If EMS personnel arrive while you are performing CPR, what is the best response?

Continuing CPR until told otherwise is the best response when EMS personnel arrive. By maintaining chest compressions, you ensure that the patient receives ongoing circulatory support during a critical moment. The guidelines emphasize the importance of not interrupting CPR unnecessarily, as even brief pauses can significantly reduce the chances of survival. High-quality, continuous chest compressions facilitate blood flow to vital organs and improve outcomes for the patient.

While assisting EMS workers and handing over care may seem like appropriate actions, they should only occur once the trained personnel have established themselves and indicated their readiness to take over. Stopping immediately without direction can result in a lapse in care, which is detrimental in an emergency situation. Thus, continuing CPR until instructed to stop or until the professionals assume control is essential for maximizing the patient's chances of recovery.