# Women are 28% less likely to recieve CPR because strangers are afraid to touch them **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 8, 2024, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-are-28-less-likely-to-recieve-cpr-because-strangers-are-afraid-to-touch-them/998617 "2024-03-08T18:39:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2024, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-are-28-less-likely-to-recieve-cpr-because-strangers-are-afraid-to-touch-them/998617/21 "2024-03-08T23:07:34Z")
That often doesn’t matter to people. When I was still working at a state agency , we all had to get trained to use naloxone nasal spray \* , had the Good Samaritan law explained , were reminded that we were indemnified if we were acting within the scope of our duties and were issued a kit. And multiple people didn’t want to take the kit because they were never going to use it, not even if a friend or relative appeared to have overdosed. \*which was really unnecessary - the instructions were on the box and consisted of "put the tip in a nostril and depress the plunger) ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2024, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-are-28-less-likely-to-recieve-cpr-because-strangers-are-afraid-to-touch-them/998617/22 "2024-03-08T23:08:08Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > How would I prove I didn’t beat a woman to death? I believe the theory is they have to prove you beat a woman to death. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2024, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-are-28-less-likely-to-recieve-cpr-because-strangers-are-afraid-to-touch-them/998617/23 "2024-03-08T23:08:21Z")
Would that stop you from giving it if needed? ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2024, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-are-28-less-likely-to-recieve-cpr-because-strangers-are-afraid-to-touch-them/998617/24 "2024-03-08T23:21:16Z")
> [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > but also atypical presentations such as heart attacks causing anxiety or non-obvious symptoms instead of chest pain. I don’t think this would account for the difference - you might not know a woman is having a heart attack if she’s having atypical symptoms but you will know if she is are breathing /has a pulse. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2024, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-are-28-less-likely-to-recieve-cpr-because-strangers-are-afraid-to-touch-them/998617/25 "2024-03-08T23:24:28Z")
I have some. I’d use it for myself. As 3rd to the last resort. I really really hate the glucose rescue stuff. It always makes me pukey and head-achey. Since I like to live I’ve had much experience with all of them. I’ve become way more bouncy in my blood glucose levels the last couple years. The Lil’Debbie experience is probably not a good thing to do very often. ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2024, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-are-28-less-likely-to-recieve-cpr-because-strangers-are-afraid-to-touch-them/998617/26 "2024-03-08T23:25:33Z")
When I was my ex’s home aide, I had to take CPR training. The video said, never touch a person firdt. Ask if they need help, then ask if you can touch them. ---
**Author:** ![nelliebly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nelliebly/32/5422_2.png) [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2024, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-are-28-less-likely-to-recieve-cpr-because-strangers-are-afraid-to-touch-them/998617/27 "2024-03-08T23:39:37Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > Yeah, some men would definitely be wary about the optics of putting one’s hands forcefully on the breasts of an unconscious woman and lip-locking with her. CPR does not involve putting hands on anyone’s breasts, forcefully or otherwise. The hands go in the center of the chest, over the breastbone, so between the breasts. ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2024, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-are-28-less-likely-to-recieve-cpr-because-strangers-are-afraid-to-touch-them/998617/28 "2024-03-08T23:47:15Z")
Wouldn’t the person be unconscious in most scenarios where CPR is indicated? ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2024, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-are-28-less-likely-to-recieve-cpr-because-strangers-are-afraid-to-touch-them/998617/29 "2024-03-08T23:51:19Z")
Sure, but that distinction doesn’t really make a practical difference as far as optics are concerned. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2024, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-are-28-less-likely-to-recieve-cpr-because-strangers-are-afraid-to-touch-them/998617/30 "2024-03-09T00:12:38Z")
> [@Nyvaak](#): > > Self-nitpick. It was Resusci Anne, not Resusci-Annie Anyone else remember “Choking Charlie”? We used to demonstrate the Heimlich on him. Amusing semi-related anecdote: My elderly aunt and uncle lived alone together. One time, Aunt was coughing while eating, something went down the wrong way. Uncle telephones his son to tell him Mom is choking (I guess calling 911 would come second). Anyway, Uncle says, “should I do the Heineken Maneuver?” mmm ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2024, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-are-28-less-likely-to-recieve-cpr-because-strangers-are-afraid-to-touch-them/998617/31 "2024-03-09T00:13:19Z")
> [@BippityBoppityBoo](#): > > > [@TriPolar](#): > > > > How would I prove I didn’t beat a woman to death? > > I believe the theory is they have to prove you beat a woman to death. They’ll have witnesses who don’t remember seeing the woman clutch her chest and fall over but did see a large man beating and choking her. The ME will testify she mercifully died rapidly from cardiac arrest caused by my assault. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2024, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-are-28-less-likely-to-recieve-cpr-because-strangers-are-afraid-to-touch-them/998617/32 "2024-03-09T00:15:07Z")
> [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > Would that stop you from giving it if needed? Probably not. I’m not smart about putting my own interests first. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2024, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-are-28-less-likely-to-recieve-cpr-because-strangers-are-afraid-to-touch-them/998617/33 "2024-03-09T00:27:09Z")
I genuinely can’t tell if you’re kidding or serious. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2024, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-are-28-less-likely-to-recieve-cpr-because-strangers-are-afraid-to-touch-them/998617/34 "2024-03-09T00:29:18Z")
Maybe then, just call 911. Walk on by. Tell a cop. You don’t have to give CPR. If you know it, don’t say so. If you don’t, it’s probably best not to try. ---
**Author:** ![nelliebly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nelliebly/32/5422_2.png) [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2024, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-are-28-less-likely-to-recieve-cpr-because-strangers-are-afraid-to-touch-them/998617/35 "2024-03-09T00:34:16Z")
By “optics,” do you mean that the woman has breasts? That’s not optics; that’s abject ignorance of human anatomy. Someone who’s so clueless that they think, “Golly, I ain’t grabbin’ no lady bosoms!” shouldn’t be attempting CPR anyway, as bosom-grabbing is not CPR and would not restart a heart. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2024, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-are-28-less-likely-to-recieve-cpr-because-strangers-are-afraid-to-touch-them/998617/36 "2024-03-09T00:35:25Z")
> [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > I genuinely can’t tell if you’re kidding or serious. I would stop and help. I never hesitate to help someone in need. > [@Beckdawrek](#): > > You don’t have to give CPR. If you know it, don’t say so. I could never live with myself if I did that. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2024, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-are-28-less-likely-to-recieve-cpr-because-strangers-are-afraid-to-touch-them/998617/37 "2024-03-09T00:43:13Z")
Though I totally understand your point … > Do breasts get in the way of CPR? > Chest compressions during CPR require that you push down on the center of the chest (see below for how to perform CPR) and therefore touch the breasts if the patient has breasts. Breasts, however, do not “get in the way” or present a barrier to performing effective CPR. The presence of breasts should never prevent an individual from administering lifesaving chest compressions. [**SOURCE**](https://avive.life/blog/cpr-on-women-gender-differences/) ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2024, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-are-28-less-likely-to-recieve-cpr-because-strangers-are-afraid-to-touch-them/998617/38 "2024-03-09T00:47:15Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > I would stop and help. I never hesitate to help someone in need. Good to hear (well, read, anyway). I meant no offense. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2024, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-are-28-less-likely-to-recieve-cpr-because-strangers-are-afraid-to-touch-them/998617/39 "2024-03-09T01:22:03Z")
The statistics might come from articles like this (below), which says: _After analysis, three major themes were detected for why the public perceives that women receive less bystander CPR, they include; 1) Sexualization of women’s bodies; 2) Women are weak and frail and therefore prone to injury; **3) Misperceptions about women in acute medical distress.** Overall, 41.9% (227) were trained in CPR while 4.4% report having provided CPR in a medical emergency._ In more detail: _…perceptions that women are “overly dramatic” or not commonly victims of sudden cardiac death. Examples to this effect are listed below:_ > “They are not known to have as many heart attacks in public, they are known to be healthier, they may not be as dramatic or loud about their episode” – Female, age 29 > > “They are not aware the woman is experience[ing] cardiac arrest. Even doctors often fail to recognize signs of heart disease in women, and the general public sees heart issues as being a ‘male’ problem. Women’s heart disease goes untreated and young women are more likely to die from heart disease than young men, or so I have read, because of this incorrect bias.” – Male, age 33 > > “The perception that the illness is more serious in men” – Male, age 29 Source: > **[Public Perceptions on Why Women Receive Less Bystander CPR than Men in Out of...](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6386169/)** > > Women who suffer an out of hospital cardiac arrest receive bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) less often than men. Understanding public perceptions of why this occurs is a necessary first step towards equitable application of this... Agreed that this only accounts for part of the difference. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2024, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-are-28-less-likely-to-recieve-cpr-because-strangers-are-afraid-to-touch-them/998617/40 "2024-03-09T01:28:31Z")
There are other studies, suggesting women are less likely to present with shockable rhythms, though this may speak to AED use more than CPR. _Various explanations for inadequate recognition of OHCA in women may be proposed, e.g. lack of awareness that OHCA may strike women as often as men,[45](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6911168/#ehz297-B45),[46](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6911168/#ehz297-B46) **and the possibility that women themselves do not recognize the urgency of sentinel complaints. We speculate that the latter may be due to biologic factors. For instance, during acute MI (a common trigger of OHCA), women may have more equivocal complaints such as fatigue, syncope, vomiting, and neck/jaw pain, while men are more likely to report typical complaints such as chest pain.**[47](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6911168/#ehz297-B47)_ Source: > **[Women have lower chances than men to be resuscitated and survive...](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6911168/)** > > Previous studies on sex differences in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) had limited scope and yielded conflicting results. We aimed to provide a comprehensive overall view on sex differences in care utilization, and outcome of OHCA.We performed... [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-are-28-less-likely-to-recieve-cpr-because-strangers-are-afraid-to-touch-them/998617.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-are-28-less-likely-to-recieve-cpr-because-strangers-are-afraid-to-touch-them/998617.md?page=3)