When does the crying stop?

So i taught my son to pat his chest while I count. I taught him this originally because I wanted to teach him how to wait, but it has become an amazing life saver in other areas as well. Now in the middle of a crying fit, sometimes I can catch him and we will start counting while he pats his chest and it gives me a second to catch my breath as well. Once again, was an unexpected use, but one I will be teaching my next one as well because it can sometimes turn the moment around. I am sorry though. That is really really wearing and hard when it doesn't stop.