AED for Infants and Children Less Than 8 Years of Age

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Use of an AED for 

Infants

For infants, a manual defibrillator is preferred to an AED for defibrillation. A manual 
defibrillator has more capabilities than an AED and can provide lower energy doses that 
are often needed in infants. Advanced training is required to use a manual defibrillator 
and will not be covered in this course.

• 

If a manual defibrillator is not available, an AED equipped with a pediatric dose 

attenuator is preferred.

• 

If neither is available, you may use an AED without a pediatric dose attenuator.

Review

1.

 What should you do when using an AED on an infant or a child less than 8 years of 

age?

a.  Never use adult AED pads

b.  Use adult AED pads

c.  Use adult AED pads if the AED does not have child pads

d.  Use adult AED pads, but cut them in half

2.

 If a manual defibrillator is not available for an infant victim, which action should you 

take?

a.  Perform high-quality CPR

b.  Use an AED equipped with a pediatric dose attenuator

c.  Use an AED without a pediatric dose attenuator

d.  Wait for advanced care to arrive

3.

 What is important to remember about AED pad placement on infants?

a.  Ensure that pads overlap each other in very small infants

b.  Place 1 adult pad on the chest

c.  You may need to place 1 pad on the chest and 1 on the back, according to the 

diagrams on the pads

d.  If child AED pads are not available, do not use the AED

See Answers to Review Questions in the Appendix.

Foundational Facts

Using Adult Pads or Adult Shock Dose Is Better Than No Attempt 

at Defibrillation for an Infant or Child

AED Pads

If you are using an AED for an infant or for a child less than 8 years of age and the AED 
does not have child pads, you may use adult pads. Pads may need to be placed anterior 
and posterior so that they do not touch each other or overlap.

Shock Dose

If the AED you are using doesn’t have the capability of delivering a pediatric dose, use 
the adult dose.