Providers should use the anterior/posterior AED pad placement for a child when the pads would otherwise touch or overlap on the chest in the standard anterior/lateral position, such as with smaller children or when adult pads are being used on a pediatric patient.

Key idea

  • For many children under about 8 years old or under 25 kg, the chest is too small for both pads to fit side‑by‑side on the front without touching.
  • In that situation, one pad is placed on the center of the chest and the other on the back between the shoulder blades (anterior/posterior) so the pads do not overlap and the shock passes through the heart effectively.

Typical pediatric guidance

  • Infants and very small children: anterior/posterior placement is often recommended as the primary method because of the very small chest size.
  • Children when only adult pads are available: use anterior/posterior if placing both on the chest would make them touch.

Simple rule to remember

  • Start with the standard front‑of‑chest placement.
  • If the pads would touch or be too close, switch to anterior/posterior : one in the center of the chest, one on the back between the shoulder blades.

TL;DR: Use anterior/posterior pad placement for a child when the chest is too small for both pads to fit on the front without touching (often younger/smaller children or when using adult pads).