Can AEDs be used on children?
Children over 8 years can be treated with a standard AED. The HSFO recommends that pediatric attenuated electrodes be purchased for children 1-8 years or age. Since the actual potential for pediatric cardiac arrest due to VF is rare (less then 10%), CoKL EMS recommends that only adult style electrodes be kept with all AEDs. This will eliminate the wrong electrodes being applied to an adult, who are at the greatest risk for SCA. We will educate citizens in the HeartSaver AED program to attach the AEDs electrodes to all of the victims including children. If specific groups require the special pediatric electrodes due to a real risk, we will deal with that issue in training and program support.
