WARNING – If you are about to purchase a defibrillator (AED) please read.
Should you be approached, our strong advice is to never purchase a second-hand defibrillator unless you have the original certificate of purchase and full history of its use and previous owner’s details, which can then be verified and has not been reported on a lost or stolen list.
Sadly there have recently been reported thefts of AEDs from unlocked and locked cabinets and it can only be assumed that these despicable people who show no regard or value of other people’s lives believe a stolen device has some monetary value.
A second-hand defibrillator (AED) has NO monetary value. Each defibrillator has a serial number and can always be traced. AED’s need constant daily/weekly checking and monitoring – without such monitored governance they may not operate correctly or at all if required to be used at the time of an emergency.
If anyone approaches you selling or advertising an AED – treat the offer with great caution - you may be wasting your money. More importantly, putting a life at risk. If you can, report it to your local police or ambulance service or AED Locator on 01275 332323 or post@aedlocator.co.uk.
We are providing you with this information to protect you and others and to ensure everything possible is done to avoid the risk of an unnecessary death. If we can kill the demand for any stolen defibrillators, then we will be saving lives.
REMEMBER.. if it is cheap and looks a bargain then it is most likely STOLEN. The AED’s serial number is logged, it can be traced and may not work when you require it.