The automated external defibrillator or AED is a critical tool for first-aid emergency responders. It's a portable, easy-to-use medical device designed to help patients experiencing cardiac arrest. And for it to be effectively used, it must have a properly functioning battery (e.g. m3863a).

Do you have AEDs? If you're wondering when should their batteries be replaced, this read is for you. Scroll through to know when should this important task be done.

Replacing AED Batteries

Today, there are many reliable AED batteries like m5070a available in the market. The question is when you should buy them to replace old ones. Here are helpful tips.

Check the date on the battery. Manufacturers are required to stamp dates on the batteries themselves. Typically, you'll find three different dates:

Manufactured date. This is when the battery was produced at the manufacturing facility.

Install By date. This is the battery's shelf life. You have to install your battery before this date.

Expiration date. Make sure that the battery is replaced before this date. If there's no expiration date indicated.

Keep a record of your AED batteries. Typically, an AED battery is replaced every two to five years. To help you keep track of things more accurately, it's recommended to keep a log of your medical devices’ batteries. This should include the abovementioned dates. This will help you see, at a glance, which batteries are already due for replacement.

Perform routine checks. Manufacturers have their own recommendations on how to perform regular checks of the batteries they manufactured. Being diligent in doing these checks will help you ensure that your AED or any other medical device is indeed rescue-ready. And, in turn, this will equip your team to be capable of helping save lives.

Other Important Tips To Know

Got an m5070a or any other battery for your AED? These are some more tips that you need to know.

Make sure that AED batteries are correctly installed. When looking for replacement batteries for AEDs, you have to first guarantee that they’re compatible with the device. Follow instructions to make sure that the replacement batteries are installed properly.

Always keep a backup battery. This will come in handy if your AED's current battery won’t suddenly work (even if it’s far from its expiration date).

Buy your batteries from reliable suppliers. As mentioned, there are many AED replacement batteries available. But you have to be careful — don’t just hastily buy. Research your seller’s credibility and their products’ authenticity. Check customer reviews and see if any of their products were reported to have defects. It pays and it’s more cost-effective to find the right supplier and stick with them for all your battery replacement needs.

Dispose of old batteries properly. Whichever battery you’re buying (e.g. M3863a), keep in mind that they have to be disposed of properly when they reach the end of their life cycle. Most AED batteries are mandated to be recycled. Give your old batteries to the appropriate hubs and do not put them in bins as they’re considered a fire hazard.