All About AED Usage and Children

Purchasing an AED and supplementing it with the necessary training is a sure way to boost the overall safety of any workplace. But is your new AED safe to use on children, or even infants? The short answer to that question is yes, but there are a few things you’ll want to be aware of in the event that you are in a situation where the proper usage of an AED could save a child’s life.

Are AEDs Safe for Children?

AEDs are absolutely safe for children. In fact, if administered within 3-5 minutes after a heart failure incident, CPR and defibrillation using an AED can be lifesaving for children. There are key nuances that differentiate CPR and AED methods for children and adults that we cover in each of our Heartsaver AED/CPR Training sessions.

One of the key things to remember is that children should be treated with pediatric specific electrode pads when available. There are a few reasons why this is the case. For starters, it’s imperative that electrode pads do not touch while defibrillation is taking place. The smaller pads make this easier to achieve when working with a smaller person. Pediatric electrode pads also deliver a reduced shock to the patient. 

Recognizing Pediatric Pads

If you purchase your AED through Heart to Beat, we’ll ensure you have all the needed pads to administer care to both children and adults. If you’d like to audit your current AED situation to ensure you are fully prepared, pediatric electrode pads are generally quite easy to identify. Most often the pads are a different color than standard pads and have a clear diagram of a child on them. Be sure to closely observe that diagram, as it will denote exactly where the pads should be placed on the child or infant.

What if Pediatric Pads Are Not Available?

In the event that pediatric electrode pads are not available, you can use standard adult pads instead. If you do this, be sure that you do not let the pads touch each other while administering care. Alternatively, some AEDs use a child/infant “key” and adult electrode pads. Of course, you’ll want to be familiar with the specifics of your AED before an emergency situation arises.

Keep Your Workplace Safe with CPR and AED Training from Heart to Beat!

Heart to Beat offers comprehensive safety programs to protect you and your employees from the risks and emergencies in both your professional and personal lives. If you’re interested in discovering how our team can help you, contact us today at info@hearttobeatllc.com!

Share this post

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email

Contact Us

Get in touch with us today to schedule a site visit or discuss your safety needs!

Recent Posts

Get in touch with us today!

We can discuss what the best safety training program for your business looks like.