Question

you have a child who is younger than 8yrs old and need to use the AED but the pediatric pads are unavailable, what do you do?

Answer 1

In the event that pediatric AED pads are unavailable, adult AED pads should be used on a child younger than 8 years old, with one pad placed on the chest and the other on the back. It is essential that the pads do not touch, and CPR should be administered prior to AED use if possible.

Step-by-step explanation:

If you have a child younger than 8 years old who needs an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and pediatric pads are unavailable, you should use the adult AED pads. Place one pad on the center of the child's chest (over the sternum) and the other pad on the child's back between the shoulder blades. It is vital to ensure the pads do not touch or overlap, as this could impact the effectiveness of the shock delivered by the AED. In the absence of pediatric pads, using adult pads is preferable to not using an AED at all. Remember, before administering an AED, it is advisable to perform CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) if you are trained to do so.