Female CPR manikins rolled out for first aid training statewide

• Female manikins rolled out to 40 first aid locations across the state.
• Globally, women are 27 per cent less likely to receive CPR from bystanders.
• WA has slightly higher rates of AEDs applied on men than women in a public place.

Forging the way for greater gender parity in saving lives, St John WA has rolled out female manikins across its 40 first aid locations across the state — making it one of the first local training providers to standardise the practice.

Global research over the years has repeatedly shown women are less likely to receive effective Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) than men, as well as Automated External Defibrillator (AED) placement, in a cardiac arrest emergency because it requires removal of a bra and sometimes moving aside breast tissue.

“We know women are 27 per cent less likely to receive CPR from bystanders globally over fears it leaves a woman exposed and vulnerable,” said Chief Preventative Officer Megan O’Donnell.

“A big part of what we teach here at St John is the critical importance of effective CPR no matter the gender and demystify the experience of putting hands respectfully on chests to do compressions that ultimately will save that person’s life.

“We hope to encourage more people to step forward in a critical emergency involving a woman; she is likely to be someone’s mother, daughter, sister or best friend – she deserves CPR just as much”

Western Australia consistently boasts among the highest national rates of CPR in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) at more than 80 per cent. But men had slightly higher rates of AED applications (43 per cent) as compared to women (37 per cent) in public places for the past decade.

First Aid trainer Rachel Cubitt said the feedback from the use of female manikins had been overwhelmingly positive.

“A couple of students, both men, even today said that it was great to practice the difference with a female manikin and they found it really helpful,” she said.

She said part of the hesitancy and stigma came from the lack of manikins available on the market which reflected what a female body looks like to do CPR respectfully.

“Our goal is to save the person’s life,” Rachel said.

“So if you come along and do a first aid course with St John WA, we show you how to do that.”

St John WA provides a range of accredited first aid courses, from Tiny Tots to Essential First Aid: find one to suit you.