CPR For Females
I was searching for articles about CPR when one caught my attention. A Reddit thread titled “Apparently some men would rather let a woman die than perform CPR“ stopped me in my tracks. The thought that men would intentionally allow a woman to die instead of performing CPR is disturbing and begs the question, why?
The Reddit thread’s comments indicate that because women have breasts men are taken aback. Probable reasons for hesitation may include fear of sexual assault accusations, fear of disrespecting the victim by exposing her, or merely confusion about how to properly perform CPR on women.
Regardless of the reason, one thing is certain individuals in cardiac arrest need CPR. As a CPR instructor, I recognize two reasons why this perception exists, social culture and poor/no formal training. At EMskillz we promote knowledge of and confidence in emergency management skills.
Forget how society has objectified breasts and redefine the context of how they should be portrayed. Refer to their physical makeup alone. Breast tissue is composed of fat, skin, and nerves just like any other part of the body. Avoid derogatory terminology, and be professional. If you cannot say the word breast without smiling you are a child. Unfortunately, people are still people, and some are more mature than others regarding this issue.
Seeing how adulthood and maturity are hard-fought characteristics for some we need to discuss etiquette. When performing chest compressions on a woman it is advisable to curl your fingers underneath themselves rather than flat palming the person’s chest. Chest compression pressure is exerted through the heel of your hand, not your fingertips. There is no reason to grab a patient’s breast while conducting CPR. However, it may need to be moved to place an AED pad.
Do not, I’ll say it again for the people in the back, DO NOT grab the patient’s chest like you are trying to pop the top of a jar if you need to move breast tissue to place an AED pad. Instead, use the back of your hand. Once the pad is placed remove your hand and resume chest compressions. Always preserve modesty as much as possible while performing CPR.
Breast size varies and may be contained within certain articles of clothing. If a patient’s current state of dress does not allow the heel of your hand to meet their sternum appropriately their attire may need to be removed. If an article of clothing needs removed drape the attire over the patient’s chest to preserve their modesty if possible. Remember the longer it takes CPR to be initiated the lower the victim’s chances of survival are.
Initiating CPR when it is needed is a lifesaving skill and it should not be withheld from anyone for any reason. Bystander CPR performed immediately is a cardiac arrest victim’s best chance of survival. Take the time to learn CPR from a reputable vendor who incorporates hands-on skills training on both male and female manikins, train as you fight as the Army says. If you would like to learn CPR do not hesitate to reach out to one of our EMskillz staff members.
