Fear and myths leaving women at risk in cardiac emergencies

South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) is urging people to learn lifesaving skills after warning that women in cardiac arrest are significantly less likely than men to receive bystander CPR.

The service says women are around 27% less likely to be given CPR and face additional risk because their bras are often not removed when a defibrillator is used. With only about one in 10 patients surviving an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, SECAmb is calling for better education to ensure fast, effective treatment regardless of gender.

Every minute without CPR or defibrillation reduces survival chances by roughly 10%, making early intervention critical. Community First Responder Sally Holmes has been tackling misconceptions through training sessions and by promoting the campaign “Bra Off, Defib On”, which aims to remove hesitation about treating women.

Holmes delivered 54 CPR and defibrillator courses last year and recently met chief executive Simon Weldon, who praised her efforts. She said many people were surprised by how simple the skills were to learn and stressed the need to break down barriers that prevent women receiving equal care.

Holmes said: “I see first-hand how empowering CPR training can be. Many people are surprised by how simple it is, and how just a few minutes of learning can prepare them to act in a real emergency.”

SECAmb recorded its second highest survival rate on record in 2024–25, with 11.4% of patients alive 30 days after arrest. Consultant paramedic Dan Cody said the actions of bystanders before an ambulance arrives can be “the difference between life and death”, adding that National Heart Month was a vital reminder that anyone can learn to save a life.

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