philips HeartStart Onsite AED is one of the most sold AED’s in the United States. Countless lives have been saved from Sudden Cardiac Death with this amazing quick access medical device.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest

Sudden cardiac arrest is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Every year, 350,000 people experience sudden cardiac arrest outside of a hospital and only one-half survive with good neurological function. This is because there are typically no warning signs or symptoms associated with Sudden Cardiac Arrest beforehand. The American Heart Association refers to the chain of survival to illustrate the necessary elements that are needed for a person who is experiencing cardiac arrest.

Chain of Survival

The Chain of Survival is an action plan that provides rescue teams or bystanders with the steps necessary to help a person survive in the event of cardiac arrest. A clear understanding of the five key links in a chain of survival can reduce mortality.

1. Recognition of Cardiac Arrest and Activation of the Emergency Response System
2. Immediate Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) 
3. Rapid Defibrillation with AED
4. Basic and Advanced Emergency Medical Services 
5. Advanced Life Support and Post-Cardiac Arrest Care

Safety first companies and organizations make educating their employees about the Chain of Survival a priority. Training is the key to develop muscle and brain memory so a first responder knows what to do and how to do it even during a very high-stress situation.

More AED Accessibility Saves Lives

A big part of the equation with increasing the number of AED saves is making this emergency life-saving equipment more accessible to the public. The Philips HS1 with the Philips Heartstart AED pads has been the most widely sold AED in the US and has truly been instrumental in saving cardiac arrest victims.

Best Features with Philips Smart Pads

The Philips Heartstart smart pads are unique in that they are made of a patented material that absorbs shocks and helps to keep them from transferring to the patient. This is especially important for Philips Heartstart AED defibrillator devices, which have been shown in clinical studies to reduce noise during ICD shock delivery by as much as 60%. The SMART feature means that the pads will be able to detect when they’re not being used and then automatically switch off.

The pad adhesives used with the Smart Pads are one of the most important features. When placed over sensitive areas, these adhesives have been shown to reduce skin reactions at least twofold.

Smart Pads Cartridge Size

The Heartstart Adult Smart Pads are small and lightweight, so storage and transportation are easy. They are also self-contained in plastic housing which makes them water and dust-resistant. The Philips Heartstart HS1 AED has an IP rating of 68, which means it can be used in a wide range of environments.

AED Pads

AED’s all have this lifesaving accessory in common and is the connection between the AED and the SCA victim. The technology used for the gel that makes the modern electrode pad stick to the skin of the victim has advanced and improved over the last 5 years.

Adult SMART Pads cartridge

M5071A defibrillation pads for patients over 8 years of age or 25 kg (55 lbs.) and over. These new replacement pads by Philips will keep your AED ready for service.

Infant/Child SMART Pads cartridge

Children and youth also are susceptible to SCA and the M5072A Pediatric Defibrillation Pads for patients 0-8 years of age and under 25 kg (55 lbs) might be the lifesaver for a smaller individual or child. These pediatric pads should be used for cardiac arrest victims weighing 55 pounds or less.

When should SMART Pads be replaced?

Consider replacement of your HeartStart OnSite SMART Pads after every rescue attempt, or once every two years to ensure a two-year lifespan. The SMART Pads have at least a two-year expiration date. The reason electrode pads must be replaced is because the gel used to attach the pads to the victim’s body is made of very sophisticated material. Once the pad has been used for an extended period, it will lose its stickiness and maintain electrical conductivity.

Heartstart Onsite AED Battery

HeartStart OnSite and FRx AEDs use a long-life M5070A Lithium Manganese Dioxide battery, with a five-year shelf life plus a 4 year installed life of four years. This long-life battery still has a few items you must be aware of

Why does the Philips Onsite Battery not clearly display an expiration date? Many ask this question because it is counterintuitive that Philips sells the SMART Pads with a clear expiration date on each set of electrode pads. The Philips Heartstart Onsite HS1 AED shares the same battery as the Philips FRx AED. This makes managing the batteries for organizations with both models of AED’s in the field. Philips made a decision to not include an expiration date, we suspect this was done to extend the Shelf Life of these batteries. A battery that is not installed in the AED has a longer time period it can sit on the shelf and be ready to use. Once inserted in either the FRx or the HS1, the battery then starts a 4 year expiration time period. This is the same time period that Philips installs in all of their FRx and HS-series defibrillators. If an expiration date is printed on the accessory during manufacturing it gives a hard and fast date and the clock is ticking immediately. Managing manufacturing and inventory for Philips is therefore greatly improved due to not having a set time frame on each battery before it expires.

People Also Ask the Following Questions:

How long do Philips HeartStart pads last?

Philips SMART Pads have at least 24 months before they expire.

How do you check AED pads?

The HeartStart pads have a clearly marked expiration date printed on the label.

How many times can you use AED pads?

The SMART Pads can be used to shock the victim over and over as deemed needed by the Philips HeartStart AED. Note you must purchase new pads to replace electrode pads after used on any victim.

When should a defibrillator battery be replaced?

The typical battery lifespan for most modern AED’s is 2 to 5 years, but this depends on the type of defibrillator. Please consult the user manual, the product detail page, or follow the expiry date markings on your device. Pad and battery expiry dates are typically displayed next to an hourglass or egg timer symbol.

Where is the AED battery located?

The battery pack is usually located on the back of an AED and can be removed by pressing a button or removing a clip. Replace the battery with a new one, and return the old battery for recycling or disposal.

Will an AED work with expired pads?

To help AED pads adhere to the skin, a gel is applied to them when they are manufactured. It is important to use AED pads within the expiration date. If not, they will not work as well when needed.