LIFEPAK CR Plus Pads & Battery Sets Back in Stock: What Existing AED Owners Need to Know
If you own a LIFEPAK CR Plus or LIFEPAK EXPRESS defibrillator, recent news surrounding pads and batteries may have caused understandable concern. Following Stryker’s confirmation that production of Charge-Pak batteries and Quik-Pak electrode pads would cease in February 2026, many organisations believed replacement consumables would soon become impossible to source.
However, Seal Medical has recently secured a limited shipment of LIFEPAK CR Plus pads and battery sets, giving existing AED owners another opportunity to maintain their devices while stock remains available.
With uncertainty still surrounding long-term availability, many organisations are now reviewing their options and planning ahead to ensure their defibrillators remain emergency-ready.
The Background: Why These Devices Were Discontinued
On 1 April 2019, Stryker discontinued sales of the LIFEPAK CR Plus and LIFEPAK EXPRESS in CE mark countries, including the UK. The decision allowed the company to focus on newer defibrillator technology, particularly the LIFEPAK CR2.
At the time, Stryker confirmed that devices already in the field would continue to receive support throughout their warranty periods - eight years for the CR Plus and five years for the EXPRESS.
Although the devices themselves remained widely used and trusted, ongoing global supply chain pressures and difficulties sourcing older components have increasingly affected the availability of consumables required to keep them operational.
What Changed in 2026?
In December 2025, Stryker issued official customer communications confirming that Quik-Pak electrodes and Charge-Pak battery chargers would be completely discontinued from February 2026 onwards.
This announcement created significant concern for organisations still relying on LIFEPAK CR Plus and EXPRESS devices, particularly as these consumables are essential for the defibrillators to function correctly.
Without valid pads and a functioning battery system, the device cannot deliver therapy in an emergency, regardless of its overall condition.
Limited Stock Recently Received
After months of uncertainty surrounding availability, Seal Medical has now received a small shipment of LIFEPAK CR Plus pads and battery sets.
While this is welcome news for many existing device owners, availability across the wider market remains extremely limited and future stock cannot be guaranteed following the cessation of production.
For organisations still actively using LIFEPAK CR Plus or EXPRESS defibrillators, this may provide an important opportunity to secure replacement consumables before supplies become increasingly difficult to source.
Which Devices Are Affected?
Both the LIFEPAK CR Plus and LIFEPAK EXPRESS are affected because they rely on the same Charge-Pak battery chargers and Quik-Pak electrode pads.
Although the defibrillators themselves may still appear to function normally, consumables have a limited lifespan and must be replaced before expiry or immediately after use during a cardiac emergency.
Without replacement pads and batteries, these devices cannot remain operational long term.
Who Should Consider Ordering Replacement Consumables?
You should consider ordering replacement pads and batteries if:
- Your current pads or battery are approaching expiry
- Your AED remains in active service
- Your organisation relies on the device for workplace or public-access compliance
- You want to extend the usable life of your existing LIFEPAK CR Plus or EXPRESS defibrillator
- You wish to avoid future supply shortages or unexpected downtime
Because supplies are now limited globally, waiting until consumables expire may significantly reduce available options.
What Happens If Your Device Is Out of Warranty?
Warranty status is now increasingly important. Stryker has confirmed that out-of-warranty LIFEPAK CR Plus and EXPRESS devices are no longer supported for repairs should faults develop.
While many older devices may still appear fully functional, unsupported equipment cannot always be relied upon with the same level of confidence, particularly in emergency situations where reliability is critical.
For many organisations, this has prompted wider discussions around future replacement planning and long-term AED readiness.
“But My Defibrillator Still Works…”
This remains one of the most common and understandable reactions from existing owners.
Defibrillators are designed to remain unused for long periods, which means devices often appear to be in excellent condition even after many years in service. However, electrode pads expire and batteries gradually lose effectiveness over time.
Once consumables are no longer available, expired pads cannot be replaced and depleted batteries cannot be renewed. At that point, even a physically intact AED may no longer provide dependable emergency support.
How Long Do Pads & Batteries Last?
Charge-Pak batteries and Quik-Pak electrode pads typically carry a shelf life of approximately two years. They must be replaced when they expire or immediately following use during an emergency.
Additionally, Stryker has confirmed that warranty support on newly purchased consumables will only apply for ninety days from the purchase date.
For this reason, organisations should regularly check expiry dates and ensure replacement supplies are sourced well in advance where possible.
Why Planning Ahead Matters
Cardiac emergencies happen without warning, and defibrillators must be ready to perform immediately when needed.
For organisations currently relying on LIFEPAK CR Plus or EXPRESS devices, now is the time to review:
- Pad and battery expiry dates
- Device warranty status
- Long-term replacement planning
- Availability of future consumables
Securing replacement pads and batteries now may help extend the operational life of existing devices while allowing additional time to plan future upgrades responsibly.
At Seal Medical, we understand that every organisation’s requirements and budgets are different. Alongside replacement consumables, we also offer a wide range of defibrillator options, including carefully tested pre-owned units and brand-new semi-automatic and fully automatic models.
For organisations considering future replacement devices, the IPAD SP1 AED Semi-Automatic Defibrillator remains a popular and user-friendly option. Designed for ease of use in high-pressure situations, it can be used for both adults and children without changing pads. The package includes a carry case, one set of electrode pads and an AED rescue kit, providing everything needed to get started immediately.
The IPAD SP1 AED Semi-Automatic Defibrillator is currently available for £999 + VAT.
If you would like to explore our available ranges, you can browse:
Because when it comes to cardiac emergencies, preparedness is never wasted — it’s priceless.