Female-form CPR manikins trialled to boost cardiac arrest survival

New female-form manikins are being trialled as a way to combat inequities in the treatment of women experiencing cardiac arrest.

Research showed women were half as likely as men to receive lifesaving defibrillation from bystanders and have significantly lower survival rates than men following cardiac arrest.

Concerns about exposing breasts, uncertainty around AED pad placement, and fear of causing offence can create hesitation in an emergency.

Sixteen female-form manikins donated by the Medical Assurance Society (MAS) would be trialled at St John trainings across the country to help increase confidence and familiarity when performing Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), and using an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) on women. 

Applying CPR and using an AED can bring the heart back to a natural beating rhythm, and using one increases a person's chance of survival by up to 40%.

However, for every minute waiting, a patient's chance of survival falls by 10 to 15% — and globally most CPR training is carried out using male manikins. 

"For many people, this may be the first time they have practised CPR and AED use on a female-form manikin. Most people train on male manikins, so there can be uncertainty when faced with a woman experiencing cardiac arrest," said St John's community education national manager Jacci Tatnell.

The manikins also helped make training more realistic by allowing people to practise CPR and AED placement on manikins with breasts, and increasing confidence when responding to different body types. 

"These manikins help address that gap by increasing familiarity and confidence. We want people to focus on saving a life, not hesitate because they're unsure what to do."

"Ultimately, cardiac arrest doesn't discriminate, and neither should our training. If introducing female-form manikins helps even one more person feel confident enough to act, it could help save a life," said Tatnell.

MAS chief distribution and marketing officer, Matt Marvey, said supporting the pilot was an easy decision and that CPR training should "reflect the people it may be needed for".

"We’re proud to donate these female-form manikins to Hato Hone St John, helping more New Zealanders build the confidence to perform CPR on women and improve their chances of surviving from cardiac arrest," he said.

St John hoped the pilot programme would help build greater confidence across the country and, over time, expand the number of female-form manikins available through its 3 Step for Life programme.