AED Use in Adults and Older Children

AED Setup and Placement

• Open the AED and turn it on; it is battery-powered
• If >1 rescuer is present, do not stop chest compressions while AED pads are applied
• Be sure the victim is not laying in water
• Place pads on upper right chest and lower left chest
• Do not place pads over medication patches or pacemakers
• For a victim with a very hairy chest, apply first set of pads, rip them off (with chest hair) and apply second set of pads
• Make sure the chest is dry; pads must stick

AED Use for Adults & Children Older than 8

• Follow all audio instructions from the AED
• Continue CPR until the AED tells you to stop
• Do not touch victim during ANALYZE or SHOCK
• When instructed by the AED to SHOCK, tell others to clear
• Press the SHOCK button
• Remember, you cannot accidentally shock a victim who should NOT be shocked!

BLS Algorithm in Children

BLS for Children– Step 1

Assess the scene and the victim:

• —Make sure you and victim are safe! 
• —Try to rouse the victim by shaking and shouting

• —Is he breathing?  Gasping is NOT effective breathing.
• —If breathing, call for help and continue monitoring

BLS for Children– Step 2

• —Use cell phone if available
• —If others are near, send them to activate emergency response system and get an AED while you start chest compressions.
• If you are alone and witnessed the collapse, —you may leave victim to activate the emergency response system before CPR
• If you are alone and did not witness the collapse, Give CPR for 2 minutes before leaving victim to get help and activate EMS

BLS for Children– Step 3

Check pulse:

• —Locate the carotid or femoral pulse
• —Feel for a pulse for no more than 10 seconds
• —If you cannot DEFINITELY feel a pulse within 10 seconds, begin chest compressions
• —A pulse rate <60 beats per minute is the same as no pulse!

BLS for Children– Step 4

Start High Quality CPR:

• Compression Rate 100-120/minute
• Compression Depth:

1. About 2 (5 cm)
2. At least 1/3 the diameter of chest

• Allow complete chest recoil between compressions
• Do not lean on chest between compressions
• Minimize interruptions

BLS for Children – Step 5

• —When AED arrives, use it!
• —When possible, use a pediatric pads and a dose attenuator (Pediatric dose switch on AED)
• —AED will only allow the rescuer to administer a SHOCK if it detects a shockable rhythm

AED for Infants/Children to 8 Years Old

If pediatric pads are available, use them – but it is OK to use adult pads if that is all you have!

Place the pads one on anterior chest and one on posterior chest

AED for Infants/Children to 8 Years Old

If the AED has a pediatric switch, flip it to deliver a pediatric dose If no switch is available, use the AED at the adult dose.

BLS Algorithm in Infants

BLS for Infants – Step 1

Assess the scene and the victim:

• —Make sure you and victim are safe! 
• —Try to rouse the rouse the infant using mildly painful (bot not harmful) stimuli if needed

• —Is he breathing?  Gasping is NOT effective breathing.
• —If breathing, call for help and continue monitoring

BLS for Infants – Step 2

• —Use cell phone if available
• —If others are near, send them to activate emergency response system and get an AED while you start chest compressions.
• If you are alone and witnessed the collapse, —you may leave victim to activate the emergency response system before CPR
• If you are alone and did not witness the collapse, Give CPR for 2 minutes before leaving victim to get help and activate EMS

BLS for Infants – Step 3

Check pulse:

• —Locate the brachial pulse (inside of upper arm)
• —Feel for a pulse for no more than 10 seconds
• —If you cannot DEFINITELY feel a pulse within 10 seconds, begin compressions
• —A pulse rate <60 beats per minute is the same as no pulse!

BLS for Infants – Step 4

Start High Quality CPR:

• Compression Rate 100-120/minute
• Compression Depth:

1. About 1.5 inches (4 cm)
2. At least 1/3 the diameter of chest

• Allow complete chest recoil between compressions
• Avoid excessive or large ventilations
• Minimize interruptions

BLS for Infants – Step 5

• —A manual defibrillator is preferred for infants…
• —…but if only an AED is available, use it!
• —When possible, use pediatric AED pads
• —When possible, use a pediatric dose attenuator (Pediatric dose switch on AED)

AED Use in Infants and Young Children