DefibSure: Annual On-Site Defibrillator Servicing

What does the DefibSure service include?

Every DefibSure visit includes:

• Annual on-site attendance by a trained engineer, at a time that suits your organisation
• Shock testing across three scenarios: initial shock, escalated shock, and no-shock-required
• Testing across all impedance loads, from infant to adult
• Optional annual AED familiarisation training for up to 12 people, approx. 30 mins, no first-aid experience needed
• Pad and battery management: as a DefibSure member, you get a year-round discount on all replacement pads and batteries
• Emergency and service call-outs at no additional charge if the AED shows an error between services
• A maintenance certificate issued at the end of every visit

Optional extras (charged separately):

• Cabinet service: heater test, lock and hinge service, and a thorough clean, just 20p extra. Covers any cabinet, any brand.
• Upgrade to a new AED after emergency use, or after 12 months

Pay nothing until the work is done. It's a simple 12-month plan that rolls over yearly to keep you covered. You can also cancel with 3 months' written notice before a renewal.

Do defibrillators need to be serviced?

Our engineers regularly encounter defibrillators in communities across the country that have not been properly cared for, stored in inadequate cabinets, exposed to condensation, collecting dust, or simply forgotten about for years. A device in that condition may not be working correctly at the moment it is needed, with potentially catastrophic results. It is vitally important that a defibrillator is able to produce a shock at the correct energy level, at the appropriate time, and that all consumable parts, batteries, pads, and terminals are in date and in working condition. During a DefibSure service, every component of your defibrillator is checked before our diagnostic equipment is used to simulate a patient and verify the unit is performing as it should.

Although modern AEDs include automated self-test features, these have limitations. Self-tests confirm the device has power and that basic components are responding; they cannot verify whether the device will deliver an appropriate shock across the real-world scenarios it may face: different patient impedances, escalating shock requirements, or no-shock-required situations. Only a professional service with calibrated analyser equipment can confirm that.

There is no single piece of UK law that mandates annual servicing by name, but across manufacturer guidance, MHRA recommendations, the updated British Standard BS 8599-1:2019+A1:2026, and PUWER obligations, the practical standard is clear: annual professional servicing, with a maintenance certificate issued on completion, is how you demonstrate due diligence and maintain a documented record should your AED ever be used in an emergency.

How often should a defibrillator be serviced?

Annually. Most AED manufacturers recommend an annual professional service to complement the device's own automated self-testing. DefibSure is structured as a 12 month rolling plan, with one engineer visit per year, per device.

Between annual services, you should carry out a brief visual check monthly: confirm the status indicator is green or showing ready, check the cabinet is secure, and verify no physical damage to the device or pads. DefibSure's maintenance certificate will record the outcome of each full service.

What does "service required" mean on my defibrillator?

A "service required" alert, which different AED models display in different ways, typically means the device has detected something that its automated self-test cannot resolve: a failed internal check, a component outside of tolerance, or a scheduled service interval that has elapsed. It is not a warning to ignore.

If your AED is displaying a "service required" message and you are a DefibSure customer, contact us immediately and we will arrange a call-out. If you are not currently on a service plan, call 01298 872 186 and we can advise on next steps.

What is shock testing and why does it matter?

Shock testing uses calibrated defibrillator analyser equipment to verify that an AED will deliver the correct electrical charge in the scenarios it may face. The DefibSure service tests three scenarios:

Initial shock: confirms the device delivers the correct energy level on first activation.

Escalated shock: confirms the device correctly increases energy output if the first shock does not restore a normal rhythm. Many AEDs escalate automatically; this test confirms the escalation is working correctly.

No-shock-required: confirms the device correctly identifies a rhythm that does not require a shock, and instructs the rescuer accordingly. A device that shocks a non-shockable rhythm causes harm. This scenario is as important to test as the others.

Our equipment tests all impedance loads, from infants to adults, removing human error through pre-set, automated test sequences that follow the strictest regulatory guidelines for defibrillators.

How much does defibrillator servicing cost?

DefibSure is £182.50 + VAT per AED, per year, just 50p a day.

You are invoiced annually in advance, but payment is only taken once the service has been completed and you have confirmed it is done. There are no hidden fees for the annual visit, the shock testing, or the maintenance certificate. Optional extras are charged separately if required. DefibSure members receive a discount on all replacement pads and batteries purchased from Defib Store, this applies year-round, not just at your annual service visit.

Is training included in the DefibSure service?

Optional AED familiarisation training for up to 12 people is available as part of every DefibSure visit, at no additional charge, and takes approximately 30 minutes. The engineer walks your team through the device so everyone on site feels confident using it if it's ever needed. No first-aid experience is required. As a DefibSure member, this refresher is included at each annual service visit, year after year.

If you'd like a First Aid certified AED and CPR course, please check out our Basic Life Support, CPR & AED Familiarisation Training.

Can my cabinet be serviced at the same time?

Yes. Cabinet servicing, covering the heater test, lock and hinge service, and a thorough clean, can be added to any DefibSure visit for just 20p. The engineer is already on site; adding a full cabinet inspection costs next to nothing and means both your AED and its housing leave the visit confirmed ready. It's the most straightforward way to keep everything in order in a single appointment.

What happens if my AED shows an error between services?

Emergency and service call-outs are included in the DefibSure plan at no additional charge. If your device shows an error at any point between annual service visits, contact us and we will arrange for an engineer to attend.

Note: if the call-out follows emergency use of the AED (i.e., the device was deployed in an actual cardiac event), a service labour charge applies per the contract terms. After emergency use, you also have the option to upgrade to a new AED, see the optional extras above. For more information, call 01298 872 186.

Does DefibSure cover all AED makes and models?

Yes. DefibSure covers any AED, regardless of brand or where it was originally purchased. Whether you have a Philips HeartStart, a ZOLL AED 3, a Cardiac Science G5, a Primedic, or any other model, our engineers can service it under the DefibSure plan.

If you already have an AED from another supplier and want professional annual servicing with shock testing, a maintenance certificate, and emergency call-out cover, you don't need to replace your device to access DefibSure. Call us on 01298 872 186 to confirm your specific model before signing up.

What are the contract terms?

DefibSure runs on a minimum 12-month term, then rolls over yearly. Key terms:

• Payment: Invoiced annually in advance; payment is only taken once the service is completed and confirmed by you
• Cancellation: 3 months' written notice before a yearly renewal date

A copy of the full DefibSure agreement is provided before you sign up.

How do I sign up for DefibSure?

Call us on 01298 872 186 and our team will walk you through the plan and send you a contract to sign. If you'd prefer to start by email, to ask questions or request a callback, email us at hello@defibstore.co.uk.

Once you sign the DefibSure agreement, you choose a convenient date and time for the first service visit. The engineer attends, carries out all testing, manages pads and batteries, and issues your maintenance certificate at the end of the visit. You confirm the service is complete, which triggers the invoice.