How long should you perform CPR before checking for signs of life?

Performing CPR is a critical intervention in situations involving cardiac arrest, and the guidelines emphasize the importance of continuous chest compressions until help arrives or the person shows signs of life. Maintaining a steady rhythm of compressions is essential to keep blood circulating to vital organs, particularly the brain and heart, minimizing the risk of irreversible damage.

The recommended approach is to continue CPR unceasingly until either emergency medical services (EMS) take over or there are observable signs of life, such as the person breathing normally or moving. This approach is based on the understanding that every moment counts in a life-threatening situation, and interruptions should be kept to an absolute minimum to enhance the likelihood of survival and recovery.

Other options suggest fixed times or conditional checks that can lead to unnecessary interruptions in the resuscitation effort, which could compromise the outcome for the individual in distress. By committing to perform CPR until EMS arrives or there are signs of life, the responder maximizes the chances of a positive result.