How should AED pads be placed on children 8 years or younger or weighing 55 pounds or less?

The placement of AED pads for children aged 8 years or younger or weighing 55 pounds or less is most effectively done by positioning one pad at the right of the sternum and the other pad on the left mid-axillary line. This configuration ensures that the electrical shock delivered by the AED can effectively travel through the heart, maximizing the chances of restoring a normal heart rhythm during cardiac arrest.

Using this placement utilizes the appropriate anatomical landmarks for smaller bodies, allowing the pads to cover a sufficient area of the chest. This can be particularly important in this age group, as they have different body proportions compared to adults, making the adult pad placement less effective or potentially unsafe.

Other options do not provide the same effectiveness in terms of shock delivery. For instance, placing both pads on the lower abdomen or under the armpits would not facilitate the intended heart-focused electrical therapy. Similarly, positioning one pad at the back does not create the necessary circuit through which the electrical current must pass, making it less aligned with the goals of AED application in children.