Under what circumstances should CPR be stopped?

CPR should be stopped when an emergency medical technician (EMT) arrives and takes over the care of the patient. This is because EMTs are professionals trained to handle emergency situations, and they bring advanced skills and equipment to continue providing care. When an EMT is on the scene, they will assess the situation and assume responsibility for the patient, ensuring that the individual receives the most appropriate and effective care possible.

In scenarios where the rescuer is fatigued, while it is important for rescuers to be in adequate physical condition to perform CPR effectively, that should not be a reason to stop if there are no alternative providers. The availability of an automated external defibrillator (AED) does not dictate the cessation of CPR; rather, it should be used in conjunction with continued CPR until the AED is ready to deliver a shock or until EMS personnel arrive. If a patient regains consciousness, CPR should be stopped, but this does not generally apply in early CPR situations when they are initially unresponsive.

Therefore, the arrival of an EMT signifies a transition to a higher level of care and is the appropriate point to cease CPR efforts.