How should rescuers coordinate to maintain effective chest compressions when fatigued?

• A. Rotate rescuers every 2 minutes and minimize interruptions
• B. Perform continuous compressions without rotation
• C. Stop after every minute
• D. Rotate every 5 minutes

Answer: (A)

Maintaining effective chest compressions as fatigue sets in hinges on swapping the person delivering compressions while keeping interruptions to a minimum. Fatigue quickly lowers compression depth and rate, which reduces blood flow to the heart and brain. By rotating rescuers every two minutes, the team keeps the person delivering compressions fresh, preserving the necessary depth and rate. At the same time, aiming to minimize pauses ensures coronary and cerebral perfusion isn’t repeatedly disrupted. If you try to push on without rotation, or you pause too often or rotate too slowly (like every five minutes), the quality of compressions drops and perfusion suffers.