How to use the iPAD SP1 Defibrillator

How-To Guides
Written By Elwyn Davies

The iPAD SP1 is a fully-automatic defibrillator designed for public and workplace use. It delivers clear voice prompts and visual indicators to guide rescuers through each step of a cardiac emergency.

Unlike manual models, the SP1 analyses the casualty’s heart rhythm and automatically delivers a shock if needed. This reduces hesitation and ensures that even untrained bystanders can provide rapid treatment.

The device is widely used across the UK in community access schemes, offices, schools, and transport hubs. Its design combines robust build quality with features such as ambient noise detection, child mode, and real-time CPR support. The focus is on making defibrillation accessible and reliable in high-stress situations.

Design and Key Features

The iPAD SP1 has been developed with simplicity and reliability at its core. Its design enables both trained responders and untrained bystanders to act quickly in a cardiac emergency. Key features include:

Fully-Automatic Operation
The SP1 analyses the casualty’s heart rhythm and delivers a shock automatically if required. This avoids hesitation and removes the need for the rescuer to press a button.

SMART Dual Electrode Pads
One set of pads can be used for both adults and children. Switching to child mode lowers the shock energy without needing to change pads. This is particularly useful in schools, childcare facilities, and public venues.

Ambient Noise Detection
The device monitors background sound levels and automatically adjusts the volume of its voice prompts. This ensures instructions remain clear even in noisy environments such as train stations or factories.

CPR Metronome Guidance
The SP1 provides an audible metronome to guide the rescuer in delivering chest compressions at the correct rate. This feature supports high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Rugged Construction
With an IP55 rating, the device is protected against dust and water jets. Its robust casing makes it suitable for both indoor and outdoor locations.

Self-Test and Status Indicators
The SP1 performs regular self-tests to ensure readiness. A clear visual indicator shows whether the device is operational. Maintenance requirements are minimal, limited to replacing pads and batteries before their expiry dates.

Data Recording and Connectivity
An SD card slot allows retrieval of event data for review by medical professionals. This can support post-event analysis and compliance with local reporting requirements.

Step-by-Step Operating Procedure

The iPAD SP1 is designed to be straightforward to use in an emergency. The following sequence outlines how it operates:

1. Preparation
Switch on the device by lifting the lid. The SP1 will immediately begin giving voice and visual instructions. Ensure the casualty’s chest is bare and dry before applying the pads.

2. Pad Placement
Peel the backing from the electrode pads and place them as shown on the diagrams. One pad goes on the upper right side of the chest, just below the collarbone. The other pad is positioned on the lower left side of the chest, beneath the armpit area.

3. Automatic Analysis
Once the pads are in place, the SP1 will check the heart rhythm. During this time, rescuers must not touch the casualty. The device will clearly announce the analysis stage.

4. Shock Delivery
If a shock is required, the SP1 will deliver it automatically without user intervention. If no shock is needed, it will instruct the rescuer to begin CPR.

5. CPR Guidance
The device provides a metronome sound to guide chest compressions at the correct rate. Rescuers should follow the rhythm and continue until instructed to stop.

6. Re-Analysis
The SP1 will periodically reassess the heart rhythm. If another shock is required, it will deliver it automatically. Otherwise, CPR should be resumed.

7. Handover to Emergency Services
Continue to follow the prompts until emergency medical services arrive and take over. The SP1 records all treatment data, which can later be accessed by clinicians.

iPAD SP1 Infographic

Maintenance and Readiness

The iPAD SP1 is designed to require minimal upkeep, but regular checks are essential to ensure it is always ready for use.

Built-in Self-Tests
The device performs automatic self-tests at regular intervals. These checks monitor battery status, pad connectivity, and system readiness. A clear status indicator on the front of the unit shows whether the device is operational.

Battery and Pad Replacement
Both the battery and electrode pads have an expiry date. Pads typically last up to two years in storage, while the battery is designed for long life with a high capacity for multiple shocks and self-tests. Replacement should always be carried out before the marked expiry date.

Storage and Environment
The SP1 should be stored in a clean, dry location. Thanks to its IP55 rating, it is resistant to dust and water jets, making it suitable for outdoor cabinets as well as indoor settings. However, it should still be inspected for any physical damage or environmental wear.

Routine Inspections
A simple visual inspection should be carried out regularly—often as part of weekly or monthly first aid checks. This includes confirming the status indicator is showing “ready,” verifying that pads and batteries are within date, and ensuring the device is accessible.

By following these steps, the SP1 remains ready to operate effectively in an emergency without extensive servicing requirements.

Technical Specifications

The iPAD SP1 is built to meet the practical needs of both professional and public access environments. Its technical specifications include:

Dimensions and Weight

  • Approximate size: 26 cm × 25 cm × 7 cm

  • Weight: around 2.4 kg including battery and pads

Shock Energy

  • Adult mode: 150–200 joules biphasic

  • Child mode: reduced energy automatically applied when the switch is set to “Child”

Battery

  • Long-life lithium battery

  • Capable of supporting multiple shocks and repeated self-tests

  • Typical standby life: up to 5 years depending on usage and self-test frequency

Electrode Pads

  • SMART dual-use (adult/child) pads

  • Shelf life: up to 2 years

  • Pre-connected to minimise delays during use

Environmental Protection

  • IP55 rating (protected against dust and water jets)

  • Operating temperature: 0 °C to +43 °C

  • Designed for robustness in public access locations

Data Recording

  • Internal memory records details of each event

  • SD card slot allows data to be transferred for clinical review and audit

Warranty

  • Typically supplied with a manufacturer’s warranty of 5 years (may vary depending on supplier)

These specifications combine durability with features that make the device appropriate for deployment in a wide range of settings, from schools to industrial sites.

Did You Know?

Survival from sudden cardiac arrest decreases by 7–10% for every minute that passes without defibrillation. Early use of a defibrillator, such as the iPAD SP1, can double or even triple survival chances when combined with high-quality CPR.

Another key point is accessibility: studies have shown that having a defibrillator placed within a three-minute reach of where people gather significantly improves survival rates. This is why the iPAD SP1, with its simple fully-automatic design, is commonly selected for community schemes and public venues.

Real-World Observations

In workplaces and public spaces, visibility and accessibility are often just as important as the defibrillator itself. The iPAD SP1 is commonly installed in wall-mounted cabinets, both indoors and outdoors. However, in busy environments such as office corridors or shopping centres, cabinets can sometimes be partially obstructed by furniture, signage, or even fire extinguishers.

Clear positioning with proper signage ensures that the device can be found quickly during an emergency. Some organisations also add illuminated or alarmed cabinets to draw attention when the defibrillator is removed.

Another practical observation is that the dual adult/child mode reduces the need for separate paediatric pads. This feature is particularly valuable in schools and community centres where children are present, as it simplifies stock management and speeds up response.

Conclusion & Practical Recommendations

The iPAD SP1 Fully-Automatic Defibrillator is designed to make defibrillation accessible in any environment. Its fully-automatic shock delivery, dual-use pads, and clear step-by-step prompts mean that even untrained bystanders can act effectively during a cardiac emergency. Features such as ambient noise detection and CPR metronome guidance further support users under stressful conditions.

To ensure the device is effective when needed, organisations should:

  • Position strategically: Place the defibrillator in a clearly visible and accessible location, with signage that directs people to it quickly.

  • Check regularly: Carry out routine visual inspections, confirming that the status indicator is green and that pads and batteries are within their expiry dates.

  • Integrate into emergency planning: Include the SP1 in first aid drills and make staff aware of its location and basic operation.

By following these practical steps, workplaces and communities can maximise the readiness of the iPAD SP1 and ensure rapid treatment is available should sudden cardiac arrest occur.

Sources

  1. iPAD SP1 Brochure (CU‑Medical)

    • PDF with full technical specifications: weight (2.4 kg), dimensions (260 × 256 × 69.5 mm), ambient noise detection, CPR metronome, data memory (5 events, 3 hours), SD‑card download, warranty (7 years plus optional 10)
      gimaitaly.com+15defibstore.co.uk+15Seal Medical+15

  2. BHF Product Page (British Heart Foundation)

  3. St John Ambulance Product Page

  4. First Aid Show Blog (March 2025)

  5. Medisol International Listing

  6. DefibStore Brochure (PDF)

Source Authority and Usefulness

  • CU-Medical / DefibStore / GIMA: Manufacturer materials and technical brochures provide authoritative, precise specifications.

  • British Heart Foundation (BHF): Trusted and widely recognised for endorsing public-access defibrillators in the UK.

  • St John Ambulance: Established UK charity with reliable product information and usage context.

  • First Aid Show: Up-to-date (March 2025) content offering clear user-oriented features and operational benefits.

  • Medisol: Adds verification for warranty, connectivity, and user interface features.

Elwyn Davies
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