I know I am responding to a very old thread here but the topic is timely and this is one of the few threads that are pulled up in searc discussing AEDs.
A lot has changed since 2002. We were ALL in emergency medicine, let alone first responders, that kids don't go into shockable rhythms and if they arrest it is usually secondary to airway problems.
Every 5 years all the CPR training folks, researchers and docs get together and come up with concensus changes in the CPR standards. This happened in 2000 and again in 2005.
WHile we often get heads up on changes that WILL likely occur at the next cycle but in 30 years I do not remember EVER seeing them say "effective this date" a change would occur. It happened in 2004 and they said we have discovered ( largely by the successful resusitations of kids in NY and PA) that kids DO go into these rhythms and need to be shocked.....
Now there are pediatric modules available for many makes of AEDs and children 1-8 should also be protected with AEDs.
It is so important they say if you do not have pediatric modules available you should use an adult model. These devices are so very important, I will be happy to answer any questions about the liability ( there is none), costs, features funding suggestions, grants....
