How long should CPR be continued if breathing is not restored?

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a critical life-saving procedure performed when a person’s heart has stopped beating and they are not breathing. The effectiveness of CPR can greatly increase the chances of survival, and it's important to know how long to continue these efforts.

The correct duration for performing CPR is until emergency medical services (EMS) arrive on the scene. This is because trained EMS personnel will have the equipment and training to continue advanced life support, which goes beyond standard CPR techniques. They can utilize technology and medications that can assist in stabilizing the patient’s condition.

Continuing CPR until EMS arrives ensures that no time is wasted in providing necessary care. It maximizes the likelihood of a successful resuscitation. In situations where a person becomes unresponsive and is not breathing, maintaining continuous CPR can keep blood flowing to vital organs until further help arrives, thus providing the best chance of survival for the patient.

Other choices do not provide the same level of urgency and support for life-saving efforts. For example, waiting until the patient wakes up is not practical since this may not happen in a life-threatening situation. Likewise, specifying a fixed time like 10 minutes ignores the variability of each emergency situation. The suggestion of continuing CPR until