Replace your AED pads when they reach the expiration date printed on the package, and replace them right away after any use, even if no shock was delivered. Most pads last about 2 to 5 years depending on the model. Swapping them takes a few minutes: open the case, unplug the old pads, plug in the new set that matches your exact AED model, and confirm the readiness indicator is green. If children are in your care, you also need to know which pads belong in the device, and that is covered below.

We are a behavioral health organization that teaches CPR/AED and crisis management, so we see the same pattern in homes, schools and community programs. The device sits on the wall for years, everyone trusts it, and nobody has looked at the pad date. This guide gives you the schedule, the steps and the checks to keep that from happening to you.

TL;DR

• Pads are single use. Replace them immediately after any attachment to a patient, and before the expiration date even if they were never used.
• Typical shelf life is 2 to 5 years by model. Check the date on the pads themselves and note it in your calendar.
• Pads are model-specific. Order by your exact AED model name and part number, not by brand alone.
• Children under 8 years or under about 55 lb should get pediatric pads when they are available. If they are not, adult pads are better than no shock.
• After replacing, confirm the readiness indicator is green or shows a checkmark, and log the new expiration date.

Table of Contents

• When AED pads need to be replaced
• Match the pads to your exact AED model
• How to replace AED pads step by step
• Pediatric vs. adult AED pads
• Build a simple pad replacement routine
• Our perspective
• Get your team trained and ready
• FAQ
• Sources

When AED pads need to be replaced

There are two triggers: the calendar and the event. The calendar is the expiration date. The event is any use, damage or doubt about the package.

The calendar: expiration dates

Pad lifespan varies by manufacturer. One manufacturer’s maintenance page says pads last 2 to 4 years or must be replaced right after use. Another states that its adult and pediatric pads expire after 2 years even when unused, and recommends monthly checks of supplies. A university safety office notes that the gel on chest pads breaks down over time, typically between 18 and 30 months depending on the manufacturer.

The reason is simple. As pads age, the water-based conductive gel dries out. Expired pads can give poor skin contact and unreliable rhythm analysis, and in the worst case the AED may not deliver an adequate shock. That is why the date matters more than the way the pads look.

Your practical rule: read the date on your pads, not the date you remember buying them. Pads can sit in inventory before they reach you, so a set bought last year may expire sooner than you expect.

The event: use, damage or doubt

Defibrillation pads are intended for one-time use. The owner’s manual for one common model says they must be discarded after use and must be used before the expiration date. Replace pads when any of these is true, according to one pad compatibility guide:

• They are expired.
• The package is torn, punctured or unsealed.
• They were attached to a patient, or opened during training or inspection.
• The AED status indicator shows an accessory problem.
• Pads are missing, may no longer stick properly, or do not match the AED model.
• Adult pads are installed where pediatric pads are needed.

After a rescue, take the AED out of service until the pads are replaced. On some units, the device chirps until new pads are installed. Replace the battery check on the same day, since a rescue uses power too.

Order before you need them

One maintenance guide suggests ordering replacement pads and batteries at least 30 days before the current ones expire, so there is no gap in readiness. We agree with the spirit of that advice. A lapse of a few days is a few days when your AED is not ready for a real emergency.

Match the pads to your exact AED model

This is where most reordering mistakes happen. Pads are model-specific, and a brand name alone is not enough. A Philips HeartStart OnSite needs pads made for that model, and a ZOLL AED Plus needs pads made for the AED Plus. Some devices, such as certain HeartSine units, use a cartridge-style pad pack.

Here is how to get it right:

1. Find the model name on the front label of the device, or on the label on the back near the battery compartment.
2. Write down the model name and the part number printed on your current pads.
3. Confirm whether you need adult pads, pediatric pads, or both.
4. Check whether the AED also needs a battery at this point in its cycle.
5. Buy from an authorized retailer.

Pads even within one manufacturer’s line are often not interchangeable. According to one compatibility guide, one common exception is that three ZOLL pad types fit both the AED Plus and the AED Pro, while Defibtech’s Lifeline and Lifeline VIEW use different adult pad numbers. Do not assume. Order by exact model.

Use the FDA’s accessory table

The FDA keeps a table of FDA-approved AED accessories that lists each accessory, its manufacturer, the AEDs it works with and its approval date. The agency recommends checking it to verify compatibility, contacting the AED manufacturer if you are unsure, buying from authorized retailers, and using the unique device identifier on product labels to search the AccessGUDID database.

The FDA also warns that an AED that is not FDA-approved may lose access to compatible accessories after February 3, 2022. If your device is older, ask the manufacturer whether pads are still supported for your model, and plan a transition if they are not.

How to replace AED pads step by step

The details differ by model, so keep your owner’s manual nearby. The general sequence is the same across most devices.

1. Open the case or lid. Most AEDs store pads pre-connected, so you will see the pad package or cartridge.
2. Disconnect the old pads. Pull the connector from the device. On some models, such as the HeartStart, a latch releases a pad cartridge. The Philips FRx guide says to disconnect the cable of the old pads, then take the new pad case out of its package.
3. Connect the new pads. Pull the connector out a short length and insert the plug into the defibrillator until it is fully seated or clicks.
4. Leave the package sealed. Pads are designed to be stored pre-connected, and opening them early ruins them.
5. Check the readiness indicator. It should be green or show a checkmark.
6. Record the new date. The OnSite manual tells owners to use a new maintenance tag to record the expiration date of the newly installed pad cartridge.

If the indicator is not green after the swap, reseat the connector, then consult the manual or call the manufacturer. Do not leave an AED in a cabinet with a warning indicator.

What to check after you replace the pads

The same manual instructs owners to check supplies and accessories for damage and expiration dates, and to replace anything used, damaged or expired. In practice, that means looking at the whole kit:

• The spare pad set, if you keep one.
• The battery date and charge status.
• The rescue kit items, such as a razor, trauma shears and a towel.
• The cabinet alarm, if the unit has one, and that the cabinet is easy to reach.

One manufacturer recommends monthly checks of AED supplies, including pads within their usable dates. A monthly walk-by, with initials on a log, is enough to catch most problems.

Pediatric vs. adult AED pads

If children use your space, pad type matters as much as pad date. The short version: smaller children need less energy, and pediatric pads reduce the energy delivered.

The American Heart Association’s AED fact sheet says children older than 8 can be treated with a standard AED. For children 1 to 8 years old, it recommends pediatric-attenuated pads, which are purchased separately. For infants under 1, a manual defibrillator is preferred, with an AED with a dose attenuator as an alternative.

Because children need less energy, the current must be reduced through specially designed pediatric pads or manual adjustment, which is why the AHA recommends them for any child under 8 years old, or under about 55 lb.

Three ways AEDs handle children

Not every AED uses a separate pad. According to one model-by-model guide, pediatric coverage works in three ways:

On a device with separate pads, the AED detects which type is connected. The ZOLL AED Pro, for example, adjusts energy for adult or pediatric levels based on the electrodes attached and announces the pad type after its power-on self-test. Its operator’s guide also says not to use adult electrode pads on patients under 8 years old.

Track pediatric pads separately

If your site has real pediatric exposure, such as a school, daycare, clinic or youth program, confirm your model has a pediatric option from the same manufacturer. One facility guide advises checking its shelf life separately because pediatric sets are typically lower-volume items and can lapse unnoticed. Budget for both sets in every replacement cycle, and give each its own line on your log.

If pediatric pads are not available

If pediatric pads are on hand, use them. If they are not, the same guide notes that AHA and ILCOR guidance prefers adult pads on a child in cardiac arrest to not defibrillating at all. Placement matters too. For a child, the best position is the front-back (anterior-posterior) configuration, and it is also used when standard placement would cause pads to overlap on a small chest.

For a step-by-step look at children ages 1 to 8, see our guide for parents and caregivers on AEDs for children. If you are deciding where devices and spare pads should live, our AED placement guidelines walk through it.

Build a simple pad replacement routine

A routine beats memory. Here is a system that works for a home, a classroom or a small organization.

• Name one person responsible for the AED, and one backup.
• Do a monthly check. Look at the status indicator, the pad expiration dates, the battery and the cabinet.
• Put dates in a shared calendar with a reminder 60 days before expiration, so the 30-day ordering window is never missed.
• Keep the model and part numbers on a card inside the cabinet or in your log.
• Keep a spare set of pads if your budget allows, so an AED can go back in service right after a rescue.
• Log every use, including training, since opened pads are done.

Schools face the extra task of making sure staff know where the device is and who checks it. Our practical guide to AED use in schools and our article on building an AED program for schools cover the roles, drills and upkeep that keep a device ready year after year.

Our perspective

We work every day with children who have autism, with the families who love them, and with the school staff who care for them. That gives us a particular view of emergency readiness: a plan only helps if the people in the room feel confident using it.

An AED with fresh pads is only half of readiness. The other half is a calm adult who knows where it is, has practiced with it, and understands that a child under 8 needs different pads. We teach CPR/AED workshops and crisis management for exactly this reason. Crisis prevention and crisis response belong together, and our team approaches both with the same patient, step-by-step mindset we bring to ABA therapy.

For families and schools, we encourage a short monthly check, a written log, and a quick team conversation about what each person would do in the first minute. Small habits build the confidence that makes a difference when it counts, and we are proud to help communities build them.

Jennifer

Get your team trained and ready

Pads and batteries are the equipment. Training is what turns the equipment into action. Building Block Resolutions offers crisis management and crisis prevention support alongside our ABA therapy for children with autism, and we also work with schools and organizations through behaviorally based staff training.

If you want your staff, caregivers or family members prepared for emergencies, explore our services or learn about our crisis management and crisis prevention offerings. Contact us through the site and tell us about your setting, and we will point you to the right fit.

FAQ

How often should AED pads be replaced?

About every 2 to 5 years, depending on the manufacturer and model. Always go by the expiration date printed on the pads. They must also be replaced immediately after any use, even if no shock was delivered.

Can I use adult AED pads on a child?

For children under 8 or under about 55 lb, pediatric pads are recommended when available. If you do not have them in an emergency, guidance supports using adult pads rather than withholding a shock. Place them front and back if they would overlap on the chest.

Are AED pads universal?

No. Pads are made for specific models, and even devices from the same brand often need different pads. Find your model name on the front label or near the battery compartment, and order by model name and part number. The FDA’s accessory table lists compatible AEDs.

Do unused AED pads expire?

Yes. The conductive gel dries out over time, even in a sealed package. Some manufacturers state a 2-year expiration for unused pads, while others run longer. Check the date monthly and order replacements about 30 days ahead.

What should I check after replacing the pads?

Confirm the readiness indicator is green or shows a checkmark. Then record the new expiration date, check the battery and look over the rest of the kit. If the indicator does not turn green, reseat the connector and contact the manufacturer.

Sources

• ZOLL: How to maintain an AED
• Defibtech: Do AEDs expire?
• University of Washington EH&S: Automated External Defibrillators
• Response Ready: AED battery and pad replacement guide
• Lifeline/ReviveR owner’s manual
• AED USA: Replacement pads by brand and model
• AED Professionals: Pads and batteries by model
• FDA: Automated External Defibrillators
• Philips HeartStart FRx maintenance
• Philips HeartStart OnSite owner’s manual
• American Heart Association AED fact sheet
• ZOLL: Defibrillator electrode pad placement
• ZOLL AED Pro operator’s guide
• CASRAI: Buying an AED for your facility

Recommended

• Parents & Caregivers: AEDs for Children 1–8 — Pad Placement and When to Act
• AED Placement Guidelines: Where to Put Defibrillators
• AED Use in Schools: A Practical Guide for Staff and Parents
• AED Program for Schools: How to Build One That Works