How to Choose the Best Outdoor Defibrillator Cabinet

There are approximately 115,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in the UK each year. 

Having access to a defibrillator (AED) can be the difference between life and death. Studies have shown that early defibrillation within 3–5 minutes of collapse can increase survival rates by as much as 50-70%. 

Many cardiac arrests happen outdoors in public spaces, from high streets to local parks, which means having access to an AED 24/7 is vital.   

If your defibrillator is situated outdoors, it is essential that your life-saving equipment is fully protected from the elements and ready for use should a cardiac arrest happen. 

At Defib World, we are committed to making this equipment available to everyone, and our outdoor defibrillator cabinet prices start from £450. 

In this guide, we will look at why an outdoor defibrillator cabinet is vital for ensuring your AED remains reliable all year round. We will also cover the most important features to look for when choosing an outdoor cabinet, from cabinet heating that prevents battery failure to integrated lighting that makes your cabinet visible at night.

Key Features to Look for in an Outdoor Defibrillator Cabinet

When comparing outdoor defibrillator cabinets, it is useful to consider and compare the following features.

Heating – Protecting Defibrillator Batteries and Pads

All outdoor defibrillator cabinets require some form of heating or insulation in order to maintain a consistent temperature inside the cabinet. Cold weather can cause defibrillator batteries to drain quickly or even fail, but heated cabinets protect batteries, ensuring they function properly. Defibrillator pads are also sensitive to cold weather. If defibrillator pads are exposed to extreme cold, the conductive gel on the pads can freeze, rendering them ineffective during a life-saving emergency. 

Weatherproofing & IP Ratings

When choosing an outdoor cabinet, you should look for a cabinet with a high ingress protection (IP) rating to ensure that your AED is fully protected from the weather. At Defib World, we have outdoor defibrillator cabinets with IP66 ratings, which offer superior protection against harsh weather conditions. 

Visibility and Lighting

It is essential to make your outdoor AED easy to find, and a great way to do that is by choosing a high-visibility cabinet with integrated lighting. Every second counts in the event of a cardiac arrest. If a cardiac arrest happens at night or in a low-lit area, an illuminated AED cabinet is much easier to find and ensures your AED is visible throughout the day and night. 

Security and Ease of Access

When choosing an outdoor defibrillator cabinet, whether you require a lock will depend on where you intend to locate your cabinet. If your outdoor AED is at risk of theft or vandalism, then we would highly recommend a locked cabinet. However, if your cabinet is to be placed in a secure area, you might opt for an unlocked cabinet. The main benefit of unlocked cabinets is that they provide instant access with no need for a code, saving precious time in the event of an emergency.

Lockable Outdoor Defibrillator Cabinets

DefibCaddy External Locked Defibrillator Cabinet

The DefibCaddy External Locked Defibrillator Cabinet is a spacious cabinet with the ability to house any model of defibrillator (including your AED carry case). This lockable cabinet benefits from LED lighting, making your cabinet easier to find, and an internal heater, which keeps your AED fully functional, even in extreme cold weather. The large viewing window allows you to check the status of your AED at any time, and the high-quality Borg lock protects your defibrillator from theft and vandalism. Manufactured in the UK using double-skinned polyethylene, this heated defibrillator cabinet is insulated, weatherproof, and comes with a 10-year structural warranty.

DefibSafe 2 External Locked Defibrillator Cabinet

The DefibSafe 2 External Locked Defibrillator Cabinet is a premium cabinet ideal for harsh outdoor environments. This lockable IP66-rated defibrillator cabinet features a robust polycarbonate door and is both dust-tight and fully waterproof. It is big enough to accommodate any make or model of AED, and features LED lighting to ensure visibility at night or in low-light conditions. The DefibSafe 2 is a mains-powered cabinet, designed and manufactured in the UK. It features a stainless steel lock to prevent unauthorised access, and we also offer an unlocked version of this cabinet.

DefibCaddy External Unlocked Defibrillator Cabinet

The DefibCaddy External Unlocked Defibrillator Cabinet is a high-quality, affordable cabinet that will protect your life-saving equipment in all weathers. The benefit of this type of unlocked cabinet is the reduced complexity in the event of an emergency. With an unlocked defibrillator cabinet, you can open the door and retrieve your AED immediately, whereas with a locked cabinet, you must first phone emergency services to obtain the door locking code before you access your defibrillator. This risks a delay in providing treatment to the patient and might add more pressure to bystanders who might already be feeling under pressure in the emergency situation.

DefibSafe 2 External Unlocked Defibrillator Cabinet

The DefibSafe 2 External Unlocked Defibrillator Cabinet is a premium AED cabinet designed to a high specification, featuring a polycarbonate door. This defibrillator cabinet is IP66 rated for dust and water protection, providing superior protection against harsh weather conditions and features LED lighting for increased visibility. The DefibSafe 2 unlocked cabinet also features an internal thermostatically controlled heating system, which prevents internal freezing, while an air circulation fan reduces condensation. We also offer a locked version of this defibrillator cabinet. 

How We Can Help

If you would like to buy an outdoor defibrillator cabinet, we have a wide range of defibrillator cabinets that you can order online straight away. Alternatively, if you need help choosing a defibrillator cabinet, please call us on 0330 223 6336 or email sales@defibworld.org, and we will help you find the best defibrillator cabinet to suit both your needs and your budget.

Did you know we also stock a wide range of defibrillators and consumables, and offer discounted defibrillators on our Sale page? 

In addition to defibrillators, we also sell a wide range of first aid supplies, including training equipment. If you would like to buy items in multiples, we can offer special prices. Please email sales@defibworld.org and ask for our best possible bulk prices.