You can use an AED on a child or baby who is in cardiac arrest. If an Automated External Defibrillator is available, do not be afraid to use it.

Cardiac arrest in children is less common than in adults, and shockable heart rhythms are relatively rare. However, they can occur. When they do, rapid CPR and defibrillation can be lifesaving.

Current Resuscitation Council UK guidance is clear: if an AED is the only defibrillator available, use it in any age group.

For infants and smaller children, a paediatric setting should be used when available. However, you should not delay defibrillation simply because paediatric pads, a child key or a child setting cannot be found.

This guide explains what to do, how paediatric AED systems work and where the pads should be placed.

When Would You Use an AED on a Child?

An AED is used when a child is in cardiac arrest.

A child in cardiac arrest will be:

unresponsive
not breathing normally

They may occasionally make abnormal gasping movements or breaths. These are not normal breathing.

The AED is not used simply because a child has collapsed, fainted, experienced a seizure or is having difficulty breathing.

You use it as part of the response to cardiac arrest.

If you are faced with a real emergency, call 999 and follow the ambulance call handler’s instructions.

Can an AED Really Be Used on a Baby?

Yes.

Resuscitation Council UK states that if an AED is the only device available, it should be used in any age group.

That includes infants.

For an infant or child weighing less than approximately 25 kg, roughly eight years of age, current 2025 paediatric guidance recommends activating the AED’s paediatric mode if available.

The important words are if available.

If you only have an ordinary AED operating in adult mode, use it.

Do not leave an infant or child in cardiac arrest without potentially lifesaving defibrillation while searching for different equipment.

What Are Paediatric AED Pads?

Some AEDs use special paediatric electrode pads.

They may be labelled:

paediatric pads
child pads
infant/child pads
reduced-energy pads

The exact terminology varies between manufacturers.

A paediatric AED system reduces the energy delivered by the defibrillator to make it appropriate for a smaller casualty.

However, separate paediatric pads are only one way an AED can achieve this.

Not Every AED Uses Separate Paediatric Pads

This is an important point if you are responsible for purchasing or maintaining an AED.

Depending on the manufacturer and model, paediatric operation may involve:

separate paediatric electrode pads
a child key
a child button
a switch
selecting a paediatric mode
another manufacturer-specific system

Some AEDs use the same pads for adults and children but change the energy delivered when child mode is selected.

Therefore, do not assume that every AED used around children requires a second set of paediatric pads.

Check the instructions for your particular model.

Our guide to choosing a portable AED explains some of the other features worth comparing when purchasing a defibrillator.

What Age Are Paediatric AED Settings For?

Current Resuscitation Council UK 2025 paediatric guidance uses weight as well as approximate age.

Paediatric mode should be activated, if available, in infants and children weighing less than 25 kg, which is approximately eight years old.

For larger children and adolescents, the AED should be used in its normal adult mode.

This is slightly different from simply remembering a rigid age cut-off because children’s size varies.

In an emergency, however, do not allow uncertainty about someone’s exact age or weight to prevent you from using an AED.

Follow the device instructions and the directions provided by the 999 call handler.

What if There Are No Paediatric Pads?

Use the AED.

This is one of the most important messages in this article.

If an infant or child is in cardiac arrest and the AED does not have paediatric instructions, Resuscitation Council UK says to use it in standard adult mode.

Do not:

wait for another AED
delay CPR while searching for child pads
decide the AED is unsuitable and put it away
delay defibrillation because you are worried about using adult mode

Rapid action matters more.

Will an AED Shock a Child if They Do Not Need It?

An AED analyses the casualty’s heart rhythm.

It does not deliver a shock simply because you attach the pads.

If the AED identifies a rhythm that should be treated with defibrillation, it will advise a shock or, depending on the type of AED, deliver one automatically after warning rescuers to stand clear.

If the rhythm is not shockable, it will not advise a shock.

This is why members of the public should not be afraid to attach and use an AED when a child is in cardiac arrest.

Where Do AED Pads Go on a Child?

Pad position depends partly on the child’s size.

For infants and children weighing less than approximately 25 kg, current Resuscitation Council UK guidance recommends anteroposterior placement when using adult-size pads.

That means:

Front pad:
Place one pad on the front of the chest, immediately to the left of the breastbone.

Back pad:
Place the other pad on the child’s back, with the centre of the pad positioned between the shoulder blades.

In simple terms, one pad goes on the front and the other on the back.

Why Are Pads Sometimes Placed Front and Back?

AED pads must not touch each other.

On a small child’s chest, ordinary adult pads may be too large to position in the same way that they would be positioned on an adult.

Placing one pad on the chest and one on the back helps provide sufficient separation between them.

This is particularly relevant when using adult-size pads on an infant or small child.

Always follow any diagrams printed on the AED pads and the instructions supplied by the device.

Where Do AED Pads Go on a Larger Child?

For children weighing more than approximately 25 kg and adolescents, Resuscitation Council UK permits either:

anterolateral placement, similar to normal adult pad placement, or
anteroposterior placement, with one pad on the chest and one on the back.

With standard anterolateral placement:

one pad is positioned below the right collarbone
the other is positioned on the left side of the chest, beneath the armpit

If anteroposterior positioning is used on an adolescent, pads should not be placed over breast tissue.

Should You Stop CPR While Attaching AED Pads?

Interruptions to CPR should be kept as short as possible.

If two rescuers are present, one can continue CPR while the other:

retrieves the AED
switches it on
exposes the child’s chest
prepares the pads
attaches them

Stop touching the casualty when the AED tells you it is analysing the heart rhythm.

Nobody should touch the child during analysis.

If the AED advises a shock, make sure everybody is clear before the shock is delivered.

Immediately restart chest compressions after the shock when instructed by the AED.

Current RCUK guidance specifically emphasises applying the pads with minimal interruption to CPR.

CPR Is Particularly Important in Children

Cardiac arrest in adults is commonly associated with a primary heart problem.

In children, cardiac arrest is more frequently associated with problems involving breathing and oxygenation.

This is one reason paediatric CPR places particular importance on rescue breaths.

Someone trained in paediatric basic life support should follow the paediatric CPR sequence they have been taught.

For a child who is unresponsive and not breathing normally, this includes five initial rescue breaths before continuing with CPR.

If you have not been trained or cannot remember exactly what to do, call 999 immediately and follow the ambulance call handler’s instructions.

Do not do nothing because you are uncertain.

Do You Need to Check for a Pulse?

Members of the public should not waste time trying to find a pulse before starting CPR or using an AED.

Recognising cardiac arrest is based on the casualty being:

unresponsive
not breathing normally

If those signs are present, follow the emergency call handler’s instructions, begin CPR and use an AED as soon as it is available.

The AED will analyse the heart rhythm for you.

What if the Child Appears to Be Having a Seizure?

A cardiac arrest can occasionally begin with seizure-like movements.

Do not assume that someone is breathing normally simply because they have moved, gasped or appeared to have a seizure.

Once the movements stop, assess responsiveness and breathing.

If the child is unresponsive and not breathing normally, treat this as cardiac arrest and follow the 999 call handler’s instructions.

Should Schools Have Paediatric AED Capability?

Schools should understand the capabilities of the AED they provide.

However, it is worth remembering that a school AED is not there solely for pupils.

It may potentially be needed by:

children
teachers
support staff
parents
visitors
contractors
members of the community

For that reason, an AED in a school should provide appropriate capability for the people who may realistically need it.

Schools should know:

whether the AED has a paediatric mode
how that mode is activated
whether separate paediatric pads are required
where those pads are stored
when they expire
how adult mode is restored
who is responsible for routine checks

Our AEDs in schools guide looks at school defibrillator provision, positioning, maintenance and emergency preparedness in more detail.

What About Nurseries and Early Years Settings?

Paediatric capability deserves particular consideration where an organisation regularly looks after babies and young children.

This may include:

nurseries
preschools
childminders
children’s activity providers
soft play centres
family attractions
early years settings

If an AED is being purchased for one of these environments, check its paediatric capability before buying it.

Do not simply purchase the cheapest device and assume child functionality will be available later.

It is also important that staff know how their particular AED changes between adult and paediatric operation.

What About Sports Clubs?

Youth sport is another environment where organisations should understand their AED.

A sports club may have:

young children
teenagers
adult players
coaches
officials
spectators
parents

An AED therefore needs to be appropriate for the range of people who could suffer a cardiac arrest at the venue.

If younger children use the facility, make sure those responsible for the AED know whether paediatric mode is available and how to activate it.

Should You Have Paediatric AED Pads at Home?

If you are considering an AED for home use and babies or young children regularly live in or visit the property, paediatric capability is worth considering when choosing the device.

That does not necessarily mean purchasing separate pads.

First check how your chosen AED provides reduced-energy paediatric defibrillation.

It may use:

separate child pads
a child key
a button
a switch
a built-in paediatric mode

If separate pads are required, remember that they are consumable items with expiry dates and will need checking alongside the adult pads.

Do Paediatric AED Pads Expire?

If your AED uses separate paediatric electrode pads, they will have a manufacturer-specified expiry date.

Someone responsible for the AED should monitor that date.

Pads normally need replacing:

when they reach their expiry date
after they have been used
if their sealed packaging becomes damaged
if required by the manufacturer

Do not assume an AED is ready simply because the status indicator looks normal.

Consumables need checking as part of your routine maintenance arrangements.

Our AED maintenance guide explains how to manage pads, batteries, readiness indicators and post-use checks.

What Should You Check When Buying an AED for Use Around Children?

If you are purchasing an AED for a school, nursery, sports club, family setting or another location regularly used by children, ask:

Does this AED have a paediatric mode?
How is child mode activated?
Does it require separate paediatric pads?
What weight or age range does the manufacturer specify?
How are pads positioned on a small child?
What do replacement pads cost?
How long do the pads last?
Are replacement pads readily available in the UK?
Can adult mode be selected quickly?
Are the instructions clear enough to follow under pressure?
Does everyone responsible for the AED know how it operates?

These questions are more useful than simply asking whether an AED is “child friendly”.

Does Paediatric Capability Affect AED Cost?

It can.

Some AEDs include child capability as part of the device, while others require additional pads or accessories.

That means you should consider both the initial purchase price and future consumable costs.

For example, separate paediatric pads may expire without ever being used and still need replacing.

When comparing devices, look at the whole-life cost rather than the AED purchase price alone.

Our guide to AED costs in the UK explains purchase prices, pads, batteries, cabinets and other ongoing costs.

Do You Need AED Training to Help a Child?

You do not need an AED certificate before using a defibrillator in an emergency.

If a child is in cardiac arrest and an AED is available, use it.

However, practical training can make a considerable difference to confidence.

Paediatric first aid training gives learners an opportunity to practise:

recognising an unresponsive child or infant
opening the airway
assessing breathing
giving rescue breaths
child CPR
infant CPR
using an AED
pad positioning
responding to choking
managing other serious childhood emergencies

For people who work with babies and children, this is particularly valuable because paediatric resuscitation differs in important ways from adult CPR.

Paediatric AED Training Within First Aid Courses

AED use forms part of practical first aid training rather than being treated as a complicated medical procedure.

At First Aid and Safety Training, our Paediatric First Aid courses include practical infant and child CPR and AED training.

Our current blended Paediatric First Aid course combines online learning with a face-to-face practical training day, allowing learners to practise the skills they would need during a genuine emergency.

For workplace learners, AED use is also included within our Emergency First Aid at Work and First Aid at Work training.

AED on a Child: The Most Important Points

If you remember nothing else from this guide, remember these points:

Yes, you can use an AED on a child or baby.
If an AED is the only device available, use it in any age group.
For infants and children under approximately 25 kg, use paediatric mode when it is available.
Do not delay defibrillation because paediatric mode or paediatric pads are unavailable.
If the AED has no instructions for children, use it in standard adult mode.
On a small child, adult-size pads may need to be placed one on the chest and one on the back.
Keep interruptions to CPR as short as possible.
Nobody should touch the casualty while the AED analyses the rhythm or delivers a shock.
Restart CPR immediately after a shock when instructed.
Members of the public do not need to check for a pulse.
You do not need formal AED certification before using one in an emergency.

Build Confidence Before an Emergency Happens

Using an AED on a child can sound intimidating.

The reality is that the device is designed to guide you, and current UK guidance is deliberately straightforward: if a child is in cardiac arrest and an AED is available, use it.

The greater risk is delaying CPR or defibrillation because you are frightened of doing something wrong.

Practical first aid training allows you to handle the equipment, practise CPR and understand what the prompts mean before you ever face a real emergency.

First Aid and Safety Training provides regulated first aid qualifications and practical CPR and AED training for individuals and organisations across the North East.

Explore our Paediatric First Aid training, find out about first aid training across the North East or contact First Aid and Safety Training to discuss training for your organisation.

You can also see our South Shields training location and customer reviews on Google Maps.

Real Skills, Real Confidence.