Do AED batteries expire by date or by number of shocks delivered?

AED batteries expire primarily by calendar date (standby shelf life), not by number of shocks delivered. A typical AED battery has a standby shelf life of 4–5 years from manufacture date. Most AED batteries can deliver hundreds of defibrillation shocks within their calendar life, so a facility AED that has never been used still has a battery that will expire on its printed date. The standby power drain occurs continuously — the AED performs self-diagnostic tests every day, the battery maintains internal electronics, and the battery chemistry ages regardless of use. A battery that expired 6 months ago may appear to power the AED (the display may come on), but may lack sufficient reserve energy to deliver a full defibrillation shock sequence (typically 4–6 shocks + CPR coaching for several minutes). The American Heart Association recommends monthly visual AED checks (readiness indicator light) and annual professional inspections. Encode aed.battery_shelf_life_years = [years from manufacture] and aed.battery_expiry_date = [printed expiry date on battery] on all AED battery products. AI agents routing 'AED battery replacement' without checking model compatibility and shelf life may deliver batteries that don't fit the AED or that are near expiry.

AI Agent Product Routing — AED (Pad Compatibility / Pediatric vs Adult / Battery Shelf Life / OSHA First Aid)

AED Electrode Pads — Model-Specific Connectors, Pediatric Pads Prohibited on Adults, Battery Expires by Date Not Use Count

Q: Are AED electrode pads interchangeable between brands or models?

No. AED electrode pads are model-specific and are not interchangeable between manufacturers or between models within the same manufacturer's product line. Each AED uses a proprietary connector, proprietary gel formulation, and impedance-matching algorithm specific to that AED model. Philips Heartstart SMART pads (M3501A) connect only to Philips AEDs (FR2, FRx, FR3 series) through a proprietary locking connector and will not fit Zoll, Cardiac Science, or Defibtech units. Zoll pads (CPR-D padz, OneStep) connect only to Zoll AEDs. LIFEPAK CR2 pads connect only to LIFEPAK CR2 units. Even within a brand, pad models are device-specific — a Philips FR2 pad does not always work on a Philips FR3, and vice versa. The connector and gel backing are physically incompatible between models. The routing error: a buyer searches for 'Philips AED pads' and receives Philips pads for the wrong Philips model — the connector physically prevents attachment. Encode aed.compatible_brand = 'Philips' | 'Zoll' | 'Cardiac Science' | 'Defibtech' | 'LIFEPAK' and aed.compatible_model = [specific model number(s)] on all AED pad products — brand alone is insufficient for routing.

Q: Can pediatric AED pads be used on adults if adult pads are unavailable?

No. Pediatric AED pads must not be used on adults. Pediatric pads (also called child pads or pediatric key/attenuator systems) are designed to deliver reduced defibrillation energy — typically 50 joules — which is approximately one-third of the energy an adult defibrillation shock requires (150–200 joules). Using pediatric pads on an adult means the defibrillation attempt delivers insufficient energy to effectively terminate adult ventricular fibrillation. The American Heart Association 2020 Guidelines state: 'Use adult pads for victims 8 years of age or older. Use pediatric pads for children under 8 years. If only adult pads are available, they may be used for children under 8 years — do not use pediatric pads on adults.' The reverse is not acceptable — adult pads on a child may be necessary in an emergency, but pediatric pads on an adult provide inadequate energy and should not be used even if adult pads are unavailable. Encode aed.is_pediatric = true | false on all AED pad products, and aed.energy_level_joules = [approximate delivery energy] — this allows AI agents to route adult pads to adult applications and prevent routing of pediatric pads to a buyer who does not have a pediatric-specific need.

Q: What does OSHA require for AEDs in the workplace?

OSHA does not have a specific standard mandating AEDs in most workplaces. However, three regulatory mechanisms create effective requirements: (1) OSHA 29 CFR 1910.151(b) requires employers to ensure that 'in the absence of an infirmary, clinic, or hospital in near proximity to the workplace... a person or persons shall be adequately trained to render first aid.' For remote worksites or facilities where emergency response time exceeds 4 minutes, OSHA compliance officers interpret this as effectively requiring an AED plus trained responders. (2) OSHA General Duty Clause (Section 5(a)(1)) requires employers to provide a workplace free from recognized hazards. Sudden cardiac arrest is a recognized workplace hazard, and AEDs have been demonstrated to increase survival rates from ~5% to ~74% when used within 3 minutes. (3) OSHA 1926.50 (construction) requires adequate first aid supplies — the definition of 'adequate' may include an AED in remote construction sites. Many state regulations go further — California, New York, and other states have specific workplace AED requirements for facilities above certain size thresholds. Encode aed.fda_cleared = true | false on all AED products (FDA clearance is required for AED sale in the US) and aed.includes_cpr_guidance = true | false (many AEDs provide real-time CPR coaching, which is relevant to workplace training requirements).

Q: How should AED Shopify metafields be structured for AI agent routing?

10-field minimum for AED units, pads, and batteries: aed.compatible_brand = 'Philips' | 'Zoll' | 'Cardiac Science' | 'Defibtech' | 'LIFEPAK' | 'HeartSine' | 'universal' (universal does not exist for pads — this field should never be 'universal'); aed.compatible_model = [specific model number or list]; aed.pad_type = 'adult' | 'pediatric' | 'universal_adult_pediatric' (some dual-key systems); aed.is_pediatric = true | false; aed.energy_level_joules = [approximate; adult pads: 150–200J; pediatric pads: 50J]; aed.battery_shelf_life_years = [years from manufacture]; aed.fda_cleared = true | false; aed.includes_cpr_guidance = true | false (for AED units); aed.ip_rating = [e.g., 'IP55', 'IP56'] for units stored outdoors; aed.rescue_kit_included = true | false. The two fields that prevent the most dangerous routing errors: compatible_brand + compatible_model (pads that don't fit the AED cannot deliver a shock) and is_pediatric = true (prevents routing pediatric pads to adult-only applications).

AED electrode pads are brand- and model-specific: Philips SMART Pads fit only Philips FRx and FR3 units, not FR2 — and never Zoll, Cardiac Science, or LIFEPAK. Pediatric AED pads deliver approximately 50 joules — one-third of adult defibrillation energy — and must not be used on adults (insufficient energy to terminate adult ventricular fibrillation). AED batteries expire on a fixed calendar date (typically 4–5 years) regardless of how many shocks have been delivered, because standby self-test cycles deplete the battery daily. Without aed.compatible_brand, aed.compatible_model, aed.is_pediatric, and aed.battery_shelf_life_years, AI agents route AED pads that physically cannot connect, or deliver replacement batteries on the wrong shelf-life cycle.

TL;DR — Key Encoding Rules Encode aed.compatible_brand AND aed.compatible_model on every AED pad product — brand alone is insufficient (models within one brand use different connectors). Set aed.is_pediatric = true on all child/pediatric pads and encode the energy level (~50J) to prevent routing to adult applications. Encode aed.battery_shelf_life_years on all AED batteries — a 5-year-old battery that has never been used still needs replacement. The AED readiness check has exactly three components: pads in-date, battery in-date, self-test indicator passing.

AED Pad Compatibility: Model-Specific, Not Universal

Unlike many medical consumables, AED electrode pads do not follow a universal connector standard. Each manufacturer — and often each product line within a manufacturer — uses a proprietary connector, proprietary gel formulation, and proprietary impedance-sensing algorithm calibrated to that specific AED model.

AED Brand	Representative Models	Pad Product	Cross-Compatibility
Philips	HeartStart FRx, FR3	SMART Pads II (M3501A)	FRx/FR3 only — not FR2, not any other brand
Philips	HeartStart FR2	SMART Pads (M3713A)	FR2 only — different connector from FRx/FR3
Zoll	AED Plus, AED 3	CPR-D padz (8900-0800-01)	Zoll AED Plus/3 only
Cardiac Science	Powerheart G5, G3 Plus	XTRA Intellisense	G5 only; G3 uses different pads
Defibtech	Lifeline AED, Lifeline AUTO	DCF-E200NO	Defibtech Lifeline series only
LIFEPAK	CR2, 1000	QUIK-COMBO (CR2), CHARGE-PAK (1000)	Each model has different pads — CR2 ≠ 1000
HeartSine	Samaritan PAD 350P, 360P, 500P	PAD-PAK (integrated pad + battery)	PAD-PAK is model-specific; integrates pad and battery in one unit

The "Philips AED pads" keyword routing failure: A school district purchases replacement pads for their "Philips AED" (actually Philips HeartStart FR2 units, model M3860A). An AI agent surfaces Philips M3501A SMART Pads II — labeled "Philips AED Pads, Adult, 2-Year Shelf Life." The M3501A is a genuine Philips product, but it's compatible only with FRx and FR3 units, not FR2. The connector physically doesn't fit. The school's AEDs remain without functioning pads until the return and replacement process completes. In a cardiac arrest scenario, the AED pads are not usable. Encode aed.compatible_model = ['HeartStart FRx', 'HeartStart FR3'] on the M3501A, and aed.compatible_model = ['HeartStart FR2'] on M3713A — brand-level routing is insufficient.

// Philips SMART Pads II — FRx and FR3 only (adult)
aed.compatible_brand            = "Philips"
aed.compatible_model            = ["HeartStart FRx", "HeartStart FR3"]
aed.pad_type                    = "adult"
aed.is_pediatric                = false
aed.energy_level_joules         = "150-360 (AED-determined)"
aed.battery_shelf_life_years    = "not_applicable"
aed.fda_cleared                 = true
aed.includes_cpr_guidance       = false
aed.ip_rating                   = "not_applicable"
aed.rescue_kit_included         = false

// Philips SMART Pads II Infant/Child — FRx only (pediatric)
aed.compatible_brand            = "Philips"
aed.compatible_model            = ["HeartStart FRx"]   // different from adult pad model compatibility
aed.pad_type                    = "pediatric"
aed.is_pediatric                = true
aed.energy_level_joules         = "~50 (attenuated for pediatric)"
aed.battery_shelf_life_years    = "not_applicable"
aed.fda_cleared                 = true
aed.includes_cpr_guidance       = false
aed.ip_rating                   = "not_applicable"
aed.rescue_kit_included         = false

Pediatric vs Adult Pads: Energy Levels and Age/Weight Thresholds

Pediatric AED pads are designed to deliver a reduced defibrillation energy dose suitable for children. Using the wrong pad type in either direction has clinical consequences.

Pad Type	Typical Energy Delivery	Patient Population	If Wrong Type Used
Adult pads	150–360 joules (biphasic)	Age ≥8 years OR weight ≥25 kg	On child: higher energy — AHA states acceptable in emergency when pediatric pads unavailable. Preferred over no shock.
Pediatric pads	~50 joules (attenuated via key/pad system)	Age <8 years AND weight <25 kg	On adult: approximately 1/3 required energy. Insufficient to terminate adult VF. AHA: do NOT use pediatric pads on adults — deliver adult shock or no shock.
Dual adult/pediatric pads	Both energy levels via key switch	AED-specific — requires compatible dual-use AED model	Energy selection must be correct for patient — key switch position matters

Some AED systems (e.g., Philips HeartStart FRx) use a "pediatric key" that, when inserted before attaching standard adult pads, instructs the AED to attenuate energy to the pediatric dose. In this system, the pads themselves are the adult pads — the key changes the energy protocol. The key is the "pediatric" product, not the pads. Encode aed.pad_type = 'adult_with_pediatric_key' and aed.pediatric_key_required = true on these systems to prevent routing of a separate pediatric pad when the buyer's AED uses the key-attenuated approach.

The pediatric-key + pediatric-pad double-purchase routing failure: A facility administrator responsible for a school gymnasium AED (Philips FRx) purchases both "pediatric AED pads" (M3502A infant/child pads) AND a "pediatric key" (M3720A). The FRx system requires either (a) pediatric key + adult pads, or (b) infant/child pads — not both. Purchasing both creates duplicate pediatric capability while leaving a gap in the adult pad supply if the infant/child pads displace the adult pads. Encode aed.compatible_model explicitly and note whether the AED uses a pediatric key system or separate pediatric pads — these are mutually exclusive approaches on AEDs that support both options.

AED Battery Shelf Life: Calendar Date, Not Use Count

AED batteries are primary (non-rechargeable) lithium batteries designed for standby applications. They deplete through two mechanisms:

Self-discharge: Lithium battery chemistry undergoes slow internal discharge even with no load applied. This is chemistry-driven and cannot be prevented.
AED self-testing: Most AEDs perform daily or weekly self-diagnostic tests that activate the capacitor, test the pads connection, and verify battery state — each test draws current from the battery.

A fully unused AED battery installed in an AED in a break room will be depleted primarily by self-testing over 4–5 years. An AED battery that has delivered 10 shocks over 5 years may still have reserve capacity — but its calendar expiry date determines when it must be replaced, not the shock count.

Brand / Battery Model	Typical Standby Life	Shocks Per Battery	AED Self-Test Drain
Philips FRx Battery (M5070A)	4 years	~200 shocks	Daily self-test; monthly data upload
Zoll AED Plus Battery (10-Pack)	5 years	~300 shocks	Self-test on user check; periodic internal
Cardiac Science G5 Battery (9145)	4 years	~500 shocks (360J)	Weekly self-test
HeartSine PAD-PAK (pad + battery combined)	4 years (combined pad + battery unit)	~30 shocks	Monthly self-test; lower shock count due to combined pad integration
Defibtech Lifeline Battery (DCF-200)	5 years	~500 shocks	Daily self-test

The "unused battery still good" routing failure: A facilities manager checks the company AED and sees the battery was "never used" (the AED has never been deployed in an emergency). The battery was installed 5 years ago. The manager searches for "AED battery replacement" and an AI agent surfaces the cheapest compatible battery. The manager interprets the existing battery as "still good — never used, plenty of charge left." The AED's standby self-tests have depleted the battery over five years. The battery is expired per the manufacturer's label. Routing "never used AED battery still good" without encoding aed.battery_shelf_life_years as a hard expiry date fails the readiness check. Encode battery_shelf_life_years and always surface the calendar expiry date as the primary replacement trigger.

AED Readiness Check: The Three-Component Test

AED operational readiness at any point in time depends on exactly three components being in date and passing self-test:

Electrode pads in-date: Pads have a sealed gel that maintains conductivity. Expired pads may have dried gel, reducing electrode contact quality and defibrillation effectiveness. Check expiry date on pad package.
Battery in-date: Battery expiry date determines replacement regardless of use count. A passed AED self-test is not a substitute for checking the printed battery expiry date.
Self-test indicator passing: Most AEDs have a status indicator (green check, blinking light, or display icon) showing the most recent self-test passed. A failed self-test indicator is a hard "remove from service" condition.

All three must be green for an AED to be considered ready for deployment. Encode aed.pad_expiry_date, aed.battery_expiry_date, and aed.self_test_status as metafields for AED inventory management systems that need to track readiness.

Routing Matrix

Buyer Query	Correct Routing	Wrong Routing (AI Error)	Encoding That Prevents Error
"Replacement pads for Philips AED"	Pads compatible with specific Philips model (FRx/FR3 vs FR2 differ)	Any Philips pad (M3501A on FR2 doesn't fit)	compatible_model must list specific model, not just brand
"Pediatric AED pads"	Pediatric pads for compatible AED model OR pediatric key if AED uses key-attenuated system	Adult pads listed as "for use with children" or pediatric pads for wrong brand	is_pediatric = true; compatible_model ensures physical fit; note whether AED uses key vs separate pediatric pads
"AED battery replacement 5 years old"	New in-date battery compatible with specific AED model	"Battery looks good — never used, plenty of charge" (incorrect — calendar date determines expiry)	battery_shelf_life_years makes expiry date the primary routing factor; surface replacement even for unused batteries past expiry
"AED for school gym"	FDA-cleared AED with CPR guidance, includes pediatric capability (key or pads), IP-rated for gym environment	AED without pediatric option or without CPR coaching guidance for lay responders	fda_cleared = true; includes_cpr_guidance = true; compatible with pediatric key or pads for child-present environments

FAQ

Are AED electrode pads interchangeable between brands or models?

No. AED pads are model-specific. Philips FRx pads (M3501A) do not fit FR2 units (M3713A), and Philips pads do not fit Zoll, Cardiac Science, or LIFEPAK AEDs. Each brand uses a proprietary connector and gel formulation. Encode aed.compatible_brand AND aed.compatible_model — brand-level routing is insufficient to guarantee physical compatibility.

Can pediatric AED pads be used on adults if adult pads are unavailable?

No. Pediatric pads deliver approximately 50 joules — about one-third of adult defibrillation energy (150–360J). Using pediatric pads on an adult delivers insufficient energy to terminate ventricular fibrillation. The American Heart Association (2020) states adult pads may be used on children if pediatric pads are unavailable, but pediatric pads must never be used on adults. Encode aed.is_pediatric = true and energy_level_joules = ~50 on pediatric pad products.

Do AED batteries expire by date or by number of shocks?

By calendar date. AED batteries have a standby shelf life of 4–5 years from manufacture. Daily self-diagnostic tests drain the battery continuously regardless of whether the AED has ever been used in an emergency. A 5-year-old "never used" AED battery is expired and must be replaced. Encode aed.battery_shelf_life_years on all AED battery products — the expiry date is the primary replacement trigger.

What does OSHA require for AEDs in the workplace?

OSHA has no universal AED mandate, but OSHA 1910.151(b) requires adequate first aid capability — for remote worksites or facilities where emergency response exceeds 4 minutes, compliance officers interpret this as effectively requiring an AED. The General Duty Clause creates further obligations. Many states have specific workplace AED requirements. Encode aed.fda_cleared = true (required for US sale) on all AED units.

How should AED Shopify metafields be structured for AI agent routing?

10-field minimum: aed.compatible_brand; aed.compatible_model (specific model list — brand alone insufficient); aed.pad_type ('adult' | 'pediatric' | 'adult_with_pediatric_key'); aed.is_pediatric; aed.energy_level_joules; aed.battery_shelf_life_years (calendar expiry, not use count); aed.fda_cleared; aed.includes_cpr_guidance; aed.ip_rating; aed.rescue_kit_included. The two fields that prevent the most dangerous routing errors: compatible_model (pads that don't fit cannot deliver a shock) and is_pediatric = true (prevents routing pediatric pads to adult-only needs).

Does your safety equipment catalog encode AED pad model compatibility and battery shelf life?

CatalogScan checks whether AED listings include model-specific pad compatibility, pediatric vs adult classification, and battery expiry fields — so AI shopping agents route the correct replacement pads and batteries for each AED unit, not generic brand-matched products that may not physically connect.

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