SECAmb Launches Campaign To Tackle Gender Gap In CPR

Research shows women are less likely to receive bystander CPR than men and South East Coast Ambulance (SECAmb) is taking action to help change that. with a new campaign.

Research shows women are less likely to receive bystander CPR than men and South East Coast Ambulance (SECAmb) is taking action to help change that.

SECAmb is launching a new campaign to raise awareness of the gender gap in bystander CPR and encourage more people to feel confident providing lifesaving treatment to anyone who needs it.

The Trust is launching Bra Off, Pads On as part of Restart a Heart this October which aims to tackle some of the barriers and misconceptions that can prevent women from receiving CPR during a cardiac arrest.

Research by St John Ambulance found that 23 per cent of people are less likely to give CPR to a woman than a man.

When someone suffers a cardiac arrest, starting CPR quickly and using a defibrillator can make a vital difference to their chances of survival. For every minute without CPR or defibrillation, a person’s chance of survival reduces by 10 per cent. However, concerns around removing clothing, touching a woman's chest or causing embarrassment can make people hesitate to act.

Throughout October, SECAmb will be sharing the stories of female cardiac arrest survivors who received bystander CPR and highlighting how those lifesaving actions made a difference to their outcomes. The campaign will also challenge some of the myths and misconceptions surrounding CPR on women, helping people understand that the priority is to start CPR and use a defibrillator as quickly as possible.

Chief Paramedic Officer, Dr Jaqui Lindridge told SFM News: “We want everyone to feel confident providing CPR to anyone who needs it. Gender should never be a barrier to someone receiving lifesaving treatment. By sharing real stories and challenging some of the myths around CPR, we hope to give people the confidence to step forward and act when it matters most.”

Among those supporting the campaign are cardiac arrest survivors, Demi Buxton, Helen Warren and Sevda whose lives were saved thanks to the actions of friends, family and bystanders nearby.

“When I collapsed, CPR gave me a second chance at life,” Demi said. “Everyone deserves that same chance, which is why it’s so important that people feel confident performing CPR on anyone who needs it.”

As part of the campaign and to mark Restart a Heart Day, SECAmb will also hold its first-ever CPRathon at Asda Chatham Superstore on Friday, 16 October from 10am to 10pm.

The event will bring together SECAmb staff, members of the Trust's Executive team and partner agencies, alongside members of the public, to keep the CPR going throughout the day. Members of the public will have the opportunity to learn CPR and how to use a defibrillator, while helping SECAmb raise awareness of the importance of bystander intervention.

If you can spare some time to support the CPRathon, please contact cpr@secamb.nhs.uk.

To find out more about the campaign please visit: www.secamb.nhs.uk/cpr/bra-off-pads-on/

Follow SECAmb on social media throughout October for more information, patient stories and advice on how you can get involved.