No, you cannot simply stop giving CPR any time you want to once it has been started, as doing so without valid reasons is generally considered gross negligence and can lead to a loss of legal protections. While not an explicit criminal act in every scenario, it removes the immunity that typically shields rescuers, potentially opening them up to legal liability.
Administering CPR is a serious intervention, and initiating it creates a commitment to continue until it is appropriate to stop. Abandoning the victim without a legitimate reason after starting resuscitation efforts can have significant legal implications.
Understanding the Legal Framework
When a bystander steps in to provide CPR, they are often protected by specific laws designed to encourage aid without fear of lawsuits. However, these protections are not absolute.
- Good Samaritan Laws: These state-specific laws generally shield individuals who voluntarily help an injured or ill person in an emergency from liability, provided they act reasonably and in good faith. However, if a rescuer acts with gross negligence or willful misconduct, these protections typically do not apply. Stopping CPR arbitrarily falls under gross negligence.
- Federal Cardiac Arrest Survival Act (2000): This federal law provides immunity from legal liability for bystanders who administer CPR and use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) during a cardiac arrest. Crucially, this immunity also includes an explicit exception for acts of gross negligence. If you stop CPR without a valid reason, you are no longer immune from legal liability under this act.
| Legal Protection | Condition for Protection | Exception for Loss of Protection |
|---|---|---|
| Good Samaritan Laws | Acting reasonably and in good faith | Gross negligence or willful misconduct |
| Federal Cardiac Arrest Survival Act | Administering CPR/using AED during cardiac arrest | Gross negligence |
When Is It Permissible to Stop CPR?
While stopping CPR without cause is problematic, there are specific, legitimate circumstances under which a rescuer can and should discontinue efforts:
- Arrival of Professional Medical Help: Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel, such as paramedics or EMTs, are trained to take over care. Once they arrive on the scene and assume responsibility, you should stop CPR and allow them to continue.
- Signs of Life: If the person revives, begins breathing normally, and shows clear signs of consciousness, CPR should be stopped.
- Exhaustion or Danger: If the rescuer becomes physically unable to continue CPR effectively due to exhaustion, or if the scene becomes unsafe (e.g., fire, collapsing structure, active threat), it is permissible to stop. Rescuer safety is paramount.
- Physician Order or DNR: If a valid "Do Not Resuscitate" (DNR) order is presented by a healthcare professional, or if a physician on the scene directs discontinuation of CPR, efforts should cease.
- Pronouncement of Death: Only a qualified medical professional can officially declare a person deceased. Once this occurs, CPR efforts can be stopped.
It's critical to understand that "simply stopping when you want to" without meeting one of these criteria constitutes a breach of the duty of care established by initiating CPR.
In summary, once you start CPR, you are expected to continue until a legitimate reason arises for discontinuation. Abandoning efforts due to gross negligence can lead to significant legal consequences, as it removes the very protections designed to encourage bystander intervention.
