AED Infants & Children

If you look around the public places you visit, you are likely to find an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). An AED is both sophisticated and easy to use, providing life-saving power in a user-friendly device. This makes the device useful for people who have no experience operating an AED and allows successful use in stressful scenarios. However, proper use of an AED is very important. The purpose of defibrillation is to reset the electrical systems of the heart, allowing a normal rhythm a chance to return.

1. Retrieve the AED (Figure 10a).
   • a. Open the case.
   • b. Turn on the AED.
2. Expose the infant or the child’s chest (Figure 10b).
   • a. If wet, dry chest.
   • b. Remove medication patches.
3. Open the pediatric AED pads (Figure 10c). If pediatric pads are not available, use adult pads. Ensure that the pads do not touch.
   • a. Peel off backing.
   • b. Check for pacemaker or defibrillator; if present, do not apply patches over the device.
4. Apply the pads (Figure 10d).
   • a. Upper right chest above breast.
   • b. Lower left chest below armpit.

Figure 10

AED Steps for Children and Infants Continued

1. Ensure wires are attached to AED box (Figure 10e).
2. Move away from the person (Figure 10f).
   • a. Stop CPR.
   • b. Instruct others not to touch the person.
3. AED analyzes the rhythm.
4. If message reads “Check Electrodes,” then:
   • a. Ensure electrodes make good contact.
   • b. If message reads “Shock,” then shock.
5. Resume CPR for two minutes (Figure 10g).
6. Repeat cycle.

2010 AHA GUIDELINES FOR DEFIBRILLATION

Initial dose should be 2 to 4 J/kg (4 J/kg for refractory VF). Ideal energy levels are yet to be determined.

2010 AHA GUIDELINES FOR AED USE

For one to eight-year-olds, an AED with a pediatric dose to attenuator system should be used if available. For infants under one-year-old, manual defibrillation is preferred. If neither pediatric dose attenuator nor manual defibrillator is available, a standard adult AED may be used.