The act of alternating roles during cardiopulmonary resuscitation is a critical component of effective resuscitation efforts. This practice ensures that individual rescuers do not become fatigued, which can compromise the quality and consistency of chest compressions and ventilations. The recommended interval for these role changes is approximately every two minutes, or about five cycles of 30 compressions and two breaths.
Frequent changes in rescuer roles mitigate physical exhaustion, preventing a decline in the depth and rate of chest compressions. Consistent, high-quality chest compressions are directly linked to improved patient outcomes during cardiac arrest. Furthermore, switching roles allows for a reassessment of the situation, ensuring adherence to established protocols and optimizing the effectiveness of the resuscitation team.
