diff --git a/code/game/objects/items/defib.dm b/code/game/objects/items/defib.dm
index 517bc9922786..640b4e4a6a0a 100644
--- a/code/game/objects/items/defib.dm
+++ b/code/game/objects/items/defib.dm
@@ -302,7 +302,6 @@
 	var/obj/item/defibrillator/defib
 	var/req_defib = TRUE
 	var/combat = FALSE //If it penetrates armor and gives additional functionality
-	var/wielded = FALSE // track wielded status on item
 
 /obj/item/shockpaddles/ComponentInitialize()
 	. = ..()
@@ -367,10 +366,10 @@
 	update_appearance()
 
 /obj/item/shockpaddles/update_icon_state()
-	icon_state = "[base_icon_state][wielded]"
+	icon_state = "[base_icon_state][HAS_TRAIT(src, TRAIT_WIELDED)]"
 	item_state = icon_state
 	if(cooldown)
-		icon_state = "[base_icon_state][wielded]_cooldown"
+		icon_state = "[base_icon_state][HAS_TRAIT(src, TRAIT_WIELDED)]_cooldown"
 	return ..()
 
 /obj/item/shockpaddles/dropped(mob/user)
@@ -397,7 +396,7 @@
 		user.visible_message("<span class='notice'>[defib] beeps: Unit is unpowered.</span>")
 		playsound(src, 'sound/machines/defib_failed.ogg', 50, FALSE)
 		return
-	if(!wielded)
+	if(!HAS_TRAIT(src, TRAIT_WIELDED))
 		if(iscyborg(user))
 			to_chat(user, "<span class='warning'>You must activate the paddles in your active module before you can use them on someone!</span>")
 		else
diff --git a/code/modules/surgery/revival.dm b/code/modules/surgery/revival.dm
index 13e4e3b784c6..7aef39fb5451 100644
--- a/code/modules/surgery/revival.dm
+++ b/code/modules/surgery/revival.dm
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@
 	. = TRUE
 	if(istype(tool, /obj/item/shockpaddles))
 		var/obj/item/shockpaddles/S = tool
-		if((S.req_defib && !S.defib.powered) || !S.wielded || S.cooldown || S.busy)
+		if((S.req_defib && !S.defib.powered) || !HAS_TRAIT(S, TRAIT_WIELDED) || S.cooldown || S.busy)
 			to_chat(user, "<span class='warning'>You need to wield both paddles, and [S.defib] must be powered!</span>")
 			return FALSE
 	if(istype(tool, /obj/item/melee/baton))