An implantable medical device (IMD) configured to communicate with another IMD that is remotely located relative to the IMD , the IMD comprising: at least two electrodes ; a conductive communication transceiver coupled to the at least two electrodes and configured to selectively transmit conductive communication messages that are intended for the other IMD , and configured to receive conductive communication messages from the other IMD ; an antenna ; a radio frequency (RF) communication transceiver coupled to the antenna and configured to selectively transmit RF communication messages that are intended for the other IMD , and configured to receive RF communication messages from the other IMD ; and a controller , characterized in that the controller is configured to control the conductive communication transceiver to transmit one or more conductive communication messages intended for the other IMD during a first period of time that a first trigger event is not detected; detect the first trigger event, and in response thereto, control the RF communication transceiver to transmit one or more RF communication messages intended for the other IMD during a second period of time; and detect a second trigger event, and in response thereto, control the conductive communication transceiver to transmit one or more conductive communication messages intended for the other IMD during a third period of time; wherein during the first period of time and the third period of time the RF communication transceiver is not used to transmit any RF communication messages intended for the other IMD . at least two electrodes ; a conductive communication transceiver coupled to the at least two electrodes and configured to selectively transmit conductive communication messages that are intended for the other IMD , and configured to receive conductive communication messages from the other IMD ; an antenna ; a radio frequency (RF) communication transceiver coupled to the antenna and configured to selectively transmit RF communication messages that are intended for the other IMD , and configured to receive RF communication messages from the other IMD ; and a controller , characterized in that the controller is configured to control the conductive communication transceiver to transmit one or more conductive communication messages intended for the other IMD during a first period of time that a first trigger event is not detected; detect the first trigger event, and in response thereto, control the RF communication transceiver to transmit one or more RF communication messages intended for the other IMD during a second period of time; and detect a second trigger event, and in response thereto, control the conductive communication transceiver to transmit one or more conductive communication messages intended for the other IMD during a third period of time; control the conductive communication transceiver to transmit one or more conductive communication messages intended for the other IMD during a first period of time that a first trigger event is not detected; detect the first trigger event, and in response thereto, control the RF communication transceiver to transmit one or more RF communication messages intended for the other IMD during a second period of time; and detect a second trigger event, and in response thereto, control the conductive communication transceiver to transmit one or more conductive communication messages intended for the other IMD during a third period of time; wherein during the first period of time and the third period of time the RF communication transceiver is not used to transmit any RF communication messages intended for the other IMD . <EOS>