Final answer:
In CPR, rescuers should switch every two minutes to maintain high-quality compressions, which are essential to keep blood flowing to the brain and prevent caregiver fatigue. Proper training is crucial for effective and safe CPR administration.
Step-by-step explanation:
When performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), it's recommended to switch rescuers every two minutes, or after about 5 cycles of 30 compressions and 2 breaths if there are two rescuers present. One of the main reasons to switch rescuers during CPR is to prevent fatigue, which can diminish the effectiveness of compressions. High-quality chest compressions require substantial physical effort and maintaining a rate of 100 compressions per minute is critical for the patient's survival.
Properly performed CPR can propel blood into the systemic and pulmonary circuits, being crucial for brain health, as neurons can suffer irreversible damage within minutes of a loss of blood flow. Hence, it is vital to maintain the deepness and rate of compressions as consistent as possible until professional medical help arrives or the patient recovers. Training is essential to execute this lifesaving technique correctly, as improper CPR can cause severe injuries to the patient.