Why should child pads not be applied to patients 8 years old and older?

The rationale for avoiding the use of child pads on patients eight years old and older is primarily related to the energy levels appropriate for defibrillation. Child pads are designed to deliver a lower amount of energy, suitable for the smaller body mass and heart size of younger children. When applied to older children or adults, the energy delivered may be insufficient to effectively defibrillate a larger heart, potentially reducing the chances of successful resuscitation.

As children grow, their physiological characteristics, including heart size and overall body mass, approach those of adults. Consequently, using pads meant for children on older patients might not provide enough energy to achieve the desired therapeutic effect during a cardiac event. Hence, it is critical to use adult pads for patients who are eight years old and older to ensure the energy levels are sufficient for successful defibrillation.