Final answer:
CPR in the wilderness should be stopped when the patient's pulse returns. Misconceptions about the duration of CPR, such as stopping after 15 minutes, or ceasing because of conditions like a lightning strike or a history of heart disease should not dictate when to stop CPR before a pulse is detected or medical professionals arrive.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the wilderness, CPR should be discontinued when one of the following occurs: 1) The patient's pulse returns, indicating that the heart has resumed beating and blood is circulating. This is a clear sign of potentially successful resuscitation. In some cases, such as after a lightning strike, the heartbeat may return to normal once the shock ends. It's crucial here to not be hasty in stopping CPR without proper assessment of the pulse. 4) A patient with a history of heart disease doesn't impact when to stop CPR; thus, this is not a valid reason to cease resuscitative efforts.
Under no circumstances should you stop CPR just because it has been 15 minutes -- 2) "It doesn't work after 15 minutes" is a misconception. Additionally, 3) being struck by lightning or having a history of heart disease are not conditions that should lead to the cessation of CPR before the return of a pulse or the arrival of medical professionals. Importantly, obtaining proper training and following current CPR guidelines can prevent additional injury to the patient.
CPR is a critical life-saving technique that requires correct application. This includes proper hand placement and compression depth and rate, which can significantly increase a patient's survival chances after cardiac arrest, especially if initiated promptly and effectively. In wilderness scenarios, it is particularly important to provide high-quality chest compressions until professional help is available or the patient shows clear signs of recovery.