During CPR, how often should you switch providers to minimize fatigue?

Switching providers every two minutes is the recommended practice during CPR to minimize provider fatigue and maintain high-quality chest compressions. Continuous and effective chest compressions are vital for maintaining blood circulation and oxygenation to vital organs during cardiac arrest.

Every two minutes allows the incoming provider enough time to understand the rhythm and rate of compressions before taking over while giving the current provider a chance to recover for a moment. This interval, along with consistent training and practice, also helps ensure that the transition is smooth, allowing for minimal interruption in compressions, which is crucial for patient outcomes.

While switching providers as needed may seem practical in some scenarios, in a standard CPR protocol, having a defined time interval like two minutes helps maintain consistency and is easier to remember during high-stress situations. Therefore, establishing a routine helps ensure that rescuers are not fatigued, which could compromise the efficacy of the CPR being performed.