Maintaining AEDs in Schools

The 100,000th public use AED has been installed in the UK.

The milestone marks an incredible achievement in the nationwide rollout, which has been gaining momentum for almost twenty years. It’s now common to see a classic red phone box given new life as a defibrillator cabinet, and an AED on a wall as you shop on the high street. 

Now, the UK’s 100,000th public use defibrillator has been installed at Talbot Primary School in Bournemouth. It’s a tremendous step towards saving lives from cardiac arrest, and we feel it’s a worthy time to reflect on how it all began.

When was the first public use AED installed?

In 2008, the first public-use defibrillator was installed in Chew Valley, near Bristol. The initiative was begun by local businessman Clive Setter in response to a high number of sudden cardiac arrest deaths in the local area. He’d noticed the AED networks of other countries while travelling through Europe, and was inspired to do the same in his hometown.

What started out as one man’s idea for a small rural area soon snowballed. It caught the attention of paramedics and members of Ambulance Trusts across the country, and a national campaign sparked into life.

Initially, 15 public AEDs were installed across Chew Valley. But there was a catch. The equipment needed regular monitoring and maintenance to remain operational. The scheme relied on local ‘guardians’ – volunteers that committed to checking AED cabinets and equipment every fortnight. They checked the battery level, and the pad expiration dates. To stay fit for purpose, the life-saving equipment depended on kind members of the public committing their own time, every 2 weeks, without fail. 

Maintaining the AED network

However generous the act, the critical need to rely on local volunteers for maintenance wasn’t sustainable nationwide. A digital database, called The Circuit, was established by the British Heart Foundation, ensuring that all ambulances can quickly and easily find the closest AED in response to cardiac arrest.

Despite this, it’s estimated that up to 30% of all public AEDs aren’t working at any one time. Imagine urgently needing an AED because somebody is suffering from cardiac arrest, only to find it out of battery. It could be devastating.

That’s why Defib Machines offer a specialised defib maintenance and rental package across the UK. From just £1 a day you can help save lives.

Legal requirements for AEDs

There are currently no legal standards regarding the installation and maintenance of AEDs. The Automated External Defibrillators (Public Access) Bill was introduced in Parliament in 2021, aiming to mandate AED installation in various public facilities, but it’s not yet law. One of the few mandates was introduced in 2022, requiring all state-funded schools to have at least one AED installed on their premises. It’s no surprise then that the 100,000th public AED installation would be in a school!

But AEDs aren’t ‘set it and forget it’ equipment. The batteries need monitoring and charging. Pads need replacing. Cabinets need to be maintained. Encouraging AED installation is fantastic, but it’s only half of the picture. The machines need maintenance to remain functional, just like any other critical machinery or equipment.

AED installations in public schools 

While 20,000 schools received AEDs funded by the government, many were left without. Those that did receive an AED are facing an approaching expiry date – most batteries have a lifespan up to 4 years, depending on the model. In some cases, the staff that were originally trained to use the AED have left. In others, AEDs fall into a grey area in the roles and responsibilities of staff.

With schools bearing the burden of AED installation, maintenance, and most importantly responsibility, it’s clear to see that affordable and reliable AED solutions are required.

How can schools fund AEDs?

AED rental plans for schools are a cost-effective way to comply with the mandate and guarantee the equipment remains in full working condition. The additional responsibility of monitoring and maintaining 1 or more AEDs is something that most schools can do without. With a rental plan that includes scheduled maintenance, that responsibility is alleviated. For just £365 per year, headteachers and educational managers can hire an AED with full support, knowing that the life-saving equipment is ready to use in case of cardiac arrest. 

The installation of the 100,000th public use AED highlights the increased awareness of its life-saving impact when cardiac arrest strikes. And there’s still more to do. We can be sure that, as AED adoption becomes more widespread and common, legal requirements and standards will come into force. Organisations, businesses and institutions that react now will stay ahead of regulations that are sure to come in the future.

Reach out to Defib Machines today to find out how we can support you with our AED Rental Packages