When do you stop giving compressions?

When do you stop giving compressions?

• A. The patient starts breathing spontaneously
• B. Once the person regains consciousness or after 30 minutes
• C. You become tired
• D. The nurse arrives to take over

Answer: (B)

Stopping chest compressions is based on clear end-points that indicate a return of life or a practical limit to the effort. The best stopping point is when the person regains consciousness or shows signs of life (return of spontaneous circulation). In many training scenarios, if no signs of life appear and a prolonged effort has been made, a defined time limit—often about 30 minutes—has passed, it’s considered reasonable to stop and reassess. This provides a concrete boundary that helps rescuers avoid continuing CPR without a reasonable chance of success. Other triggers like simply feeling tired or waiting for someone else to arrive are less definitive in practice. You typically continue CPR until someone with higher training takes over or until a recognized end-point (life signs appear or a time limit with no ROSC has been reached).

Stopping chest compressions is based on clear end-points that indicate a return of life or a practical limit to the effort. The best stopping point is when the person regains consciousness or shows signs of life (return of spontaneous circulation). In many training scenarios, if no signs of life appear and a prolonged effort has been made, a defined time limit—often about 30 minutes—has passed, it’s considered reasonable to stop and reassess. This provides a concrete boundary that helps rescuers avoid continuing CPR without a reasonable chance of success.

Other triggers like simply feeling tired or waiting for someone else to arrive are less definitive in practice. You typically continue CPR until someone with higher training takes over or until a recognized end-point (life signs appear or a time limit with no ROSC has been reached).