System and method for distinguishing manual from automated CPR

A system for use during the administration of CPR chest compressions and defibrillating shock on a cardiac arrest victim, said system comprising:

• a chest compression monitor comprising a motion sensor operable to provide motion signals indicative of motion of cardiac arrest victim's chest during CPR chest compressions;
• defibrillation electrodes and an associated defibrillator;
• a control system operable to receive and interpret ECG signals from the electrodes to determine if electrotherapy is indicated, and operate the defibrillator to deliver electrotherapy through the electrodes and receive and interpret motion signals from the chest compression monitor to determine a compression waveform representative of the chest compressions experienced by the cardiac arrest victim;
• wherein the control system is programmed to be further operable to interpret the compression waveform from the motion sensor and determine a source of chest compressions based on one or more compression waveform characteristics, and control delivery of electrotherapy based on the determined source of chest compressions;
• and
• wherein the control system is further operable to prohibit delivery of electrotherapy when the compression waveform is indicative of manual CPR chest compressions, but allow delivery of electrotherapy when the compression waveform is indicative of compressions provided by a chest compression device.