When someone suffers a cardiac arrest, every second counts. Yet research shows that women are less likely than men to receive potentially lifesaving CPR from a bystander.
A US study found that women were 14% less likely to receive bystander CPR than men. In the UK, St John Ambulance research found that 68% of women were likely to receive CPR from a bystander, compared with 73% of men.
Whilst the situation appears better in the UK, there is still a clear difference. One possible reason is hesitation. Concerns about touching a woman’s breasts can make people less confident about starting CPR.
How can training help reduce this gap?
Most CPR training traditionally uses flat-chested manikins. Research examining adult CPR manikins found that 95% had no breasts, highlighting how little diversity is represented in CPR training.
Using female resuscitation manikins gives learners the opportunity to practise CPR and AED use on a more realistic representation of the people they may one day need to help.
And it opens up important conversations too:
- Where should hands be placed?
- Does CPR technique change? No – the technique is the same.
- How should AED pads be positioned?
- What if I’m worried about touching someone’s chest?
The more familiar these situations become in training, the less likely learners may be to hesitate in a real emergency.
Meet the PRESTAN Professional Female Manikin
If you’re looking to make your CPR training more inclusive, the PRESTAN Professional Female Manikin provides a practical way to introduce realistic female anatomy into your training sessions.
For instructors, it’s more than simply adding another manikin to the kit. It’s an opportunity to normalise female CPR during training, tackle learner hesitation and ensure your practice scenarios better reflect the people you may encounter in real life.
And better still, you do not have to replace the entire manikin. Female replacement skin options are available in light and dark skin tone representing a significant saving.
Visit the WorkSafe Shop for more information.