Worried about doing the “wrong” thing in an emergency? You are not alone. Many people freeze because they are afraid of making things worse. When the person who collapses is a woman, that hesitation can be even stronger.
A 2023 study found that bystanders were less likely to perform CPR on women than men. Overall, 52%of women received CPR compared to 55% of men. In public settings, the gap widened: 61% of women received CPR compared to 68% of men.
Reasons for hesitation
- Fear of causing physical injury
- Fear of being accused of sexual assault or inappropriate touching
- The misconception that breasts make CPR more difficult
- Poor recognition of cardiac arrest in women due to the belief that heart problems are “a male issue”
So what’s the truth?
Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart’s electrical system malfunctions, often in the absence of any previous symptoms. CPR can double or even triple a person’s chance of survival.
Hesitation helps no one. If bystanders hold back because they are worried about accusations, women may receive delayed CPR or none at all. CPR is the same regardless of gender, race or ethnicity.
There is also legal protection. In Western Australia, the Civil Liability Act 2002 (also known as the Good Samaritan Law) protects people who provide emergency assistance, as long as they act within their training and are not reckless. These laws are there to encourage people to respond and provide first aid, and to alleviate any concerns about being held personally responsible for what happens in a first aid situation.
In an emergency, doing something is far better than doing nothing. If someone collapses and is not breathing normally, start CPR. Don’t let fear stand in your way!
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