The Gender Gap in CPR: Why Training Must Change

Hi everyone, I’m Harriet Parker, guest writer for Haffenden Training Solutions.

We’ve recently launched a petition to make it a legal requirement for CPR training to include female-presenting manikins, not just male ones. This change is vital. Currently, over 32% of women who suffer a cardiac arrest in public don’t receive CPR, compared to 27% of men.

A woman receives CPR from a responder, demonstrating a life-saving emergency procedure.

Research shows that one of the main reasons for this disparity is discomfort or hesitation around touching women's chests — due to social taboos, fear of causing harm, or concerns about accusations. Another contributing factor is that heart attack symptoms can look very different in women, leading to delays in recognition and diagnosis.

Here’s a quick comparison of symptoms:

In men, symptoms often include:

• Crushing chest pain

• Sweating

• Nausea

• Anxiety

• Pain radiating down the left arm

In women, symptoms may include:

• Chest pain or discomfort

• Shortness of breath

• Pain in the arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach

• Nausea or vomiting

• Sweating

• Lightheadedness or dizziness

These less “classic” symptoms in women often go unrecognized — by the public and even medical professionals — which can be fatal.

You can show your support by signing our petition on Change.org – just search for CPR Training Female Manikins or follow the link on our website or social media.

Our long-term goal is for all body types to be represented in first aid training, so that every person has the best chance of receiving life-saving care. Whether it’s training, awareness, or action — we’re here to help.