Why You Should Rent a Defibrillator?

Access to an AED within minutes can dramatically increase survival chances. Yet, for many organisations, the upfront cost of buying one, often £800 or more, can be a major barrier.

Defibrillator rental offers an affordable alternative. For just £1 per day, organisations of all sizes can have immediate access to an AED without the financial burden of purchase. This daily rate makes it possible to budget predictably while ensuring staff, visitors, or community members are protected.

Did you know? According to the British Heart Foundation, more than 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in the UK each year, but survival rates can be as high as 70% if a defibrillator is used promptly. Making AEDs more affordable through rental helps more workplaces and communities be prepared.

What Defibrillator Rental Means

Defibrillator rental is a simple arrangement where you pay a fixed daily fee to have an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) on site, without the need to buy it outright. The provider supplies the device, ensures it is maintained, and replaces key parts such as pads and batteries when needed.

Organisations benefit from:

  • Immediate access - no large upfront cost to secure an AED.

  • Ongoing maintenance - regular checks and updates are included.

  • Consumables covered - pads and batteries are replaced when expired or after use.

  • Replacement guarantee - if the AED is used or develops a fault, it is swapped quickly.

Rental periods can be short-term, such as for events or temporary projects, or long-term for permanent workplaces and community facilities. In every case, the renter has the reassurance that the AED remains ready for use at all times.

Affordability: Why £1 a Day Makes Sense

Purchasing an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) typically costs between £800 and £1,500, depending on the model. In addition, replacement pads, batteries, and servicing can add several hundred pounds more over the device’s lifespan. For many small businesses, schools, and charities, this upfront investment is difficult to manage.

Rental changes the calculation:

  • No large upfront payment - you can spread the cost into manageable daily amounts.

  • Predictable budgeting - the same fixed cost each day avoids unexpected expenses.

  • Accessible to all - even smaller organisations with tight budgets can provide a defibrillator.

  • Value compared to purchase - over a year, rental costs less than many organisations spend on other routine safety measures, such as fire extinguishers or first aid kits.

By removing the need for a one-off lump sum, renting makes it realistic for more workplaces and communities to meet safety responsibilities without financial strain.

Did you know? Research from the Resuscitation Council UK shows that survival from sudden cardiac arrest decreases by 10% for every minute without defibrillation. Affordable rental options increase the likelihood of an AED being available where it is most needed.

What’s Included in the Price

Defibrillator rental from Defib Space provides a fully inclusive package designed for simplicity, reliability, and compliance. Rather than just supplying the device, the rental covers everything needed to keep an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) ready for immediate use.

Our packages include:

  • Automatic defibrillator unit - easy-to-use AEDs with clear voice prompts and automatic shock delivery, designed so that no prior training is required.

  • Electrode pads and batteries - supplied and replaced before expiry or immediately after use.

  • Servicing and maintenance - regular checks, software updates, and readiness testing are all covered.

  • Replacement cover - if the unit develops a fault or is deployed in an emergency, a replacement is provided quickly at no extra cost.

  • Compliance assurance - all devices meet UK safety and regulatory standards, including Resuscitation Council UK and MHRA guidance.

By including equipment, consumables, and maintenance in a single daily fee, Defib Space ensures organisations can access reliable AEDs without hidden costs or administrative burden.

Did you know?
Sudden cardiac arrest is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Having a working defibrillator within reach can more than double the chance of survival - which is why affordability and guaranteed readiness are so important.

Flexibility of Rental

Defibrillator rental at £1 per day is designed to fit the needs of different organisations, whether the requirement is temporary or long term. Unlike outright purchase, rental allows you to scale up or adjust your arrangements without major financial commitment.

Examples of flexible use include:

  • Short-term cover - ideal for festivals, sporting events, conferences, or temporary sites such as construction projects.

  • Seasonal needs - businesses operating at certain times of year, such as holiday parks or pop-up venues, can rent an AED only when required.

  • Long-term workplace safety - offices, schools, and community centres can secure permanent access to a defibrillator with predictable daily costs.

  • Upgrades when needed - rental makes it simple to switch to newer AED models without the sunk cost of ownership.

This flexibility ensures that more people have access to defibrillators in locations where they may be urgently needed.

A real-world observation: sports clubs often move between rented halls, community fields, and shared venues. AED rental means they can provide protection wherever activities take place, without the risk of leaving vital equipment behind.

Who Benefits Most from Renting

Defibrillator rental is suitable for a wide range of organisations and settings. It makes access to Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) practical for groups that might not otherwise be able to justify the upfront expense of purchase.

Those who benefit most include:

  • Workplaces - small and medium-sized businesses, offices, and construction sites can meet health and safety needs without large upfront investment.

  • Community spaces - schools, charities, libraries, and village halls gain access to an AED without the burden of ownership costs.

  • Sports and leisure facilities - gyms, fitness centres, and clubs can provide protection where the risk of sudden cardiac arrest is higher during physical activity.

  • Event organisers - festivals, conferences, and sporting fixtures can ensure temporary on-site cover for staff and attendees.

  • Seasonal or temporary operations - holiday parks, pop-ups, and fairs can protect staff and visitors only for the period they are open.

Did you know? The British Heart Foundation reports that around 80% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen at home or in public places. Making AEDs more accessible through rental helps ensure that lifesaving equipment is on hand in everyday settings.

Rental vs Purchase: Which Is Better Value?

The choice between renting and purchasing a defibrillator depends on budget, usage, and long-term plans. Both options have advantages, but for many organisations, rental at £1 per day is the more practical route.

When Renting Makes Sense

  • Lower upfront cost - no need to pay £800–£1,500 for a device outright.

  • Inclusive cover - batteries, pads, servicing, and replacements are built into the daily fee.

  • Short-term or uncertain needs - perfect for temporary sites, events, or organisations trialling an AED before committing to ownership.

  • Up-to-date technology - easy to upgrade to the latest models as part of a rental plan.

When Purchasing May Be Better

  • Permanent requirement - if the AED will be used in the same location for many years, buying can eventually work out cheaper.

  • Larger organisations - companies with higher budgets may prefer to own equipment outright.

In practice, many businesses and community groups find rental to be the most cost-effective solution, especially once the additional costs of pads, batteries, and servicing are factored into ownership.

A practical observation: some workplaces buy a defibrillator but forget to budget for consumable replacements. When pads expire or the battery runs flat, the AED may be unusable. Rental avoids this risk by keeping everything covered in a single daily cost.

Conclusion

Having quick access to a defibrillator can mean the difference between life and death during sudden cardiac arrest. Yet for many organisations, the cost of buying an AED outright creates a barrier.

Defib Space’s £1 per day rental packages make defibrillators affordable, reliable, and simple to manage. With all servicing, consumables, and replacements included, rental ensures the device is always ready to use without hidden costs or administrative burden.

Whether for workplaces, schools, sports clubs, community venues, or temporary events, renting provides the flexibility to protect people when and where it matters most. By choosing rental, you ensure that vital emergency equipment is always within reach - without the financial strain of ownership.

Did you know? If defibrillation is delivered within 3-5 minutes of cardiac arrest, survival rates can be as high as 50–70% (Resuscitation Council UK). Affordable access through rental helps more communities achieve this outcome.

FAQs

What happens if the defibrillator is used?
If the AED is deployed in a real emergency, the rental provider replaces pads, batteries, and restores the device at no extra cost.

Is training needed to use a rental AED?
No formal training is required. Rental AEDs are fully automatic and provide clear voice prompts to guide the user step by step. Training can still be arranged for staff who want additional confidence.

Can I cancel the rental early?
Most providers offer flexible terms, allowing you to cancel or adjust your agreement if circumstances change. Always check contract details before signing.

Are consumables like pads and batteries included in the £1 per day fee?
Yes. Replacement of all consumables is included, whether due to expiry or after use.

Can I rent a defibrillator for just a short period?
Yes. Rental agreements can be tailored for short-term needs such as events, festivals, or temporary worksites, as well as for long-term placement in workplaces and community facilities.

Sources

  1. Resuscitation Council UK – Defibrillation
    Explains how survival chance falls by ~10% per minute without defibrillation.
    https://www.resus.org.uk/public-resources/defibrillation

  2. Resuscitation Council UK – “Make defibs accessible 24/7”
    Provides data such as survival rates reaching 50–70% when defibrillation occurs within 3–5 minutes.
    https://www.resus.org.uk/about-us/news-and-events/make-defibs-accessible-247-help-increase-survival-rates-across-uk-say

  3. British Heart Foundation – Facts and Figures
    Supplies statistics on UK out-of-hospital cardiac arrests and survival rates (<1 in 10).
    https://www.bhf.org.uk/what-we-do/news-from-the-bhf/contact-the-press-office/facts-and-figures

  4. Resuscitation Council UK – Epidemiology of Cardiac Arrest Guidelines
    Details incidence, bystander CPR rates, and public access defibrillator usage in the UK.
    https://www.resus.org.uk/library/2021-resuscitation-guidelines/epidemiology-cardiac-arrest-guidelines

  5. British Heart Foundation – Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrests
    Confirms that more than 30,000 OHCAs occur annually in the UK with low survival rates, and notes that early CPR and defibrillation double survival odds.
    https://www.bhf.org.uk/what-we-do/policy-and-public-affairs/transforming-healthcare/out-of-hospital-cardiac-arrests

Previous
Previous

Simple Defib Practice Routine To Build Confidence in School Staff

Next
Next

Why Termly AED and CPR Refreshers Matter