If an AED does not have a child dose shock available for a child, what should be done?

When an AED does not have a child dose shock available, delivering an adult dose shock is the appropriate action. AEDs are designed to provide a shock that can be effective for both adults and children over a certain age or weight threshold, typically around 8 years old or 55 pounds. In situations where a pediatric dose is not available, using the adult setting can still be life-saving. The rationale behind this is that prompt defibrillation is critical in cases of cardiac arrest, and using the available adult shock is better than delaying intervention or relying solely on CPR.

The essential principle in these emergency situations is to provide the best possible chance for successful resuscitation, and if an adult dose is the only option, it should be utilized immediately while continuing to provide high-quality CPR until more advanced help arrives or an appropriate pediatric AED becomes available.