Title: Shattering Norms: The Gender Gap in CPR Instruction and Emergency Assistance

Author: Princess Benson, Medical Student, Ghana

During a sweltering summer at Achimota School, a young woman suddenly fell unconscious during a camp activity. As chaos ensued, help arrived—the male Red Cross prefect rapidly prepared to perform CPR. Yet, before he could initiate compressions, anxious students intervened—not to provide further assistance, but to ensure the unconscious girl’s modesty remained intact. Their intentions, stemming from cultural values and concerns over propriety, overshadowed the critical need to save a life. Reflecting on that moment now, informed by medical knowledge, I cannot help but wonder: Would I receive aid if I were the one in that position?

This troubling event is not a singular occurrence. It serves as a stark illustration of a widespread and often unrecognized issue—women are often less likely to receive CPR during emergencies, frequently due to gender biases and outdated training methods. The consequences are alarming. Data indicate that women are 14% less likely than men to receive life-saving CPR from bystanders, a statistic that results in thousands of preventable fatalities.

The Core of the Issue: A Mannequin Flaw

Typically, when individuals undergo CPR training, the mannequin utilized for practice is either gender-neutral or male. This implicit bias creates a lasting psychological hurdle for responders, especially men, who may feel apprehensive or uneasy when confronted with a female casualty in real situations. There exists an increased worry of being accused of inappropriate conduct, particularly in cultures where interactions between genders are heavily regulated by societal norms.

This anxiety often leads to tragic delays. Since CPR must be administered swiftly to be effective, these brief pauses—sometimes just seconds—can determine the outcome between life and death.

A Historical Paradox

Interestingly, the inception of contemporary CPR training presents a compelling contradiction. In the 1960s, Asmund Laerdal, a Norwegian toymaker, introduced the first widely recognized CPR mannequin, called Resusci Anne. Her visage was inspired by L’Inconnue de la Seine, the anonymous woman whose death mask captivated artists throughout Paris. Laerdal opted for a female face to foster empathy and compassion among learners. Yet today, over 95% of CPR mannequins used worldwide lack any anatomical indicators of female identity.

Despite the fact that this foundational CPR tool originated with a female face, the standard training methodology has shifted towards more depersonalized—and implicitly masculinized—models.

The Importance of Representation

Medical research backs the call for inclusive mannequin designs in CPR education. Studies by Rebecca Szabo and her colleagues highlight that male-coded or non-specific mannequins are the norm in training environments. This exclusion has significant ramifications: it sends an implicit message that women are not the typical victims of cardiac arrest, allowing practices surrounding their rescue to remain largely untested, unresolved, and unlearned.

Women experience cardiac arrest like men, but they may also present unique physiological challenges—breast tissue, body shape, and clothing may introduce variables that inexperienced responders may hesitate to address. If CPR trainees never practice on varied female forms, how can we expect them to react with confidence and efficiency when tasked with saving a real woman?

Addressing the CPR Gender Divide

Inclusive CPR education is not just a nuanced debate—it represents a critical public health issue. Here are ways in which evolving CPR training to embrace gender diversity can save lives:

1. Bolster Bystander Assurance:
Training using female mannequins alleviates hesitation and boosts comfort, particularly for male rescuers. With consistent practice, performing compressions on the chest—regardless of anatomy—becomes instinctive.

2. Enhance Survival Odds for Women:
Breaking down social and psychological barriers leads to quicker responses for female cardiac arrest victims, ultimately improving their survival chances.

3. Encourage Cultural Awareness:
In cultures where cross-gender contact is limited, customized training programs can thoughtfully navigate these norms while emphasizing the individual’s right to receive emergency assistance.

4. Bridge the Equality Divide:
Standard training should reflect diversity in physique, age, and gender identity. Everyone deserves fair access to life-saving measures, a principle that must begin in educational settings or training centers.

5. Improve Realism:
Realistic training prepares responders for real-life situations. By practicing on diverse body types, they grow better equipped to handle the range of emergencies they may encounter.

The Resolve for Progress

The poignant memory from Achimota School, combined with introspection and formal education, motivated me to research and advocate. If we do not actively pursue changes in the representation within CPR training, then silence—and inaction—will persist to claim lives. We must forge a future where no rescuer hesitates, where every bystander feels prepared, and where every victim receives the immediate attention they deserve.

It commences with a mannequin. It culminates in a life spared.

Let’s save a