A chilling incident from a past summer camp at Achimota School still resonates: A young woman collapsed with her life hanging in the balance. The male Red Cross prefect, attempting to administer potentially life-saving CPR, was quickly stopped by concerned students. The bystanders’ focus was on protecting her from exposure, and it overshadowed the urgency of the situation. This experience, now viewed through the lens of my medical training, reveals a crisp truth: the pervasive discomfort and hesitation surrounding CPR on women.
Reading a LinkedIn post recently, I was brought back to that fateful day in Achimota School. The author made a cogent argument that the core of the problem lies in the overwhelming prevalence of male or gender-neutral CPR mannequins. Most individuals, myself included, receive training on these models, creating a significant psychological barrier when faced with a female victim. Male bystanders, in particular, may fear accusations of assault or cultural repercussions, leading to critical delays in intervention. This translates directly into a horrifying statistic: Women are 14 percent less likely to receive emergency health interventions, a stark testament to the gender gap in life-saving care.
My own realization of this disparity was deeply personal. What if I were the one lying unconscious? Would my life be sacrificed at the altar of misplaced modesty? This question led me to the story of Resusci Anne, a poignant and pitiable reminder of the power of representation. Asmund Laerdal, a Norwegian toy maker, revolutionized CPR training by creating a mannequin with the serene face of L’Inconnue de la Seine—French for “The Unknown Woman of the Seine”—an unidentified young woman whose putative death mask became a popular fixture on the walls of artists’ homes after 1900, aiming to ease the discomfort of practicing CPR on a female form. Yet, despite this historical precedent, 95 percent of CPR training mannequins remain devoid of female characteristics, perpetuating a dangerous bias.
Rebecca Szabo et al. underscore the critical need for change. Their research reveals the stark reality of male or gender-neutral mannequins dominating CPR training, ignoring the fundamental truth that cardiac arrest is an indiscriminate killer. It strikes without warning, regardless of sex or gender. Women are just as vulnerable, and their lives depend on swift and effective intervention.
Moreover, the mannequins used must accurately reflect the diversity of the female population. Women possess a wide range of body types, chest wall features, and breast sizes. Training must encompass this diversity, ensuring that bystanders are prepared to administer CPR effectively on any woman, regardless of her physical characteristics.
The benefits of inclusive CPR training are undeniable. By incorporating female mannequins and addressing the psychological and cultural barriers, we can achieve several critical objectives: Increased bystander confidence, leading to faster and more effective intervention; improved survival rates for women, ensuring equitable access to life-saving care; promoted cultural sensitivity, fostering a more inclusive and effective response; a bridged equity gap, ensuring all individuals, regardless of sex, have a fighting chance; and enhanced realism in training, allowing for more accurate practice on diverse body types.
The time for change is now. We must dismantle the silent gender gap in CPR training. By embracing diversity and inclusivity, we can create a world where every life, regardless of sex, is valued and protected. Save a life to save yours, and maybe a woman’s life too.
Princess Benson is a medical student in Ghana.
