Ace the Basic Life Support (BLS) Challenge 2025 – Breathe Life into Your Skills!

For infants, proper AED pad placement is crucial for effective defibrillation. The recommended practice is to place one pad on the front of the chest and the other pad on the back. This positioning allows the electrical current to pass through the heart, maximizing the chances of restoring a normal heart rhythm during a cardiac arrest.

Using both pads on the front of the chest might not provide the necessary electrical pathway for the shock to be effective, which is why the placement on both the front and back is emphasized. The concern about pad size is also addressed through this method, as pads designed for infants or children can be suitably placed without risking improper coverage or incorrect use. In cases of infants, there's no intention or benefit in using pads that are deemed inappropriate for their small size—hence the focus on utilizing pads that fit properly.

This technique is essential in pediatric life support scenarios, distinguishing it from practices for adult patients, and it underscores the importance of adapting CPR and defibrillation techniques based on patient age and size.