When an individual collapses outside of the hospital, there will often be another person available to act as a second rescuer. With a second rescuer, the CPR tasks are shared as follows:

• The second person is sent to activate EMS and retrieve an AED if one is readily available. At the same time, the first rescuer begins high-quality CPR.
• When the second rescuer returns, they prepare the AED for use. The first person continues CPR, counting compressions out loud.
• When the AED is open and ready, CPR is discontinued long enough to apply the pads. (See the AED section below.)
• The second rescuer ensures the patient’s airway is open then gives two rescue breaths, each over 1 second.
• The rescuers should switch positions every 2 minutes (5 cycles of 30 compressions) to avoid rescuer fatigue.
• For two-rescuer CPR, the compression to ventilation ratio is 30 compressions to 2 ventilations.
• Once the AED is ready, they stop CPR long enough for the AED to analyze the rhythm.

Two-Person CPR