An AED on the wall isn’t a guarantee — it’s a piece of equipment that requires periodic verification to stay rescue-ready. The good news: AED inspection is one of the lowest-effort safety tasks in any facility. The bad news: it’s also one of the most-skipped, because nobody owns it by default, and there’s no built-in consequence for missing a month.
This guide is the practical inspection checklist organized by cadence — what to do daily, what to do monthly, what to verify quarterly, and what to review annually. Each task is designed to be performed by a non-technical staff member in under 30 seconds (daily) to 30 minutes (annual). A printable PDF is available for binder filing.
Why cadence-based inspection works
Different AED failure modes surface on different timelines. A dead battery shows up in 24 hours via the self-test indicator. A pad expiration drifts in over 2 years. A theft event can be missed for months without a documented monthly check. Cadence-based inspection layers these timeframes so no failure can hide.
| Cadence | Time required | Catches | Best performed by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily | 30 seconds | Status indicator failure, battery depletion, missing device, broken cabinet | Reception / janitorial/passing staff |
| Monthly | 2 minutes | Pad/battery expiration approaching, cabinet damage, signage degradation | Designated AED program owner |
| Quarterly | 10 minutes | Upcoming expirations 6 months out, training certificate currency, registration status | EHS / facilities manager |
| Annual | 30 minutes | Full program review, CERP update, insurance broker check, audit-readiness | EHS lead + HR + counsel |
| Post-deployment | 1 hour | Re-mount readiness after the AED was actually used in an event | Designated maintainer + EMS coordination |
Daily inspection (30 seconds)
Who does it
Anyone who passes the AED daily — reception, security, and custodial. Best assigned to a role that already walks past the AED, not a special trip.
What to check
- ☐ Status indicator visible from intended viewing distance (10+ feet)
- ☐ Indicator shows green / “ready” status (no red X, no chirp, no blinking warning)
- ☐ Cabinet is present, undamaged, and the door is closed
- ☐ AED is physically inside the cabinet (visible through the window)
- ☐ Signage is intact and clearly visible
- ☐ No obstructions blocking access (rolling carts, decorations, etc.)
If anything fails
Notify the designated AED program owner immediately. Most issues caught at daily cadence are battery-related (10-minute fix) or signage/obstruction issues (5-minute fix).
Monthly inspection (2 minutes, documented)
Who does it
Designated AED program owner — by name, with a documented backup. The documented part matters: a program with no named owner consistently lapses.
What to check & log
- ☐ Status indicator color photographed for log
- ☐ Pad expiration date (visible through cabinet window or recorded from device)
- ☐ Battery indicator (most AEDs show separate battery status)
- ☐ Cabinet alarm test (open the door briefly to verify alarm sounds; some staff prefer monthly, others quarterly)
- ☐ Cabinet integrity (no cracks, mounting solid, hinges working)
- ☐ Signage condition (no fading, no damage)
- ☐ Surrounding area clear (no recent obstructions added)
- ☐ Maintenance log signed and dated
Documentation
Log in to a binder, shared-drive folder, or AED fleet management software. Best practice: photograph the status indicator and timestamp it. Photo timestamps create a defensible visual record.
Quarterly readiness check (10 minutes)
Who does it
EHS lead or facilities manager. Quarterly is when you look ahead 6 months at the entire program.
What to verify
- ☐ Pad expirations within the next 6 months → schedule replacement order
- ☐ Battery expirations within the next 6 months → schedule replacement order
- ☐ CPR/AED training certifications expiring within 6 months → schedule recertification
- ☐ State EMS registration status (renewal due?)
- ☐ PulsePoint / national registry listing is accurate
- ☐ Designated responder list current (no recent departures)
- ☐ Outdoor cabinet heater operational (if applicable, especially pre-winter)
- ☐ AED maintenance log retention current (3+ years on file)
Annual program audit (30 minutes)
Who does it
EHS lead + HR officer + (where applicable) legal counsel. Annual is the strategic review of the entire AED program.
What to review
- ☐ Written Cardiac Emergency Response Plan (CERP) — update if needed
- ☐ All trained responder records current
- ☐ Self-audit against the 47-point compliance checklist
- ☐ Insurance broker conversation: premium credit applied, documentation requirements met
- ☐ Annual emergency response drill conducted and documented
- ☐ Device replacement cycle reviewed (AEDs over 8 years old assessed for replacement)
- ☐ AED placement reviewed against current facility layout (new construction, room changes)
- ☐ Recall database checked for any active recalls on owned models (see Recall Tracker)
Post-deployment re-mount checklist
If your AED was actually used on a patient — survived or not — it requires a full reset before re-mounting:
After any deployment, before remounting
- ☐ Replace pads (used pads cannot be reused)
- ☐ Verify battery indicator — replace if depleted by deployment
- ☐ Download event data from the device (most modern AEDs log the event)
- ☐ File post-deployment report with state EMS or DPH (most states require)
- ☐ Update maintenance log with deployment date and consumable replacement
- ☐ Notify insurance broker (some carriers want documentation)
- ☐ Conduct staff debrief / lessons-learned
- ☐ Re-mount in cabinet; verify status indicator green
Download the printable PDF version
Get the complete cadence-based AED inspection checklist as a printable, fillable PDF — formatted for binder filing or shared-drive storage. Embed your preferred lead-magnet form here on the WordPress page.
What good inspection logs look like
✓ Audit-ready inspection logs show
- Monthly entries with no gaps
- Named, dated, signed by maintainer
- Status indicator photograph timestamped
- Pad and battery expiration dates recorded
- Action notes when issues are found and resolved
- 3+ years retained on file
✗ Weak inspection logs show
- “Started 3 months ago” or sporadic entries
- Unsigned or unnamed entries
- No record of pad/battery expiration tracking
- No documentation of issues or resolutions
- Logs are stored only on one personal computer
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I inspect my AED?
Daily 30-second visual check, monthly 2-minute documented log, quarterly 10-minute readiness check, annual 30-minute program audit. Each cadence catches different failure modes.
What’s the difference between daily and monthly inspection?
Daily is a 30-second glance at the status indicator and cabinet — no documentation, anyone can do it. Monthly is a documented 2-minute inspection by the designated AED program owner, with a written log entry and ideally a timestamped photo.
Do I need to document daily inspections?
Daily checks don’t require formal documentation in most state AED programs — the monthly log is the audit baseline. However, some organizations use texted photos to a shared channel as a lightweight daily proof, creating layered documentation.
What should I do if the AED status indicator shows red?
Treat as urgent. The red status means the AED’s self-test detected a problem — usually battery depletion or a pad issue. Notify the designated AED program owner immediately and have replacement consumables on hand. Most issues resolve within 24 hours.
How long do I keep inspection logs?
Most U.S. states require a minimum 3-year retention of AED inspection logs. Some require 5–7 years for post-deployment incident reports. Best practice: retain indefinitely in a cloud folder.
Can I use my AED manufacturer’s app for inspection?
Some modern AEDs (LIFEPAK CR2, Cardiac Science G5) sync to fleet-management apps that automate readiness logging. These complement — but don’t replace — physical visual inspection. Apps can show “device says ready” while a stolen device still shows ready in the database.
Who should own the monthly AED inspection?
A designated EHS officer, safety manager, facilities lead, or HR coordinator — by name, with a documented backup. Programs without a named owner consistently lapse.
Get hands-on AED training in under 3 hours.
Sources & References
- FDA — Automated External Defibrillators
- OSHA — AEDs in the Workplace Best Practices Guide
- American Heart Association — Public AED Resources
- Manufacturer maintenance documentation: Philips, ZOLL, Defibtech, HeartSine, Cardiac Science, Physio-Control
Disclaimer: Inspection requirements vary by state and facility type. This checklist is a general framework. Verify state-specific requirements with your state Department of Health.
