"Non-bust" mannequins used for CPR training have jeopardized women's lives.

The issue was raised by a group of Australian researchers led by obstetrician-gynecologist and medical instructor Rebecca Szabo (Rebecca Szabo). She personally encountered the problem of an abundance of "flat-chested" CPR training mannequins when she tried to purchase a version with female breasts to train staff in providing assistance during cardiac arrest in pregnant women.

Commenting on the situation to The Guardian, the researcher explained that they could not find the necessary mannequin at that time. They had to order a female bust overlay online and use it in conjunction with a standard CPR training mannequin.

Following this, Szabo and her colleagues decided to analyze the available models of CPR training mannequins for adults on the global market. Out of 20 options reviewed, only one manufacturer included an attachable female breast, while the others were flat. Eight mannequins simulated a male torso, and seven showed no signs of gender.

Earlier, in another study, Australian medical professionals found that bystanders were less likely to assist women experiencing out-of-hospital cardiac arrest with CPR.

During a recent survey in the UK organized by the ambulance service, nearly a quarter of 1000 respondents admitted that they were less willing to perform CPR on women during cardiac arrest in public places. One-third of male respondents stated that they feared potential accusations of "inappropriate touching" of breasts.

In their study, Rebecca Szabo and her colleagues argue that the roots of such attitudes may be established during CPR training, as "female" mannequins are not utilized in practice.

According to the researcher, the technique for performing CPR is the same for both women and men. Training on mannequins that simulate both genders could help individuals feel more confident in real emergency situations when dealing with a person experiencing cardiac arrest involves managing a bra and female breasts, Szabo added.

The authors of the new article, published in the journal Health Promotion International, urged course organizers for CPR training and manufacturers of training mannequins to rectify the situation regarding the availability of female versions.