Cardiac arrest in children is rare compared to adults, but it does happen — during sports, undiagnosed congenital heart conditions, or drowning-related events. Standard adult AED pads are not appropriate for young children, which is why pediatric pads exist.
Why Children Need a Different Approach
Adult AED pads deliver a shock calibrated for an adult-sized heart. Delivering that same energy level to a small child can be less effective or, in rare cases, inappropriate. Pediatric pads and settings reduce the delivered energy to a level suited to a smaller body.
Which Age Groups Need Pediatric Pads
As a general guideline, pediatric pads or settings are recommended for children under approximately eight years old or under 25kg. Above that threshold, standard adult pads are typically appropriate.
Not Every AED Supports This
Before purchasing an AED for a school, nursery, gym, or family setting, confirm the model supports pediatric pads or a dedicated child mode. This is a detail that's easy to overlook but critical for any environment where children are regularly present.
What If No Pediatric Pads Are Available?
Current guidance is clear: if pediatric pads are unavailable in a genuine emergency, use adult pads rather than withholding defibrillation. Some shock delivered promptly is better than none at all.
Equip Your Facility Correctly
If your school, nursery, or sports facility doesn't currently have pediatric-capable AED coverage, our team can recommend the right units and accessories — reach out via a quick Consultation.
Make Sure Your Facility Is Child-Ready
Heart First Response supplies, installs, maintains and trains organizations on AEDs across Dubai, United Arab Emirates and the wider Gulf region. Call us on +971 52 1746500 or visit heartfirstaed.com to get started.
