New research highlights hesitation in giving CPR to women across Kent, Surrey, and Sussex
Awareness campaign urges removal of barriers when responding to women in cardiac arrest
New research from Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS) highlights potential hesitations people face when giving lifesaving CPR to women.
The study, set to be published on 7th October, reveals that concerns about touching or exposing a woman's chest could make bystanders hesitate during emergencies.
According to the survey, over 40% of respondents would be hesitant about starting CPR due to concerns related to a woman's chest or clothing.
Among men surveyed, over half expressed discomfort with removing a woman's bra to position defibrillator pads.
The charity aims to understand these barriers to taking action during cardiac arrest situations and encourages the public to act quickly when witnessing such events.
The campaign message is clear: ‘Don’t let a bra be a barrier to saving a life,’ reminding people that acting swiftly in cardiac emergencies is crucial.
Helen Warren suffered a cardiac arrest in Gatwick Airport last year, she emphasises how cardiac arrests don't discriminate, therefore CPR shouldn't either
"I was all ready to go to Lanzarote, checked in, gone through security, had some lunch and I got up from lunch when they announced the flight, started walking to the gate and that was the last thing that I remember until many hours later, I woke up in the acute cardiac care in St. George's Hospital, surrounded by all my family.
It doesn't discriminate. Don't hesitate whether it's a man or a woman. Just go for it. Because when you've had a cardiac arrest, you're obviously unconscious.
So I was totally unaware of who was doing CPR, and my life was saved"
Dr Hillary Jones MBE, is an ambassador for the charity - he says the statistics are deeply concerning
"They are a concerning read. We know that this results in women having less of a chance of surviving CPR. Now, know, cardiac arrest does not discriminate and nor should the use of CPR. We need everybody who needs CPR to get it straight away.
For every one minute that passes before CPR is started, there's a 10 % less survival. So it's absolutely critical that we forget about gender, we forget about the clothing issue and get straight on with CPR if someone isn't breathing."