When should you withhold CPR?

Withholding CPR is appropriate when the scene is unsafe or when the patient exhibits obvious signs of death. In the context of emergency medical services and resuscitation, safety is paramount. If the scene poses a danger to the rescuer or patient, it is crucial to avoid advancing into a situation that could lead to further harm. Additionally, obvious signs of death—such as rigor mortis, decapitation, or putrefaction—indicate that resuscitative efforts would be futile; therefore, CPR should not be initiated in such circumstances.

Evaluating the situation is essential in emergency response, and both safety and the presence of clear indicators of death must guide the decision to withhold CPR. In contrast, the situation where a patient is breathing normally suggests that they do not require CPR, and a patient's expressed wish not to be resuscitated should ideally be supported by advance directives or legal documentation. The consideration of personal exhaustion, while important, does not typically influence the decision to withhold CPR; rather, rescuers should assess whether they can continue or should seek assistance if fatigued.