How frequently should a well-organized team performing CPR switch off in providing compressions?

The appropriate interval for a well-organized team performing CPR to switch off in providing compressions is every 2 minutes. This recommendation is based on several key factors related to maintaining the quality and effectiveness of chest compressions during resuscitation efforts.

When performing CPR, it is imperative to keep the quality of chest compressions high, which includes maintaining the correct rate (100 to 120 compressions per minute) and delivering deep compressions to ensure adequate blood flow to vital organs. After approximately 2 minutes of continuous compressions, fatigue can set in, leading to a decline in the force and effectiveness of each compression.

By changing providers every 2 minutes, the team ensures that someone fresh takes over the compressions, thus maintaining the necessary strength and depth, which can significantly impact the likelihood of resuscitation success. This timing also aligns well with the cycle of rhythm checks often performed in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, allowing the team to manage the overall procedure efficiently.

Having clear rotation intervals helps maintain teamwork and minimizes the interruptions in compressions, which is essential since prolonged interruptions can adversely affect survival outcomes. Therefore, switching every 2 minutes is a well-supported practice in CPR protocols.