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A concerning study has uncovered that one out of every three individuals hesitates to administer CPR to women due to fears of touching their breasts. Similarly, 33% of men express concerns about being accused of inappropriate behavior when performing chest compressions.
In a survey conducted by St John Ambulance involving 1,000 UK adults, some participants admitted they would be hesitant to provide life-saving CPR to a woman in need.
The first aid organization has strongly emphasized that this societal taboo is endangering women by increasing the risk of fatality from cardiac arrest. St John Ambulance asserts that irrespective of gender, CPR should be promptly administered to anyone in need without hesitation.
Despite being in 2025, the charity felt compelled to reiterate that “Every body is the same” and that CPR should be administered uniformly to all individuals. Previous studies have shown that only 68% of women receive bystander CPR compared to 73% of men.
St John Ambulance is urging the public to acquire CPR skills, emphasizing that the technique should be applied equally to both genders. The charity questions why women should have lower chances of survival simply because of societal discomfort with female anatomy.
The survey findings took a more alarming turn when it was revealed that fewer men felt comfortable using a defibrillator, as the pads must be placed on bare skin on the chest. Hearing this instruction, 38% of respondents acknowledged feeling increased discomfort.
Nearly half of male participants (46%) expressed discomfort at the prospect of using a defibrillator on a woman, knowing it might require removing her clothing, including a bra, compared to 31% of female respondents.
Utilizing a defibrillator promptly can significantly enhance survival rates during a cardiac arrest, potentially increasing chances of survival by up to 70% if used within the first three minutes.
A survey revealed that 23% of respondents are less inclined to administer CPR to a woman in a public setting compared to a man. However, 64% indicated that their comfort levels would improve with proper support and training.
It is disheartening to consider that reluctance to save a woman’s life stems from embarrassment or fear of physical contact. The importance of prioritizing life-saving actions over discomfort cannot be overstated, and gender should not influence the decision to provide CPR.
Societal attitudes must evolve, and individuals, especially men, need to recognize the urgency of prioritizing life-saving interventions over discomfort. Providing CPR to a stranger, regardless of gender, should be seen as a vital act of compassion and not a cause for hesitation.
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