37.9. In which case should cardiopulmonary resuscitation be stopped in casualties?
UAВ якому випадку слід припинити проведення серцево-легеневої реанімації у постраждалих?
Question without image
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns first aid at the scene of a road traffic accident and is directly related to road safety. The theoretical test checks not only knowledge of signs or maneuvers, but also the ability to act correctly when a victim’s life depends on the driver: hesitation or incorrect decisions during cardiopulmonary resuscitation can be very costly.
The question tests the requirements of Section 2 of the Traffic Rules, specifically clause 2.10 "Duties and rights of drivers" in case of involvement in a traffic accident: the driver must take possible measures to provide first aid and ensure that an ambulance is called. In this context, it is important to understand the logic of CPR: it is performed when there is no consciousness and normal breathing, and it is stopped when the goal is achieved and signs of life appear, that is, when independent breathing is restored, consciousness returns, or other obvious signs of "revival" are observed.
Options with fixed intervals of 15 or 30 minutes are misleading: time itself is not the main criterion for stopping resuscitation measures in the wording of this question. Within the educational logic of the traffic rules and the examination standards of the TSC, the decisive factor is precisely the appearance of signs of life, since continuing compressions after breathing and consciousness have been restored is already dangerous and inappropriate. After vital functions are restored, the casualty should be placed in a safe stable position and monitored until medical personnel arrive.
Clause 2.10 (Section 2 "Duties and Rights of Drivers", duties of the driver in case of involvement in a traffic accident)
In case of involvement in a traffic accident, the driver is obliged, in particular, to take possible measures to provide pre-medical aid to the victims, call (or ensure the call of) emergency medical assistance, and, if necessary, take measures to transport the victims to a healthcare facility.
Brief application: the question checks the "pre-medical aid" component within the driver's duties in the event of a traffic accident (clause 2.10), namely — the correctness of actions during resuscitation measures and the moment of their termination upon the restoration of vital functions.
Clause 1.10 (the term "Traffic accident")
A traffic accident is an event that occurred during the movement of a vehicle, as a result of which people were killed or injured, or material damage was caused.
Brief application: links the situation of providing pre-medical aid (including CPR) to the event of a traffic accident, within which special duties of the driver under clause 2.10 of the Traffic Rules are activated.
That is, the correct answer is "The appearance of signs of life (breathing, consciousness).", given that according to the requirements of the Traffic Rules, the driver in the event of a traffic accident is obliged to take possible measures to provide pre-medical aid to the victims, and the termination of CPR is justified precisely upon the restoration of vital functions (the appearance of signs of life).
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is necessary when the victim is unconscious and there is no normal breathing, meaning the body is essentially not supplying itself with oxygen and circulation. In such a situation, resuscitation actions are performed without delay and without unnecessary pauses, as every interruption reduces the chances of restoring vital functions.
During CPR, it is important to constantly assess whether there are signs of its effectiveness. The most obvious indicators for a driver-rescuer at the scene are the appearance of spontaneous breathing, return of consciousness, as well as other signs of "revival" (for example, normalization of skin color). The appearance of such signs means that the goal of CPR has been achieved: the body has started to function independently again.
Imagine a typical road situation: a person is lying unconscious, you have started compressions and artificial ventilation. If after some time the victim begins to breathe on their own, opens their eyes, responds to being addressed, or clearly "regains consciousness," you must not continue compressions, as this will no longer be helpful—it will be unnecessary intervention. After the restoration of vital functions, the victim should be placed in a safe position and their condition monitored until medical personnel arrive.
It is important to understand the logic of the exam wording: the question is specifically about when CPR should be stopped. The determining factor is not the passage of time, but the fact of the return of signs of life. Time guidelines may be mentioned in training, but in the TSC answers, the key criterion for stopping is the appearance of signs of life.
Thus, the correct answer is "The appearance of signs of life (breathing, consciousness)," since CPR is performed until the victim begins to show independent vital functions, and then the need for resuscitation actions disappears.