The Gender Gap in CPR and Defibrillation

The Gender Gap in CPR and Defibrillation

You might be surprised to learn that women experiencing out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) are significantly less likely to receive lifesaving help from bystanders than men.

Even in Australia—where awareness campaigns and CPR education have improved intervention rates across the board—studies have consistently shown that:

• Females are less likely to receive bystander CPR or defibrillation, particularly in public places.

  
  

• Public hesitation to expose a woman’s chest to apply defibrillator pads is a common barrier.

  
  

• Misconceptions about female symptoms—like shortness of breath instead of chest pain—lead to misidentification of cardiac arrest.

  
  

• Fear of causing harm or legal trouble prevents people from helping, especially in public.

While recent Victorian data shows some improvement in CPR parity, women are still less likely to receive bystander defibrillation, despite having the same need for it. These disparities have life-threatening consequences.

The good news? Education works. The more people who know what to do and feel confident doing it—regardless of the patient’s gender—the more lives we can save.

Why Learn First Aid?

1. You could save a life. Early CPR and defibrillation can double survival chances after a cardiac arrest. Paramedics may take several minutes to arrive—but you can make the difference right now.

   
   

2. Most cardiac arrests happen at home. Women are more likely to arrest in private locations. That means the person needing help could be your mum, sister, partner, or daughter—and you may be the only one there to help.

   
   

3. Combat social stigma and fear. Our courses openly discuss the hesitations people feel when helping women in public—whether that’s about touching, exposing the chest, or uncertainty around symptoms. Practising pad placement on female-anatomy mannequins and role-playing real scenarios builds both skill and comfort.

   
   

4. You are legally protected. In Australia, Good Samaritan laws offer strong protection. No Australian has ever been successfully sued for providing CPR or first aid in good faith. You have the right—and the responsibility—to help.

Why Choose Paramount First Aid?

• Expert instruction from Leah, a career paramedic with frontline experience in metropolitan, regional and rural settings.

  
  

• A supportive, non-judgmental learning environment, ideal for new parents, workplace teams, and everyday community members.

  
  

• We keep it practical and realistic—you’ll learn exactly what to do, how to do it, and what to expect emotionally when the moment comes.

  
  

• Courses designed to break down barriers, including specific modules on resuscitating women and children, recognising gendered symptoms, and overcoming hesitation.

Which Course Is Right for You?

• Formal CPR and First Aid Courses: Essential for employment but also give you the skills to act confidently in any emergency. We offer a range of courses. Visit our services page to find out more.

  
  

• Non-Accredited First Aid Info Sessions: Great for schools, parents' groups, sports clubs and community organisations. Learn the essentials in a low-pressure environment. A good example is our Essentials First Aid Session.

  
  

• Baby & Child First Aid Classes: Specifically designed for new parents, carers and grandparents. Learn how to respond to choking, seizures, allergic reactions and more in young children. Have a look at our very own Baby First Aid course!

Final Thoughts

The more Australians trained in CPR and first aid, the safer our community becomes—especially for women, who have historically been left behind in bystander response. By understanding the causes behind this disparity and equipping ourselves with the right knowledge and tools, we can close the gap.

Be ready. Be confident. Be the one who acts.

📍 Based in Canberra | 🩺 Run by a real paramedic📲 Book now at www.paramountfirstaid.com.au or send us a DM on Instagram

Reference List

1. Bray, J. E., Musgrave, E., Travaglia, L., & Smith, K. (2021). Bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation differences by sex – The role of arrest recognition. Resuscitation, 159, 112–118. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resuscitation.2020.12.012

2. Perman, S. M., Shelton, S. K., Knoepke, C., Rappaport, K., Matlock, D. D., Adelgais, K., & Sasson, C. (2019). Sex disparities in bystander defibrillation for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Circulation, 139(8), 1060–1068. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.118.036303

3. ACT Government. (2002). Civil Law (Wrongs) Act 2002 – Section 5: Protection of good samaritans from liability. https://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/legis/act/consol_act/cla2002194/s5.html

4. Australian and New Zealand Committee on Resuscitation (ANZCOR). (2021). Guidance Statement 10.5.1 – Legal issues related to responding to emergency situations and resuscitation. https://www.anzcor.org/guidelines/legal-issues-related-to-responding