ZOLL AED Plus Battery Replacement Instructions

Should you acquire a ZOLL AED Plus device, you may be interested in the information regarding its battery. This article details everything that you may need to know concerning the replacement, as well as the maintenance of the battery involved. Being aware of this information means that you should never find yourself in a situation in which you have a device that is not able to assist in performing the resuscitation process of an individual in need. So, if you are the owner of a ZOLL AED Plus, or are interested in the acquisition of one, continue reading for all the information that you could want regarding the battery of the device in question.

How to Replace Batteries on ZOLL AED Plus?

Knowing how to replace the batteries in your ZOLL AED Plus means that you do not have to visit your doctor every time that you require a new set. The most common method of changing the batteries is exactly that. Many individuals choose to see their doctor when the AED provides them with the information that the batteries have less than three months left. By taking the device to your doctor, you can get the batteries changed in a way that you know you can trust. The entire process takes less than an hour to complete, thus making it a very convenient option.

However, should you be interested in replacing the batteries yourself, this is also a possibility. It is important to note that you need ZOLL type 123 Duracell lithium batteries in order to complete the process. 

In order to change the batteries, you are going to need a screwdriver. Once you have the necessary screwdriver, you can go ahead and remove the back cover. After completing this step, you have to remove all 10 of the batteries from the device and replace them with the replacement batteries that you have already purchased. Upon completion of this, you should put the cover back on and press the green button on the back of the unit. This restarts the timer that keeps track of how much power is left in the new set of batteries.

How to Install Batteries in ZOLL AED Plus?

Battery problems are one of the leading causes of AED failures in the United States. Researchers found that close to one in four failures of the ZOLL AED Plus devices was caused by issues relating to the batteries or power.

All batteries utilized by the ZOLL AED Plus regardless of their type or discharge over time need to be either replaced or recharged. The average lifespan of a battery that is installed into an AED has an average lifespan of between two and five years after it has been installed. The battery life depends on the battery type, the usage of the device, and the environmental factors at play. Use of the device for training, as well as self-checks, play a role in draining the power of the new batteries. This also changes based on how often the ZOLL AED Plus powers on and off. You should note that new batteries generally do not last for too long in extreme temperatures, and as a result, may need to be replaced more frequently.

ZOLL AED Plus: More About The Battery 

The majority of AED batteries have either an “install by” or “use by” date on them that you can use to help you better gauge when you need to purchase and install new ones. Some battery manufacturers go a little further and even print the manufacture date on the battery. The shelf life of batteries is generally between three and 5 years, depending on who the manufacturer of the battery is. Some AED models have the ability to store and display useful battery information such as the install and usage date. No matter the AED that you choose to use, they all alert you when your batteries have limited reserves, and this is usually when they have about three months of power left.

You can play a role in avoiding any battery-related failures by consistently viewing the status indicator, as well as checking the expiration dates of the batteries during the inspection process. You should follow the recommendations made in the operating guide that comes along with your ZOLL AED Plus for the best results. It is also important that you always follow the instructions provided by your AED manufacturer when it comes to the disposal and recycling of the old batteries in order to avoid any negative results. Some batteries do not have the ability to be recharged or recycled, whereas others need to be discharged before they can be disposed of, and it is important that you are aware of which procedure you are required to follow.

How Do I Test My ZOLL AED Plus Battery?

When it comes to testing the batteries in your ZOLL AED Plus, you should be happy to know that the process is not a strenuous one at all. When you replace the old lithium batteries in your device with new batteries, you should make sure to check the expiration date on them. It is recommended that you use Duracell lithium batteries rather than Panasonic or Rayovac batteries; however should you have no other options, these are still a good choice. 

Panasonic or Rayovac batteries are still good batteries; however, their year life is not as good as those of the Duracell lithium batteries. When looking for replacement batteries, you should always want to get the best available due to their lifespan which relates to the number of years that they can properly function for without needing to be replaced, even though the price may be slightly higher.

Typically, you do not need to do anything to test the batteries in your new ZOLL AED Plus due to the fact that the unit performs constant self-checks that monitor the battery power level of the device. When completing the purchase of a new device, you should make sure that you read the instruction manual in order to ensure that you are familiar with the way it works, as well as the way in which it signals that the batteries in the AED are low. Once new batteries have been installed, you should reset the device in order to make sure that you do not have any complications.

Should you still be confused after reading the manual, you can go online and watch a video on the subject matter. There are a number of great videos and resources online, all aimed at assisting you in knowing how to properly use the device, as well as how to react when customers or visitors to your organization experience a medical emergency. The lithium batteries in your ZOLL AED Plus should last for about 5 years if you operate in an area with a calm climate. These 5 years can decrease should you be situated in an area with extreme weather. However, it is safe for you to assume that you only need to replace the lithium batteries with new ones every 5 years.

Maintenance of the Electrode Pads

An AED’s electrode pads must make good contact with the skin in order to better assess the heart rhythm and shock. A conductive gel and pad adhesive are used to bind electrode pads to the skin. The gel and adhesive dry out over time, and the pad loses its grip, particularly during chest compressions. Sweat or hair can also obstruct good conduction and adhesion.

Electrode pads, like batteries, need to be tested and replaced. They come in a sealed box, but they need to be replaced on a regular basis. On the box of most pads, there is a “use by” date. They usually last two to three years; however, this is entirely dependent on the manufacturer of the pads. Some manufacturers produce pads that are of higher quality, and as a result, tend to last longer than the pads produced by other manufacturers.

Check the expiration date and that the package is sealed during the inspection to ensure that you have not received a pack that has been tampered with in any way. Discard any pads that have been opened or damaged to avoid the consequences of using a damaged piece of equipment. Make a note of the latest expiration or installation date in your AED records when removing pads. This allows you to be aware of just how much time you have before you need to replace the pads, as they do not automatically remind you in the same way that the batteries do. Electrode pads cannot be reused and should be disposed of as soon as they have used up their usefulness.

Additional Maintenance and Inspection Tips

The individual conducting the inspection must have a written or electronic inspection checklist. It is suggested that you should keep track of the date and time of the inspection, as well as the findings and any maintenance actions are taken. These maintenance actions include replacing the batteries and electrodes, as well as conducting any software updates to your ZOLL AED Plus. You can also double-check that supplies like gloves and safety masks are up to date and properly stored at that time in order to be prepared for an emergency medical situation.

Since AEDs are often put in public places, they are vulnerable to being disrupted or tampered with. During visual inspection, make sure the device is in good working order and that nothing is broken. You may find that sometimes, the device may have been messed around with, resulting in it becoming damaged. Should this be the case, it is important that you have your ZOLL AED Plus repaired as quickly as possible so as to avoid any liability as a result of you not having a functioning automated external defibrillator during a medical emergency.

Before using the device again after using it on a patient, you should replace both the battery and electrode pads. You should then delete event data from the AED according to the ZOLL AED Plus policy and the manufacturer’s instructions in order to ensure that this data does not hinder the treatment of a new patient. This data, which includes the victim’s heart rhythms and the periods when the shocks were administered, needs to be shared with the individual in charge of medical supervision. Bear in mind that medical knowledge about a victim must be kept private, and not disclosed to anyone other than them or their physician.

Along with the regular inspection and maintenance of your ZOLL AED Plus, the maintenance aspect requires that you are also aware of the recall and service bulletins that have been issued by the manufacturer. Many owners of AEDS are totally unaware of the fact that the device needs to be recalled, and this causes more problems that you would rather not deal with. The majority of recalls are for simple things such as a software update. No matter how small the problem, it is important that you always follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer of the AED you have purchased in order to avoid any problems in the future.

How do I Reset My ZOLL AED Plus?

After replacing the batteries in your ZOLL AED Plus, it is important that you reset the device. Doing so resets the timer related to the batteries, as well as ensures that there are no issues with the device. A failure to reset the device can bring about a host of problems that you would much rather avoid. Some of these problems include:

• The timer related to the batteries being inaccurate
• The device malfunctioning
• The device not performing proper self-checks

The reset button is located inside the battery compartment. It is important that you remember to press it after changing the batteries in order to avoid any of the negative consequences listed above. Due to the button being inside the battery compartment, it should be pretty difficult for you to forget to do so. However, should you know that you typically tend to forget to do such small things, you may be interested in including the instruction to press the button in the code that you follow when inspecting the device. Doing so can assist you in remembering that you need to perform the task.

How Often Should I Check My AED Battery?

In recent times, there have been a few cases of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) that have failed and in some cases have even been recalled by their manufacturers. Now, although this may scare you, there has been ample evidence to suggest that the majority of these AEDs were neither regularly inspected nor maintained. So, this brings about the question, how often should you check your device, and how exactly do you go about doing so? All these questions are answered below, so keep reading to find out more.

It is also important to note that if your AED is not regularly inspected or maintained and this happens to lead to a negative outcome for a sudden cardiac arrest victim, you or your organization can be sued. Should an AED not work when needed due to the fact that it has not been properly maintained, it makes it tremendously easier for an injured party to win a lawsuit. Maintenance issues are identifiable, and as a result, can be blamed for any delays or failures for defibrillation.

Luckily, automated external devices (AEDs) are really easy to both inspect and main. When checking the device, the most important tasks are that you check for a “Ready” or “OK” status, as well as that the electrode pads and batteries have not expired. This is a relatively quick process, and as a result, should not take you too much time, making it a no-brainer to just get it done.

Now, although it may not look like an extremely complicated device, the ZOLL AED Plus is a pretty sophisticated piece of equipment. Not only does the device interpret a multitude of different heart rhythms and deliver shocks, but the AED is also able to perform self-checks on its own internal circuitry in order to ensure that it is ready to be used in an emergency situation. AEDs perform these checks weekly, monthly, and sometimes even daily. For this reason, it is important that you conduct regular inspections of the ZOLL AED Plus.

The indicator of the ZOLL AED Plus is located on the front of the unit. When the device is in need of attention, this indicator issues a visible warning such as a red flashing light. Issues such as having a low battery or having the internal circuitry fail, require immediate attention and should be dealt with as soon as the problem is identified. Other issues that arise may require a further diagnosis, and in some cases a service.

All AEDs have an indicator that is designed to notify you that the device status is ready to use or not at a glance. This makes the inspection a really speedy process, and it is a good idea to make everyone who is in your organization familiar with the AED’s status indicator, as well as its other basic indications in order to avoid a situation in which someone is negligent.

Failure to do so can result in you running into some problems such as:

• Being sued
• Having someone have an unfavorable outcome
• Being in a situation where someone passes away

Choosing the Right AED for Your Organization

Even if your defibrillator has been collecting dust for a while, it must be able to assist you in resolving an emergency. It may be exposed to extremely challenging conditions depending on where it is put. If it’s in an environment such as on a ship or oil rig in the middle of the ocean, it should need to be able to withstand the harshest conditions.

Finding out which manufacturer makes the AED that best fits your or your organization’s needs is the most important step. You need to choose the right defibrillator to administer the shock if you want the rescue to go smoothly. If you realize you are going to be working in a noisy environment where you won’t be able to clearly hear audio prompts, an AED that offers visual prompts might be a safer choice to prevent any problems during the procedure. And in a similar fashion, should you work in an environment where audio prompts may be more beneficial, you may prefer to go down that route.

There are a number of great AEDs that you can choose from. Regardless of which device or unit you choose to purchase, whether it is the ZOLL AED Plus or another option, they all have their own advantages and disadvantages associated with them. Some of the best options for you to choose from are:

• HeartSine Samaritan 350P
• Philips HeartStart OnSite
• ZOLL AED Plus Fully Automatic
• Physio Control Lifepak CR2
• Cardiac Science G3 AED Fully Automatic

The Bottom Line

While your ZOLL AED Plus can sit idle for years without being used, it must always be ready to be used in a medical emergency. An AED, like any other piece of safety equipment like a fire extinguisher or a smoke detector, needs to be tested and maintained on a regular basis in order to avoid any unforeseen circumstances. You should check your AEDs on a regular basis, as suggested by the manufacturer, which is usually on a monthly basis.

The most important task of all is that you ensure that the status indicator shows that the AED is in working order. Failure to notice this can result in your device failing when you need it most.

Another critical activity is that you replace the batteries and electrode pads after the expiration or usage dates have passed in order to ensure that the device is always ready for service. Finally, you should make a record of the inspection date and time, as well as the inspection results and any maintenance actions taken. AEDUSA offers our free AEDMD management service to automate these readiness checks performed on your mobile device. Doing so makes sure that you have records of your diligence, and prevents you from attracting any negative liability in the light of an accident. Inspection, record keeping, and maintenance procedures should all be discussed in your organization’s AED policy, and you should make sure to follow them.