On which patients should defibrillators not be used?

Defibrillators should not be used on neonates because their physiology and cardiovascular response are significantly different from those of older children and adults. Neonates are infants who are less than 28 days old, and their hearts are still developing. The energy levels used in defibrillation are often inappropriate for their delicate systems, which can lead to further complications or injury rather than assisting in restoring a healthy heartbeat.

For patients outside this category, such as children over 1 year old, adults, or even those who are unconscious from causes other than a cardiac arrest, defibrillators can and often should be utilized as part of the emergency response to cardiac issues. Proper training ensures the correct application of defibrillation across varying patient groups, while neonates require specialized treatment protocols that differ from standard adult practices.