Child CPR with ZOLL AED

Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) in children is rare but life-threatening. When it occurs, it can have devastating consequences not just for the patients, but also for their families and the wider community.

Despite some improvements in overall survival rate worldwide, the rate of survival with good neurological outcome after paediatric out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) remains poor with major differences across Europe. These rates highlight the need for awareness, prevention and training.¹

In this article, we’ll explore what CPR is, who is considered a paediatric patient, what to do during a cardiac emergency in children, and how ZOLL AEDs support an effective response when every second counts.

What is CPR?

CPR stands for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. When an individual stops breathing, CPR helps to deliver oxygenated blood to the brain and other organs until first responders arrive; this dramatically increases a victim’s chance of survival and reduces the risk of neurological damage.

CPR is used in cases of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA), which in adults can result from incidents such as choking, drowning, or electrical shock. In children, however, SCA often has different underlying causes. These may include hereditary or acquired heart conditions such as Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, Long QT Syndrome, myocarditis, or commotio cordis.²

Who is considered a paediatric patient?

Children are not simply “small adults,” and this distinction is especially important in resuscitation. Their anatomy and physiology require adapted techniques to ensure CPR is both safe and effective.

For example, chest compressions in children should be delivered to a depth of approximately one-third of the chest. Depending on the child’s size, rescuers may use one or two hands, while infants may require the use of either two fingers or the two-thumb encircling technique, depending on local guidelines and level of training. These adjustments help maintain effective circulation while minimising the risk of injury.

Rescue breathing is also particularly important in paediatric CPR. CPR ratios and techniques may vary slightly between countries and training levels, but rescue breaths remain a key part of effective paediatric resuscitation.³

When defibrillation is required, using the appropriate equipment is vital. ZOLL’s paediatric defibrillation pads are designed for infants and children up to approximately 8 years of age or weighing less than 25 kg, delivering a reduced energy shock tailored to a child’s smaller body and heart.

What to Do in a Sudden Cardiac Arrest in Children

If a child becomes unresponsive, is not breathing normally, or has no detectable pulse outside of a medical setting, immediate action is critical. Bystander intervention can significantly improve survival outcomes. As soon as you notice a child experiencing symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest, call the emergency number, begin delivering high-quality CPR without delay, and ask another bystander to locate a nearby AED. 

If more than one rescuer is present, one person should continue CPR while the other prepares the AED. Once available, follow the device’s prompts carefully - modern AEDs are designed to provide step‑by‑step guidance throughout the rescue.
High-quality CPR is essential. However, it is necessary to keep in mind that because of the difference in weight and body size, the techniques for performing CPR are different when responding to infants, children, and adults.

To perform CPR on an infant: use two fingers at the centre of the infant’s chest to deliver gentler chest compressions. For a child, both one and two-handed CPR techniques are safe, depending on the size of the child.

How ZOLL AEDs Support Child CPR

Modern Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) are designed to make early life-saving intervention simple, safe, and effective - even for individuals without a medical background. ZOLL AEDs stand out for their intuitive features that can truly make a difference between life and death.

ZOLL AEDs provide real-time feedback on compression rate and depth - this reduces hesitation and increases confidence during a SCA episode. ZOLL’s Real CPR Help® Technology ensures rescuers perform high-quality CPR, which is essential for improving survival outcomes.

ZOLL AED 3® uses a single set of electrodes (CPR Uni-padz™) for both adults and children, eliminating the need to switch pads during an emergency. With the press of a button, the AED switches to child mode, which adjusts the shock energy level appropriately.

ZOLL AED Plus® uses paediatric-specific electrodes, which automatically adjust the energy delivered. When these electrodes are connected, the device switches from an adult ECG analysis algorithm to a paediatric‑specific one. While this requires changing pads, the AED still provides clear, step‑by‑step voice and visual instructions throughout the rescue.

Final Thoughts

Although sudden cardiac arrest in children is uncommon, the importance of rapid response cannot be overstated: for every minute that passes without CPR, a victim’s chance of survival decreases by 10%.

When responders are equipped with both CPR knowledge and an easy-to-use AED like the ZOLL AEDs, they are better prepared to act confidently and effectively.

¹ European Resuscitation Council Guidelines 2025 Paediatric Life Support - Resuscitation
² Causes of SCA in Kids | Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation
³ Paediatric out-of-hospital BLS algorithm 2025.pdf