Buying an automated external defibrillator (AED) is the easy part.

The real work is choosing the right device, putting it in the right place, keeping pads and batteries in date, and making sure your team know it is there and how it fits into your emergency plans. A managed AED service takes that off your plate and gives you a clear, documented story you can stand behind.

When should a workplace consider an AED?

There is no rule that every workplace must have an AED, but AEDs are increasingly expected in larger or higher‑risk environments as part of a sensible first aid and emergency response plan.

You should at least consider an AED if:

• You have a large number of staff on site, or high footfall from the public.
• Your workforce includes older staff or people with known cardiac risk factors.
• Work is physically demanding, shift‑based or carried out in remote locations.
• You operate venues or workplaces where delays in emergency services reaching you are likely.

An AED does not replace CPR or trained first aiders, but it significantly improves the chances of survival in a cardiac arrest when used quickly and correctly.

Why “managed” AED provision is different

Treating an AED like a one‑off equipment purchase is a common mistake. To be reliable, an AED needs:

• Regular visual checks to confirm it is powered, ready and has not been damaged.
• Pads and batteries replaced before their expiry dates or immediately after use.
• Clear placement and signage so staff and visitors can find it quickly under pressure.
• Integration with your first aid training and emergency plans, so people know who retrieves it, who uses it and how the rest of the response works.

A managed AED service wraps all of that into a defined schedule with written records, rather than leaving it to best intentions.

What our managed AED service includes

We design AED provision around your risks, workforce and sites, not just a catalogue page. A typical managed service includes:

1. Assessment and device selection

• Review of your workplaces, headcount, layout and existing first aid arrangements.
• Guidance on whether an AED is proportionate and, if so, how many you need and where they should go.
• Help choosing a suitable AED model, taking into account ease of use, running costs and any specific environmental considerations.

2. Supply, installation and signage

• Supply of AED units with wall‑mount brackets and standard signage.
• Sensible placement so the device is accessible, visible and protected from avoidable damage.
• Clear labelling of AED locations on your site plans and staff information.

3. Scheduled checks, pads and batteries

• Regular checks to confirm status indicators show the AED is ready for use.
• Replacement of pads and batteries before their expiry dates or immediately after use.
• A simple record of each check and any replacements, suitable for your compliance files.

4. Staff familiarisation and integration

• Short familiarisation sessions so staff understand where the AED is, when to use it and what to expect from its prompts.
• Advice on how to reflect the AED in your first aid needs assessment, emergency procedures and training plan.

Linking AEDs to first aid kits and training

An AED is most effective when it is part of a joined‑up approach, not an isolated bit of kit on the wall.

We can help you:

• Align AED locations with your workplace first aid kits and first aiders.
• Build CPR and AED training into your workplace first aid courses so staff are confident using the device.
• Make sure your paperwork – needs assessment, risk assessments, emergency plans and training records – all reference the AED appropriately.

This gives you a consistent story: you have assessed the risk, put proportionate measures in place, and equipped people to act.

Who our managed AED service is for

This service is a good fit if you:

• Are considering buying your first AED and want to do it properly.
• Already have an AED but are not sure if pads, batteries and checks are fully under control.
• Manage first aid across several sites and want a single, consistent approach.
• Need clear evidence for clients, insurers or internal governance that your AEDs are maintained and integrated into your first aid provision.

If you recognise any of these, it is usually safer to move to a managed model than to rely on ad‑hoc checks and memory.

Next steps

If you’d like to explore managed AED provision for your workplace:

• Share a brief summary of your sites, staff numbers and current first aid arrangements.
• Tell us whether you already have AEDs in place, or are starting from scratch.
• Let us know any specific deadlines – for example, upcoming audits, tenders or openings.

We’ll come back with a clear, practical recommendation on whether AEDs are proportionate for your workplaces and, if so, what a managed service could look like.