Laerdal suction unit maintenance checklist for emergency readiness
A Laerdal suction unit should be managed as readiness-critical medical equipment, not as an item that can sit unchecked in a storage room. A practical routine is straightforward: after each use, switch the unit off, handle the canister system according to its type, clean the cabinet without allowing liquid into the pump, run the device test, and return the battery to charge. If the unit is used infrequently, the manufacturer also calls for periodic device testing. Because the LSU is supplied with different canister systems, the exact replacement, cleaning and charging instructions can vary by region and configuration. This checklist is intended for maintenance planning. It does not replace the current user guide, biomedical engineering policy or infection prevention procedure for your specific unit. More practical equipment care articles are available in our Maintenance Tips section.
Why maintenance matters for a Laerdal suction unit
The Laerdal suction unit, commonly called the LSU, is a portable, electrically powered suction device used for field and transport airway management. Manufacturer instructions describe it as equipment for intermittent suctioning of secretions, blood or vomit from a patient airway to allow ventilation. That intended use is why readiness checks matter more than appearance. A suction unit can look clean and still be unsafe to deploy if the tubing is kinked, the canister is full, the filter is wet, the battery has aged, or the device has not passed its test sequence.
Several LSU features make routine inspection practical. The operating knob combines on/off control and vacuum selection, with common settings shown as 80, 120, 200, 350 and 500+ mmHg. The unit includes visual indicators for power, vacuum and battery status. Current manufacturer information also describes the LSU as a high-vacuum, high-flow unit, with canister systems that may be reusable, semi-disposable or fully disposable depending on configuration. Maintenance therefore has to confirm three things at the same time: the pump can generate suction, the patient-side pathway is assembled correctly, and the consumable system matches the unit in service.
After-use checklist for routine maintenance
The after-use workflow should be the default maintenance habit. Do not wait until the next shift to find that a suction tube was left twisted, a disposable canister was not replaced, or the battery was never returned to charge.
- Switch off the unit. When suction is complete, set the operating knob or vacuum switch to 0 before handling the device.
- Inspect visible parts. Check for cracked connectors, damaged tubing, excessive wear, poor lid sealing, missing filters, missing float ball components on reusable systems, or contamination around the canister holder.
- Handle the canister system correctly. Replace disposable parts after use where required. Empty or decontaminate reusable parts only according to the applicable Laerdal instructions and local infection control procedure for that canister system.
- Clean the cabinet. Disconnect the unit from external power before cleaning and keep liquid away from the pump and electrical areas.
- Run the device test. The LSU has a user-initiated test program intended to identify occlusion, vacuum build-up, maximum achievable vacuum and air leakage issues.
- Return the unit to charge. Battery maintenance is part of readiness. A suction unit that has been cleaned but not charged is not ready for emergency use.
- Document exceptions. If a test fails, a filter becomes wet, overflow is suspected, or the red failure indicator persists, remove the device from service and escalate according to local policy.
Match maintenance to the canister system
A common maintenance error is treating all LSU canisters the same. Laerdal has published separate user guidance for systems such as Bemis disposable canisters, Serres suction bag systems and reusable canisters. The cabinet may look familiar, but the fluid-contact parts and pump-protection filters are not managed in the same way.
| LSU configuration | Maintenance focus | Key caution |
|---|---|---|
| Bemis disposable canister system | Disposable canister and patient tubing are intended to be replaced after use. The manufacturer describes the canister as single use and warns against reuse. | Replace the canister before it becomes overfilled. Manufacturer guidance recommends replacement when it is about 3/4 full. |
| Serres suction bag system | The suction bag and suction tube are disposable, while the canister and Serres vacuum connector are reusable maintenance items. | If the bag is full or the unit tips and vacuum shuts off, restore readiness by replacing the suction bag and checking assembly. |
| Reusable canister system | The reusable canister, lid, float ball, tubing and aerosol filter require careful cleaning, inspection and correct reassembly. | Do not operate the reusable system without the aerosol filter and float ball. A wet filter should be replaced immediately or as soon as possible after use. |
For reusable systems, the aerosol filter is especially important because it protects the pump from aerosols and fluid contamination. Older Laerdal reusable-system guidance recommends replacing the aerosol filter after each use or at least once every shift, and at least monthly in low cross-contamination situations. Facilities should verify that instruction against the current guide for their exact catalog number and risk environment.
Clean the cabinet without damaging the pump
Cleaning the outer cabinet is not the same as flushing the suction pathway. Manufacturer instructions repeatedly warn against immersing the LSU, allowing it to stand in water, or pumping cleaning solution through the vacuum pump or vacuum connector. Those actions can damage the device and create electrical hazards.
A controlled cabinet-cleaning routine should include three steps. First, disconnect external power. Second, wipe external surfaces with a cloth or sponge dampened with a mild detergent compatible with the device materials and your facility policy. Third, wipe again with a water-dampened cloth and dry the surface with a clean cloth or paper towel. Use the minimum liquid needed; the goal is a cleaned surface, not a saturated device.
Reusable fluid-path parts require a separate process. Laerdal reusable-canister instructions include disassembly, rinsing, detergent cleaning, drying and inspection before disinfection. The exact chemical method should come from the current instructions for use and the facility infection prevention program. Do not improvise with strong chemicals, autoclaving, or disassembly of parts that the manufacturer says should not be disassembled. For example, Serres vacuum connector guidance states that the connector should be wiped with a damp cloth or sponge and should not be autoclaved or taken apart.
Battery care and charging schedule
Battery care is one of the highest-value LSU maintenance tasks because failure often becomes obvious only when the unit is needed away from external power. Manufacturer guidance for the current U.S. Bemis configuration states that the LSU must be charged between clinical uses, that continuous charge is recommended when not in use, and that a minimum 4-hour charge is required to reach full battery capacity. The same guide states that fast charging gives approximately 80% capacity after about 3 hours for a new battery, but repetitive 3-hour charging is not recommended.
Configuration matters. Older reusable and Serres instructions have used a 24-hour full-charge instruction, while the current U.S. Bemis guide uses 4 hours. That difference is a good reason to keep the exact user guide with the unit or in the maintenance file, instead of relying on a generic memory of LSU charging rules.
- Keep the LSU on continuous charge when not in use if your configuration and storage location allow it.
- If continuous charging is not possible, follow the user guide for the minimum monthly charging time for your configuration.
- Do not store the LSU with a discharged battery. Fully charge before storage.
- Use only batteries recommended by Laerdal or an authorized source.
- Replace the battery when it fails the battery quality check or at the interval specified by the manufacturer; current U.S. Bemis guidance states after 3 years or if the test is not passed.
- Use the recommended charging temperature when possible. The U.S. Bemis guide lists 15 °C to 25 °C as the recommended charging range.
The battery quality check is also practical. The current U.S. Bemis guide describes charging the battery fully, running the device test, then operating the LSU at 500+ mmHg/free flow for 20 minutes without external power. If the unit stops before completing that period, the battery should be discarded according to local protocol.
Device test and readiness log
The LSU device test is the built-in readiness check, not a decorative feature. Manufacturer guidance describes a four-step test that checks for suction-system occlusions, vacuum build-up efficiency, maximum achievable vacuum within a defined time, and air leakage in the pump system, canister and tubing.
Run the device test after use and after reassembly. If the LSU is not used frequently, Laerdal guidance says the test should be performed monthly and after each use. For units kept on constant charge, the current U.S. Bemis guide also notes that a device test should be performed at least monthly to exercise the battery. See also: clinical equipment.
| Situation | Suggested maintenance action |
|---|---|
| After clinical use or training use | Clean, inspect, replace or reprocess canister parts as applicable, run the device test, and recharge. |
| Unit used less than once per month | Run a monthly device test even when there has been no recent use. |
| Unit stored on continuous charge | Include a monthly device test in the readiness log to exercise the battery. |
| After canister or tubing reassembly | Run the device test before returning the unit to response status. |
| After a failed test | Check for occlusion, leakage, twisted tubing, damaged connectors, lid sealing problems and blocked exhaust outlet; retest only after correcting obvious issues. |
A simple readiness log should record date, unit identifier, canister type, battery indicator, device-test result, cleaning status, consumables replaced, technician initials and any escalation. The log does not need to be complicated. Its value is in showing patterns such as repeated low suction, frequent tubing replacement, batteries nearing the three-year point, or recurring test failures after canister changes.
Common low-suction faults to check first
Low suction is not always pump failure. Manufacturer troubleshooting tables point to several user-correctable conditions before service escalation. Check for a full canister, closed shut-off or float valve, a poor vacuum connection between the pump unit and canister, twisted or blocked patient tubing, kinked tubes, missing or incorrectly seated connectors, or a lid that is not sealed. Also confirm that the exhaust outlet is not blocked, because blocked exhaust can reduce flow and may damage the unit.
Power problems need a separate check. If the unit does not operate with AC or DC power connected, confirm the cord connection and external power source. If it cannot operate from the internal battery, check that the battery is installed, charge the unit, and replace the battery if the fault continues after charging. The battery status indicator is an approximation and can be influenced by factors such as temperature, battery condition and settings, so one glance at the indicator should not replace a device test and battery quality check.
If the red failure mode indicator stays lit after the manufacturer-specified reset attempts, or if liquid overflow into the pump is suspected, remove the unit from service. The current U.S. Bemis guide states that there are no user-serviceable parts inside the cabinet and recommends service by a Laerdal Service Center or authorized LSU servicer. It also recommends service at a minimum of every three years, with the actual interval potentially shorter or longer depending on frequency of use.
Storage and environmental checks
Storage conditions affect both battery status and suction readiness. Current Laerdal specifications for the U.S. Bemis configuration list operating and charging temperature from 0 °C to 40 °C, recommended charging temperature from 15 °C to 25 °C, long-term storage from 0 °C to 40 °C, and a maximum 24-hour storage range from -30 °C to 70 °C. The guide also notes that a unit moved from extreme storage temperatures may need time at room temperature before it is ready for intended use.
For ambulances, carts and wall brackets, maintenance should include physical security. Confirm that the unit is upright, the canister holder locks properly, the tubing is stored without sharp bends, the external power indicator lights when connected to the bracket or power cord, and spare consumables match the canister system installed on the device. Mixing the wrong tubing, filter or bag system can create a readiness problem even when the pump itself is functional.
Frequently asked questions
How often should a Laerdal suction unit be tested?
Run the device test after use and after reassembly. If the unit is used less than once per month, manufacturer guidance calls for monthly testing as well as after each use. Units kept on constant charge should also be included in a monthly test routine to exercise the battery.
Can a Bemis disposable canister be reused?
No. Laerdal guidance for the Bemis disposable configuration states that the canister and patient tubing are single-use items and warns that reuse can increase cross-contamination risk and degrade performance.
What should be done if suctioned liquid may have entered the pump?
Remove the unit from service and contact the appropriate Laerdal service channel or authorized servicer. Overflow can damage the device, and the cabinet should not be opened by users.
Should the LSU stay on charge between uses?
Manufacturer guidance recommends continuous charge when the LSU is not in use, where practical. If continuous charging is not possible, follow the minimum monthly charging instruction for the exact unit configuration because full-charge times differ between some guides.
Can the cabinet be rinsed or immersed during cleaning?
No. Disconnect external power, wipe with a damp cloth or sponge, wipe again with water, and dry the surface. Do not immerse the LSU, allow it to stand in liquid, or pump cleaning solution through the vacuum pump.
