Ingress Protection describes the resistance to dust or water creeping into a device (such as an AED or Smartphone).  The IP number provides a rating for the protection.


The IP number (or Ingress Protection number) comprises of 2 digits.  The first digit is a rating for protection against dust particles.  The second number is a rating for protection against water droplets.  The following chart provides the type of protection indicated by the IP number.


Key for IPX Dust Resistance Water Resistance
IP1X / IPX1 resist dust particles >50mm Dripping water
IP2X / IPX2 resist dust particles >12.5mm Dripping water when tilted 15 degrees
IP3X / IPX3 resist dust particles >2.5mm Spraying water
IP4X / IPX4 resist dust particles >1mm Splashing water
IP5X /IPX5 Ingress of dust not completely prevented Water jets
IP6X / IPX6 No ingress of dust Powerful water jets


The highest IP rating for AEDs (as off January 2018) is IP55.


If there is an "X" where a number should be, the device was probably not tested for that resistance.  Example:  IPX3 means that the device was not tested for dust resistance, but has a water resistance rating of 3 (resistant to spraying water).