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September 11, 2026
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The Critical Need for Pediatric Readiness
While sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is most common in adults, it can strike children and infants without warning. For facilities that regularly host children—such as schools, daycares, churches, and athletic centers—having an AED on the wall is only half of the legal and moral obligation.
Standard adult AED electrodes deliver a defibrillation shock that is far too powerful for a small child’s heart. To safely perform a pediatric rescue, your ZOLL AED Plus must be equipped with ZOLL Pedi-padz II (Part #8900-0810-01).
Energy Attenuation: How the AED Plus Adapts to Children
The ZOLL AED Plus is an intelligent defibrillator. When you unplug the adult pads and connect the Pedi-padz II, the logic board instantly recognizes the change. You do not need to push a separate “child mode” button or insert a pediatric key.
Upon detecting the Pedi-padz II, the AED Plus automatically modifies its rescue protocols through two critical technical adjustments:
- Energy Attenuation: The AED automatically scales down the joules (energy) of the defibrillation shock from adult levels (120-200J) to levels that are safe for pediatric anatomy (typically 50-85J).
- Algorithm Adjustment: It alters its ECG analysis algorithm to accurately read pediatric heart rhythms, which operate at different baseline rates than adult rhythms.
AHA Compliance: Adult vs. Pediatric Protocols
According to American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines, facility managers and rescuers must follow strict age and weight thresholds when deploying AED electrodes.
| Feature | Adult: CPR-D Padz | Pediatric: Pedi-padz II |
|---|---|---|
| Patient Age | Over 8 years old | Under 8 years old |
| Patient Weight | Over 55 lbs (25 kg) | Under 55 lbs (25 kg) |
| Pad Placement | Anterior-Anterior (Front of chest) | Anterior-Posterior (Center chest and back) |
| CPR Coaching | Yes (Real CPR Help) | No (Audio feedback disabled) |
| Shelf Life | 5 Years | 2 Years |
Rescue Note: If you are ever in doubt about a child’s exact age or weight during a frantic emergency, standard AHA protocol dictates that you should assume they require adult pads. It is better to deliver an adult shock than no shock at all.
Pad Placement: Anterior-Posterior
Unlike adult pads that both go on the front of the chest, pediatric pads require a different approach to ensure the electrical current flows directly through the heart without the pads touching each other on a small torso.
The Pedi-padz II use an anterior-posterior placement. You must place one pad directly in the center of the child’s bare chest (anterior) and the second pad directly between the child’s shoulder blades on their back (posterior).
Maintenance and Shelf Life Warnings
For facility managers tracking expiration dates, note that ZOLL Pedi-padz II have a 2-year standby shelf life. This is different from the 5-year lifespan of the adult CPR-D Padz.
You must actively monitor these dates to remain compliant. For a complete overview of maintaining your device and tracking expiration cycles, review our Complete Facility Guide to ZOLL AED Plus Maintenance.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should you use ZOLL Pedi-padz II on a patient?
You must use ZOLL Pedi-padz II when treating a pediatric sudden cardiac arrest patient who is under 8 years of age or weighs less than 55 pounds. For older or heavier patients, you must use standard adult electrodes.
You must use ZOLL Pedi-padz II when treating a pediatric sudden cardiac arrest patient who is under 8 years of age or weighs less than 55 pounds. For older or heavier patients, you must use standard adult electrodes.
Do ZOLL Pedi-padz II provide Real CPR Help feedback?
No, ZOLL Pedi-padz II do not include the accelerometer puck required for Real CPR Help. Because pediatric CPR requires different compression depths and techniques, the ZOLL AED Plus disables the audio compression coaching when these pads are connected.
No, ZOLL Pedi-padz II do not include the accelerometer puck required for Real CPR Help. Because pediatric CPR requires different compression depths and techniques, the ZOLL AED Plus disables the audio compression coaching when these pads are connected.
What is the shelf life of ZOLL Pedi-padz II?
ZOLL Pedi-padz II have a standby expiration shelf life of 2 years from the date of manufacture. Facility managers must monitor these expiration dates closely, as they expire much faster than the 5-year adult CPR-D Padz.
ZOLL Pedi-padz II have a standby expiration shelf life of 2 years from the date of manufacture. Facility managers must monitor these expiration dates closely, as they expire much faster than the 5-year adult CPR-D Padz.
Where do you place ZOLL Pedi-padz II on a child?
ZOLL Pedi-padz II require an anterior-posterior placement to prevent the pads from touching on a small torso. Place the front pad squarely in the center of the child’s bare chest, and place the back pad between the shoulder blades on the child’s back.
ZOLL Pedi-padz II require an anterior-posterior placement to prevent the pads from touching on a small torso. Place the front pad squarely in the center of the child’s bare chest, and place the back pad between the shoulder blades on the child’s back.
