What is an acceptable reason to stop CPR?

An acceptable reason to stop CPR is when you notice an obvious sign of life. This includes any clear indicators that the person is breathing normally or has a pulse. Recognizing these signs indicates that the person may be recovering or no longer needs CPR, making it appropriate to cease resuscitation efforts. The priority in a CPR scenario is to restore effective breathing and circulation, so any sign that the individual is starting to function normally justifies stopping the procedure.

While other scenarios may influence decisions about whether to continue CPR, they do not meet the criteria for stopping in a life-saving context. For example, exhaustion alone is not a sufficient reason unless someone else is available to take over. Similarly, being instructed to stop without just cause is not typically acceptable unless it follows the appearance of life signs or if emergency professional help arrives and takes over care.