It sounds like they need to recall all of these devices....or have their service reps go inspect them all....

Yes, these should be recalled. Zoll does not have a field service organization.

Yes - did you know that these highly critical medical devices, designed to save lives, use off-the-shelf batteries you can buy at a local grocery store? How can that be? SEems to be no control over how good those batteries are.

Zoll's "off-the-shelf" batteries are the SAME batteries used by AED manufacturers Philips, Defibtech and Welch-Allyn. Zoll chooses to make the batteries conveniently replaceable by the consumer from any retail store at a very low cost. The other manufacturers use the same battery but package them in a "battery pack" that can only be bought from the manufacturer at a much higher price.

In addition, the Zoll battery configuration has 10 batteries, but the unit only uses 5 thereby having a battery redundancy no other AED has.

The solution in this situation is a simple 5 minute process that can be done on-site by the AED owner. That's less time and effort than it would take them to pack the unit up and ship it back.

All AED manufacturers have had some kind of "recall" or "Field Corrective Action". The occasional problems, while tragic in their individual cases, still do not come close in magnitude to the benefit they have provided in saving hundreds (if not thousands) from sudden cardiac death over the years. Just ask the survivors and their families.

Quote from Elliot Fisch:

"Zoll's 'off-the-shelf' batteries are the SAME batteries used by AED manufacturers Philips, Defibtech and Welch-Allyn. Zoll chooses to make the batteries conveniently replaceable by the consumer from any retail store at a very low cost. The other manufacturers use the same battery but package them in a "battery pack" that can only be bought from the manufacturer at a much higher price."

A significant difference and value is that other AED manufacturers have warranties for their proprietary battery packs ranging from 1-5 years (depending on the AED). The camera batteries used in Zoll AEDs have <1 year warranties from the battery manufacturer (i.e. Duracell).

Per Zoll's technical specifications:
Battery Capacity: Typical new (20°C) = 5 years (300
shocks) or 13 hours continuous monitoring. End of life designated by Red X (typical remaining shocks = 100, 5 hours continuous monitoring).

Per Zoll's Indemnification Agreement:

This indemnification does not extend to or cover...the failure of any batteries...

Per Zoll's US Warranty:

This warranty does not cover items subject to normal wear and burnout during use, including but not limited to lamps, fuses, batteries, patient cables and accessories.

Looks like the ZOLL sales rep is trying hard to save face on here.