How can an AED be set to deliver a pediatric shock dose?

The appropriate method to set an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to deliver a pediatric shock dose is by applying pediatric pads with a switch. Pediatric pads are specifically designed for the smaller body size and lower energy levels needed for children and provide a safer, more effective shock. Many AEDs have a feature that allows the user to switch between adult and pediatric settings, which adjusts the energy output of the shock delivered.

Using adult pads alone could potentially deliver too much energy to a child, which can lead to serious injury. A manual setting on the AED is not typically available in standard AEDs; most are designed to be used in a straightforward, automated manner. Avoiding the use of any pads entirely would render the AED ineffective, as pads are essential for both sensing the heart's rhythm and delivering the shock necessary to restore a normal cardiac rhythm. Thus, utilizing pediatric pads with a switch is the safest approach when treating pediatric patients in need of defibrillation.