How often should compressors be switched during CPR cycles?

How often should compressors be switched during CPR cycles?

• A. Every 1 Minute
• B. Every 3 Minutes
• C. Every 2 Minutes
• D. Only When Fatigue Is Noted

Answer: (C)

Maintaining high-quality CPR means keeping chest compressions deep and fast enough, and fatigue quickly lowers that quality. Rotating the rescuer every two minutes gives you a fresh set of arms to push with the required depth and rate, and it minimizes the drop in perfusion that comes from tiring. This two-minute switch also keeps handoffs brief and rhythmic, so interruptions don’t derail the overall effectiveness of the cycle. Switching more often would add unnecessary pauses and disrupt the cadence of compressions, while waiting longer than two minutes lets fatigue degrade depth and recoil, reducing perfusion. Fatigue signs aren’t always obvious, so relying on “not fatigued yet” isn’t reliable. So, the best practice is to switch compressors every two minutes.

Maintaining high-quality CPR means keeping chest compressions deep and fast enough, and fatigue quickly lowers that quality. Rotating the rescuer every two minutes gives you a fresh set of arms to push with the required depth and rate, and it minimizes the drop in perfusion that comes from tiring. This two-minute switch also keeps handoffs brief and rhythmic, so interruptions don’t derail the overall effectiveness of the cycle.

Switching more often would add unnecessary pauses and disrupt the cadence of compressions, while waiting longer than two minutes lets fatigue degrade depth and recoil, reducing perfusion. Fatigue signs aren’t always obvious, so relying on “not fatigued yet” isn’t reliable.

So, the best practice is to switch compressors every two minutes.