Do children and adults need different AED electrode pads?

When available, infant/child or pediatric electrode pads (or an infant/child key depending on your AED model) should be used when performing a rescue on children under 55 lb., typically under the age of 8.

If no pediatric options are available, use adult electrode pads instead (and, if necessary to avoid having the electrode pads touch each other, use the alternate front and back electrode pad placement for infants).

Some advanced AEDs offer a pediatric/child button, which allows you to simply push a button if the victim is a child, which signals to the AED to reduce the shock strength to one appropriate for children. Both the ZOLL AED 3 and the Physio-Control LIFEPAK CR2 AEDs have pediatric/child buttons and do not require special electrode pads for children.