Broselow Tape Alternatives: Comparing Pediatape, Handtevy and Dose by Growth

The 2025 Broselow Tape recalls have left healthcare facilities searching for reliable alternatives. With the original revision recalled in May 2025 for defibrillation and medication errors, and the "corrected" revision also recalled in December 2025 for additional dosing mistakes, facilities need dependable pediatric emergency reference tools - and they need them now.

This article compares three options: Pediatape, Handtevy, and Dose By Growth. We'll examine their approaches, comprehensiveness, and the research supporting different weight estimation methodologies.

What to Look For in a Broselow Tape Alternative

When evaluating pediatric emergency tape alternatives, healthcare facilities should consider:

1. 
   Compatibility: Does it use the same color-coded zones as the original, non-defective, Broselow tapes? This ensures compatibility with existing color-coded equipment and protocols.
   
   
2. Comprehensiveness: Does it include all the medications, concentrations, and equipment sizes you need?
   
   
3. Training Requirements: Can staff start using it immediately, or does it require additional training?
   
   
4. Weight Estimation Methodology: Does it use a length-based or age-based approach? (Research strongly favors length-based medication as the most helpful.)
   
   
5. Track Record: Has the product been previously recalled or had errors?
   
   
6. Cost and Availability: Is it affordable and readily available?
   
   
   

Why Length-Based Weight Estimation is the Gold Standard
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Before comparing specific products, it's important to understand why length-based weight estimation is considered superior to age-based methods - a distinction that's central to evaluating these alternatives.

What the Research ShowsThe Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) guidelines recommend length-based resuscitation tapes as more accurate than age-based methods for weight estimation (Class IIa, Level of Evidence C). This recommendation is supported by substantial research:​

• A systematic review and meta-analysis published in the International Journal of Emergency Medicine found that the Broselow tape (PW10 55.6%) significantly outperformed age-based estimates, which achieved "very low accuracy." The authors concluded that "the use of age-based formulas should be abandoned because of their poor accuracy."
  
  
• A follow-up meta-analysis focusing on developing countries was even more emphatic, stating that "age-based formulas should be abandoned in low- and middle-income country populations as they are potentially dangerously inaccurate."
  
  
• Research in the Annals of Emergency Medicine found that the Broselow tape had much tighter limits of agreement (SD 3.8 kg) than age-based formulas like APLS (SD 5.5 kg), noting that "in clinical practice, precision is more important than accuracy."
  ​
• Multiple validation studies have demonstrated that length correlates more reliably with weight than age across diverse populations.
  
  

Why Age-Based Methods Fall ShortThe fundamental problem with age-based weight estimation is the significant variation in weight among children of the same age. A group of five-year-olds, for example, can vary dramatically in weight due to:
​

• Genetic factors and body composition
  
  
• Nutritional status
  
  
• Underlying medical conditions
  
  
• Geographic and socioeconomic factors
  
  
• The obesity epidemic (affecting approximately 17% of U.S. children)

​Side-by-Side Product Comparison

Feature	Pediatape	Handtevy	Dose by Growth
Format	Physical tape	Mobile app + physical tape	Physical tape
Primary Method	Length-based	Age-first (hybrid)	Length-based
Broselow Color Zones	Yes – fully compatible	Yes – compatible	Yes – fully compatible
Price	$25.99	Enterprise subscription (custom pricing)	$29.00
Individual Purchase	Yes	No – organizational only	Yes
Training Required	None	Yes – certification recommended	None
Recall History	None in 15 years	None reported	None reported
Current PALS	2020 PALS (2026 version coming March 2026)	2020 PALS	2024 PALS
Technology Dependency	None	Requires charged device	None
Medication Dosing on Tape	Yes – mL dosing for standard concentrations	Via app	Yes
Equipment Sizing	Yes	Yes (via app)	Yes
EHR Integration	No	Yes	No
Best For	Direct Broselow replacement with zero transition	Large EMS systems wanting integrated digital platform	EMS agencies wanting updated PALS with visual aids

Detailed Product Comparisons

Pediatape: The Complete 1-to-1 Replacement

Pediatape was designed from the ground up to be a direct, drop-in replacement for the Broselow Tape. Since 2011, Pediatape has served as the primary alternative to the Broselow Tape and has been sold by major medical distributors including Bound Tree Medical, Life-Assist, Health Care Logistics, Pocket Nurse, DiaMedical, Medical Warehouse, Pacific Biomedical, and Savelives.com/Common Cents EMS Supply.

Key Advantages:

One argument made for age-based systems like Handtevy is that EMS can begin preparation when they learn the patient's age during dispatch. However, this argument doesn't favor Handtevy over Pediatape:

For facilities seeking a reliable Broselow Tape alternative after the 2025 recalls, Pediatape stands out as the clear choice:

• Complete Compatibility: Contains every medication, concentration, and equipment size found on the Broselow Tape, plus additional medications and concentrations not found on competing products.
  
  
• Additional Training not Required: Healthcare professionals familiar with the Broselow Tape can immediately use Pediatape. It’s the same color zones, same drugs, same dosing methodology.
  
  
• Proven Reliability: In 15 years of business, Pediatape has never had a recall or error. This track record stands in stark contrast to the Broselow Tape's two recalls in 2025 alone.
  
  
• Easier to Read: Pediatape uses an alphabetical format for medications, making it faster to locate specific drugs during emergencies.
  
  
• mL Dosing: Pediatape was the first pediatric resuscitation tape to introduce mL dosing for standard concentrations, reducing calculation errors.
  
  
• Age Ranges Included: Each color zone includes age ranges, allowing for pre-arrival preparation when age is known - directly addressing one of Handtevy's claimed advantages.
  
  
• Best Value: At $25.99 per tape ($119.99 for a 5-pack), Pediatape offers more comprehensive coverage at a lower price point than competitors.
  
  
• Flexible Options: For organizations that prefer app-based dosing workflows, Pediatape also offers the Quicktape - a portable color-coded length tape ($9.99) that provides the child's weight zone for use with external dosing apps or references. This gives teams the accuracy of length-based measurement while supporting whatever digital tools they prefer.

Handtevy: A Different Approach

​Developed by Dr. Peter Antevy in 2010, the Handtevy System takes a fundamentally different approach to pediatric emergency care. Rather than a simple reference tape, Handtevy is an enterprise mobile application platform that uses an age-first methodology.

How Handtevy Works:
Handtevy recommends obtaining the patient's age first (often during dispatch or en route) to begin preparation before arrival. The system can display medication dosing, equipment sizes, and protocols based on age or weight, with customization to match organizational formularies.
​
Considerations:

• Training Required: Handtevy requires CAPCE-accredited training courses for proper implementation. This represents a significant time and resource investment.
  
  
• Enterprise Purchase and Price: The Handtevy mobile app is not available for individual purchase - it requires an organizational subscription with custom enterprise pricing. This may be prohibitive for smaller agencies or facilities, and represents a fundamentally different cost model than a one-time tape purchase.
  
  
• Age-First Methodology: While Handtevy argues that age-first allows pre-arrival preparation, this same capability exists with Pediatape's age ranges printed on each zone. The difference is that Pediatape still relies on the research-backed length measurement for final weight estimation, while Handtevy's primary method is age-based. Research has shown that age-based systems achieve "very low accuracy" compared to length-based methods.
  
  
• Technology Dependency: As a mobile app, Handtevy requires functioning devices, battery power, and potentially connectivity. Physical tapes work in any environment. More practically, expecting clinicians to use personal smartphones during a pediatric resuscitation raises real concerns: blood and bodily fluids on personal devices, infection control issues (phones are notoriously contaminated), fumbling with passwords or cracked screens under stress, and the simple awkwardness of handling a phone mid-resuscitation versus a tape laid directly beside the patient. A physical tape eliminates these barriers entirely.

Dose By Growth: EMS-Focused but Limited

Produced by Mila Medical, Dose By Growth is a length-based tape that uses Broselow-compatible color zones. It comes in two versions: an EMS Standard version and a PALS version.

​Considerations:

• Limited Medication Coverage: The EMS Standard version intentionally includes only paramedic-scope medications. This means it omits many hospital medications found on both the Broselow Tape and Pediatape. Facilities needing comprehensive coverage must purchase the separate PALS version.
  
  
• Separate Products for Different Settings: Unlike Pediatape, which provides comprehensive coverage in one product, Dose By Growth requires purchasing different versions for EMS vs. hospital use.
  
  
• Higher Price Point: At $29.00 per tape, Dose By Growth costs more than Pediatape ($25.99) while offering less comprehensive medication coverage.
  
  
• Visual Aids: Dose By Growth includes some visual aids like burn charts and pain scales. However, these additional features don't compensate for the reduced medication coverage.

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Addressing the "Pre-Arrival Preparation" Argument

Addressing the "Pre-Arrival Preparation" Argument

One argument made for age-based systems like Handtevy is that EMS can begin preparation when they learn the patient's age during dispatch. However, this argument doesn't favor Handtevy over Pediatape:

1. Pediatape includes age ranges: Each color zone on Pediatape displays the corresponding age range. When dispatched to "a 4-year-old," crews can immediately identify the White zone and begin preparation.
   
   
2. Length measurement at patient contact: Upon arrival, the length-based measurement provides a more accurate final weight estimate than age alone. Research confirms that "in clinical practice precision is more important than accuracy."
3. Best of both worlds: Pediatape allows age-based preparation while maintaining the research-backed accuracy of length-based final dosing.
   

Summary: Why Pediatape is the Best Broselow Tape Replacement

For facilities seeking a reliable Broselow Tape alternative after the 2025 recalls, Pediatape stands out as the clear choice:

• True 1-to-1 replacement: All Broselow medications, concentrations, and equipment - plus more
• Proven reliability: 15 years, zero recalls, zero errors
• Research-backed methodology: Length-based weight estimation as recommended by PALS guidelines
• No training required: Staff can transition immediately
• Comprehensive coverage: One product for EMS and hospital settings
• Best value: More complete at a lower price
• Immediate availability: In stock and shipping now through major medical distributors

Don't wait until Q2 2026 for a corrected Broselow Tape. Pediatape is available now:

Get Pediatape Today

• Single Pediatape: $25.99
• 5-Pack: $119.99
• Free shipping in the U.S.

Purchase directly at www.pediatape.com or from our distributors:
Bound Tree Medical, Life-Assist, Health Care Logistics, Pocket Nurse, DiaMedical, Medical Warehouse, Pacific Biomedical, and Savelives.com/Common Cents EMS Supply.
Questions? Contact us at [email protected]

References
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1. FDA. (2025). Broselow Pediatric Emergency Rainbow Tape Recall. U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
   
   
2. Health Canada. (2025). Broselow Pediatric Emergency Rainbow Tape Recall. Government of Canada.
   
   
3. Wells, M., Goldstein, L., & Bentley, A. (2017). The accuracy of emergency weight estimation systems in children - a systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Emergency Medicine, 10(1), 29.
   
   
4. Wells, M., et al. (2018). A systematic review and meta-analysis of the accuracy of weight estimation systems used in paediatric emergency care in developing countries. African Journal of Emergency Medicine, 8(4), 158-168.
   
   
5. Cattermole, G.N. (2013). Pediatric Weight Estimation. Annals of Emergency Medicine, 62(1), 107.
   
   
6. Rappaport, L.D., et al. (2014). Comparison of a Hybrid Pediatric Weight Estimation Method (Handtevy) to the Broselow Length-Based Tape. Annals of Emergency Medicine, 64(4), S108.
   
   
7. Koirala, P., et al. (2020). Accuracy of Broselow tape in estimating the weight of the child for management of pediatric emergencies in Nepalese population. International Journal of Emergency Medicine, 13, 7.
   
   
8. ANZCOR. (2020). Guideline 12.2 – Paediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS). Australian and New Zealand Committee on Resuscitation.
   
   

ENA Connect. (2025). 
Broselow™ Pediatric Emergency Tape, 2025 Edition Discussion. Emergency Nurses Association.