Defibrillators do not need to be plugged into the wall. They do not have a power supply but rather are battery operated. When a defibrillator is needed in a sudden cardiac arrest emergency. It absolutely must have the battery power available to deliver potentially life-saving shocks. There’s no time to hunt for power cords or outlets when seconds count.
That’s why modern defibrillators like those found in workplaces and public spaces rely on long-lasting, sealed lithium battery packs rather than requiring any hardwired power supply or outlet connection. The batteries provide a reliable source of power whenever and wherever the device is needed.
How Defibrillator Batteries Work
Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) contain specialized lithium battery packs designed for to have a long stand-by life. These batteries are only used for one rescue and then they need to be replaced. These batteries offer numerous advantages over rechargeable power supplies:
- Always charged and ready for use with maximum power
- No maintenance requirements like recharging cycles
- Extremely long shelf life of 4+ years
- Simple to swap out expired batteries for new ones
Most of our AED models utilize batteries with a 4-year operational life when kept within the device’s temperature range and install date. However, the Defibtech Lifeline AED included in DDI Safety packages features an even longer-lasting 7-year battery.
This provides up to seven years of reliable standby power assurance right out of the package. When the 7-year battery life is up, Defibtech offers replacement batteries that can be easily swapped in.
Rechargeable Battery Packs Are Unreliable
While rechargeable batteries may seem convenient, they are simply not suited for powering life-critical emergency equipment like defibrillators:
- Lithium rechargeable packs degrade with every charge/discharge cycle
- If not recharged on schedule, they can be fully drained in an emergency
- Recharging systems add points of failure and maintenance complexity
With a defibrillator, you need confidence it will work perfectly when calling it into use after months or years of standby time. Sealed lithium batteries provide maximum reliability and simplicity.
Simple Battery Replacement Is Critical
Of course, replacing batteries on schedule is critical AED maintenance. But this single swap every 4-7 years (depending on model) is far easier than recharging rechargeable packs.
It gives you assurance the AED has its full rated power whenever needed, with no strings attached. No power supply, charging station or available outlets required.
Check out our guide Understanding Defibrillator Function and Use for more details on this life-saving technology.