Knowing a patient’s age can make a big difference in CPR and AED care. Children are not just small adults, and their bodies respond differently in emergencies. Understanding whether someone is an infant, a child, or an adult helps rescuers act quickly and use the right techniques to give the best chance of survival. When we define a child for CPR and AED care, we use puberty as a guide, not just age. This is because puberty marks real physical changes in the body, like growth and heart size, which affect how much force and technique you should use during CPR. A 12-year-old who has not started puberty may need child-sized care, while someone younger but already showing signs of puberty may require adult steps. It’s a way to match CPR to the body’s actual needs rather than just a number on a birthday cake. In this guide, we will break down the age categories and show how CPR and AED care changes for each so you can respond with confidence.
Official CPR/AED Age Definitions
When it comes to CPR and using an AED, knowing the official age categories is key. Understanding these definitions helps you choose the right technique and equipment for each person in need and ensures you know exactly when and how to use CPR and an AED together for the best chance of saving a life.
1. An infant is any baby under one year old. CPR for infants is gentle and careful, using different techniques than for older children or adults.
2. A child is anyone from their first birthday up to the start of puberty. CPR and AED care for children uses special methods that are different from those for infants and adults.
3. An adult is anyone who has reached puberty or is older. CPR and AED steps for adults are stronger and different from the methods used for children and infants.
CPR for Children Step-by-Step Guide
Knowing the right CPR steps for children can make a big difference in an emergency. Following the correct compression depth, rate, and ratio helps give them the best chance to recover.
Step 1: Check for Responsiveness: Gently tap the child’s shoulder and call their name to see if they respond. If there is no response, immediately prepare to take further action.
Step 2: Open the Airway: Tilt the child’s head back slightly and lift the chin to open the airway. This ensures that air can flow freely in and out of the lungs.
Step 3: Check for Breathing: Look, listen, and feel for normal breathing for no more than 10 seconds. If the child is not breathing or only gasping, begin CPR.
Step 4: Begin Chest Compressions: Place the heel of one hand on the center of the chest and push hard and fast, about 100–120 compressions per minute. Allow the chest to fully recoil between compressions.
Step 5: Give Rescue Breath: After 30 compressions, give 2 gentle rescue breaths by sealing your mouth over the child’s mouth and nose, watching for the chest to rise. Continue with cycles of compressions and breaths.
Step 6: Continue CPR: Keep performing CPR in cycles of 30 compressions and 2 breaths until the child starts breathing, emergency help arrives, or you are too exhausted to continue. Always minimize interruptions between compressions.
AED Guidelines for Children
AED Guidelines for Children (Ages 1-8 or <55 lbs / 25 kg):
1. Turn on the AED and follow the voice prompts immediately.
2. Use pediatric pads if available; place one pad on the child’s chest (center) and the other on the back between the shoulder blades. If pediatric pads aren’t available, use adult pads, making sure they don’t touch each other.
3. Let the AED analyze the heart rhythm, and ensure no one is touching the child during this time.
4. Follow the AED prompts to deliver a shock if advised, then immediately resume CPR for 2 minutes before the AED reanalyzes.
5. Continue CPR and AED use until the child shows signs of life, professional help arrives, or the device instructs otherwise.
Special Considerations for Performing CPR and Using an AED on Children
When helping a child in an emergency, some situations need extra care and attention. Knowing these special tips can make CPR and using an AED safer and more effective.
- Small-For-Age or Large-For-Age Children: Adjust the depth and force of chest compressions based on the child’s size to avoid injury while ensuring effective circulation.
- Children with Medical Devices (Pacemakers, Implanted Defibrillators): Avoid placing AED pads directly over implanted devices and follow standard AED use around them.
- Traumatic Cardiac Arrest in Children: Focus on controlling bleeding and addressing injuries, but continue CPR and AED use as indicated.
- Drowning Cases: Begin CPR immediately with rescue breaths first if the child is not breathing, as hypoxia is the primary cause of arrest.
Also Read: The Pediatric Chain Of Survival. A Lifesaving Guide for Children’s Emergencies
Why the Definition Matters?
Knowing exactly what counts as a child is important because it changes how you perform CPR and use an AED. Children are smaller and more fragile than adults, so compressions need to be gentler, and rescue breaths must be carefully given. AEDs also have special pads and settings for children to make sure the shock is safe and effective. Treating a child like an adult could cause injury or reduce the chances of helping them. Understanding their age and size helps you act quickly and correctly, giving them the best chance to recover.
Identifying a Child in Emergency Situations
In an emergency, rescuers can look for quick visual and physical clues like size, facial features, and overall body development to identify a child. If you are unsure of the person’s age, treat them as a child and use pediatric CPR and AED guidelines. The most important thing is to start CPR right away because acting quickly is far better than hesitating and losing precious time.
Summary Table: Age Categories & CPR/AED Differences
Here is the table of CPR and an AED differences according to age group,definition,compression depth, AED pads types and compression ratio.
| Age Group | Definition | Compression Depth | AED Pads | Compression Ratio |
| Infant | Under 1 Year | 1.5 inches (4 cm) | Pediatrics | 30:2 / 15:2 |
| Child | 1 Year to Puberty | 2 inches (5 cm) | Pediatrics | 30:2 / 15:2 |
| Adult | Puberty & Older | 2-2.4 inches (5-6 cm) | Adult | 30:2 |
Child’s Age Plays A Crucial Role In CPR/AED Emergencies
In summary, a child’s age makes a big difference in how you perform CPR and use an AED, so quick decisions can save lives. Knowing their developmental stage helps you adjust compressions, breaths, and pad placement to match their needs. If you are unsure, it is safest to follow child guidelines for younger or smaller children and adult steps for older or larger ones, but the most important thing is to start CPR right away without hesitation. For a detailed look at how techniques vary by age, learn the main differences in CPR techniques for infants, children, and adults.
