When should CPR be stopped?

CPR should ideally be stopped when certified help arrives. The arrival of trained medical personnel, such as paramedics or emergency medical technicians, signifies that individuals with the appropriate expertise and equipment are now available to take over care. This transition is crucial because professional rescuers can then use advanced life-support techniques and necessary medical interventions that laypersons are not equipped to perform.

While it is also important to consider factors like the patient's response during CPR and the rescuer's fatigue, the definitive point to stop CPR occurs when trained professionals take over the scene. This ensures continuity of care and maximizes the patient's chances for survival, as they can provide ongoing assessment and treatment immediately.