New female mannequins introduced for CPR training in East Midlands
Donations enhance CPR training inclusivity and realism
New mannequins have been introduced by East Midlands Ambulance Service to improve inclusivity in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training provided to the public.
These mannequins, funded by donations to the EMAS Charitable Fund, address the disparity in CPR survival rates among women experiencing cardiac arrests outside of hospitals.
According to research by the British Heart Foundation, women suffering a cardiac arrest outside of hospital settings are less likely to receive CPR from bystanders than men.
The research highlights uncertainties among potential responders regarding hand placement and concerns about causing harm or discomfort when administering CPR to women.
To address these issues, East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) has introduced mannequins that better represent a woman's anatomy, thus aiming to normalise delivering chest compressions to women.
These new mannequins are designed to boost confidence and shorten CPR response times before emergency services arrive.
EMAS technician Maisie Stimson, who advocated for the inclusion of female body mannequins, emphasised that this initiative reflects the diverse population they care for and enhances realism in training schools and community events.
Maisie said: “After teaching CPR at community events like Pride, it became clear that the training equipment didn’t reflect the people we care for. While we have a range of CPR mannequins, including different sizes and skin tones, we didn’t have any that represented the female anatomy.”
“The new mannequins will help our teams deliver more realistic training in schools and at community events.”
“A cardiac arrest can happen to anyone and acting quickly can save a life. By improving awareness and confidence within our communities, we hope to encourage more people to step forward and act in an emergency.”
EMAS Charitable Fund, a registered charity, provided the funding for these mannequins, made possible by public donations.
Jeff Worrall, Chair of EMAS and EMAS Charitable Fund, expressed gratitude to the donors: “Thank you to everyone who has donated to EMAS Charitable Fund. Your support is directly helping to improve training and support lifesaving care across our communities.
"With the investment in new CPR mannequins, we’re able address a known issue that impacts women’s survival rates following a cardiac arrest.”
This charitable fund contributes to projects enhancing patient care and staff experience beyond core NHS funding, supporting the procurement of equipment and initiatives that elevate care quality.