In a two-person rescue, should chest compressions stop while the AED is being set up?

In a two-person rescue scenario, chest compressions should not stop while the AED is being set up. Continuous chest compressions are critical for maintaining blood flow to vital organs, especially the brain and heart, during a cardiac arrest. Interruptions in compressions can significantly reduce the chances of survival.

The two-person approach allows one rescuer to set up the AED while the other continues to perform compressions. This strategy ensures that the victim receives the necessary blood circulation until the AED is ready to analyze the heart rhythm and deliver a shock if indicated. Once the AED is set up, there may be prompts that require pauses for rhythm analysis or shock delivery, but until that point, compressions should continue uninterrupted.

Maintaining compressions throughout the rescue process maximizes the effectiveness of CPR and improves outcomes for the victim, as any delay can be detrimental to their survival chances.