Can You Use an AED on a Child? What to Know About AED for Children

If a child suddenly collapses, becomes unresponsive, and isn’t breathing normally, it’s one of the most frightening emergencies you can imagine.

Your first thought might be, “Call 911.” Good. Do that immediately.

Your second thought might be, “Start CPR.” Also good.

But then you see an AED nearby, and suddenly, a new question appears: Can you use an AED on a child?

The answer is yes. An AED can be used on a child in cardiac arrest. In fact, using an AED as soon as possible, along with CPR, can be lifesaving.

The key is knowing how to use it properly, when to use pediatric pads, and what to do if pediatric pads are not available.

Why AED Access Matters for Adults AND Children

Cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, at any age.

In Canada, Heart & Stroke estimates that about 60,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen every year, or roughly one every nine minutes.

They also report that nine in 10 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests result in death, and that every minute without CPR or defibrillation reduces the probability of survival by about 10%.

Pediatric cardiac arrest is less common than adult cardiac arrest, but it does happen.

A large Ontario study of pediatric out-of-hospital cardiac arrest found 1,839 atraumatic cases among children from 2004 to 2020, with survival to hospital discharge achieved in 9.1% of cases. The study also found that most children in the cohort didn’t have significant comorbidities.

That last point is worth sitting with.

We often imagine cardiac arrest only happening to adults with known heart disease, but emergencies involving children can happen unexpectedly.

So, Can You Use an AED on a Child?

Yes! You can use an AED on a child who is unresponsive and not breathing normally.

For children up to 25 kg or eight years of age, an AED with a pediatric mode and pediatric pads is preferred when a manual defibrillator isn’t available.

However, if pediatric pads or pediatric mode aren’t available, use the adult AED pads.

Don’t delay.

If a child is in cardiac arrest, the priority is to call 911, start CPR, and use the AED as soon as it is available.

How To Use an AED on a Child

Here is what to do.

1) Check Responsiveness and Breathing

Tap the child and shout to see if they respond. If they’re unresponsive and not breathing normally, treat it as cardiac arrest.

2) Call 911 and Shout for an AED

If someone else is nearby, point directly at them and say, “Call 911 and get the AED.”

Be specific.

In emergencies, people can freeze. Giving one person one clear task can make the response faster.

3) Start CPR Right Away

Start chest compressions immediately.

For children and infants, rescue breaths are especially important when you are trained and able to provide them.

Heart & Stroke’s 2025 Canadian CPR guideline update renewed emphasis on rescue breaths for children and infants, especially because pediatric cardiac arrests often stem from respiratory issues.

If you are trained, use compressions and breaths. If you aren’t trained or cannot give breaths, do chest compressions.

Remember: Doing something is always better than doing nothing.

4) Turn on the AED

Open the lid or press the power button. The AED will begin speaking to you.

Listen to the prompts. AEDs are designed to walk you through the rescue, step by step.

5) Attach the Pads to the Child’s Bare Chest

If pediatric pads are available, use them for a child under eight years old or under 25 kg.

If only adult pads are available, use them. The main concern is making sure the pads don’t touch each other.

If the child’s chest is too small for standard placement, place one pad on the centre of the chest and the other on the centre of the back.

Then let the AED analyze the rhythm.

6) Stand Clear When the AED Analyzes or Shocks

Make sure no one is touching the child while the AED analyzes the heart rhythm.

If the AED says a shock is advised, make sure everyone is clear, then press the shock button if prompted.

Some AEDs are fully automatic and will deliver the shock on their own after warning everyone to stand clear.

7) Keep Going Until Help Arrives

After a shock, or if no shock is advised, continue CPR immediately.

Keep following the AED prompts until emergency medical services arrive or the child starts breathing normally.

What if It’s an Infant?

This is where many people get (understandably) nervous.

The Canadian Paediatric Society notes that AEDs can be used for infants and children.

For infants, manual defibrillation is the recommended method when available, which usually means when trained healthcare professionals or emergency responders are present.

If a manual defibrillator isn’t available, an AED with a pediatric dose attenuator is preferred, and a standard adult AED can be used if that’s all that is available.

In a real-world public setting, you may not have medical equipment options. You may have one AED on the wall.

Use it.

Call 911, start CPR, follow the dispatcher, and follow the AED prompts.

Why Pediatric Pads Matter

Pediatric pads, pediatric cartridges, or pediatric keys reduce the energy delivered to a smaller child, which makes them the preferred option for young children when available.

This is one reason every organization that serves children should check their AED setup.

Having an AED is excellent, but having the right accessories matters too.

Ask yourself:

• Does your school, daycare, camp, clinic, sports facility, church, or community centre have an AED?
• Does it have pediatric pads or pediatric mode?
• Are the pads expired?
• Is the battery rescue-ready?
• Does staff know where the AED is located?
• Is it accessible, or is it locked away?

This is the practical side of preparedness.

It’s not just about owning an AED. It’s about making sure the device, pads, battery, signage, placement, and training all work together.

Common Fears About Using an AED on a Child

“What if I make things worse?”

If a child is unresponsive and not breathing normally, they need immediate help. An AED will analyze the heart rhythm and only advise a shock if needed.

“What if I use adult pads by mistake?”

Use pediatric pads if available for a child under eight or under 25 kg. If they’re not available, use adult pads. Don’t delay defibrillation trying to search for the perfect equipment.

“What if I am not trained?”

Call 911, start CPR, and turn on the AED. The dispatcher and AED will guide you. Training is strongly recommended, but a lack of training shouldn’t stop you from acting.

“What if the child is wet?”

Move them to a dry area if possible, dry the chest, apply the pads, and follow the prompts. Make sure no one is touching the child during analysis or shock delivery.

The Bottom Line

Preparedness is what turns panic into action.

If your workplace, school, daycare, sports facility, or community space has children nearby, now is the time to check your AED, confirm you have the right pads, and make sure your team knows what to do.

First Edition can help you choose the right AED, stock the right pediatric accessories, and provide the CPR and AED training your team needs to respond with confidence. Because when a child’s life is on the line, every second counts.

Explore our products or training services today!