Women are less likely to be resuscitated. It’s about… breasts

When Christian Eriksen fainted during the Denmark-Finland game, a quick response was crucial. First, the airways were secured by the team captain, then the rescuers began a rapid resuscitation. In everyday life, 90 percent. such situations are fatal. It is worst for women. Observers are afraid to revive them.

1. Immediate resuscitation is required in the event of cardiac arrest. It can restore circulation and prevent brain death
2. Research shows that witnesses are less likely to resuscitate women. There are several reasons, one of which is shocking: men fear being accused of sexual harassment
3. Bystanders are also reluctant to resuscitate women because they are afraid that they will be hurt. The issue of the bust is also problematic, or rather whether it can be exposed
4. More information can be found on the Onet homepage.

Witnesses revive women less frequently than men

When you search the internet for information about female resuscitation, you can find a whole list of frequently asked questions. These include, for example, the need to remove the bra and expose the victim’s breasts. Contrary to appearances, this is a question that many people ask themselves. If they even consider giving a woman first aid, which, if we look at the research, is not very common. Men have a much greater chance that witnesses will save their lives if they suffer a heart attack or their circulation stops.

1. See also: First Aid. How to give it? [WE EXPLAIN]

In 2019, a study on resuscitation in women who had cardiac arrest outside the hospital appeared in the National Library of Medicine. Researchers analyzed cases of resuscitation carried out in one of the regions of the Netherlands in the years 2006 – 2012. It turned out that 5 thousand. 717 cases of cardiac arrest outside the hospital, 28% it was about women. When witnesses saw the event, they more often decided to help men (73,9%) than women (67,9%).

Two years later, another study was conducted to discover why cases of cardiac arrest outside the hospital are so often fatal, and whether gender has anything to do with it. Scientists analyzed 897 thousand. 805 situations and found that the women were older and less likely to suffer cardiac arrest in public. At the same time, they had a lower chance of resuscitation than men.

Women and resuscitation. The problem is, among others bust

According to a 2018 study by the American Heart Association, there are several reasons why women are less likely to be resuscitated by observers. A small group of respondents admitted that reluctance to provide first aid results from:

1. potentially inappropriate touching or displaying the victim
2. fear of being accused of sexual assault
3. fear of physical damage
4. difficulty in diagnosing heart attacks in women – the belief that women have less heart problems, but also the belief that they can dramatize or simulate
5. the belief that the bust hinders resuscitation

60 percent of the respondents are men, some of whom have undergone first aid training. Concerns about possible sexual accusations were expressed twice as often by men, not women. The ladies were more afraid that they would hurt the victim.

– The consequence of these major concerns is that these women will potentially not be resuscitated or that resuscitation will be delayed. Given that these are actual social anxieties, it is important to realize that resuscitation saves lives and should be carried out on people who need it, regardless of gender, race or ethnicity – said Dr. Sarah M. Perman , the author of the study.

We debunk myths about female resuscitation. You don’t have to worry about that

Reanimation is a process that aims to save someone’s life. In a cardiac arrest situation, the injured woman is technically dead. Her heart stops beating. This means that the witness of the incident can save it precisely by providing first aid – application 30 compressions of the chest clap and 2 breathsand then continue the cycle until ambulance arrives. Reanimation is not sexual harassment. Just like bare breasts when saving a woman’s life is at stake. And CPR is more effective if the chest is not covered with layers of clothing.

“Providing women with a life-saving procedure should be considered normal, not sexual,” said Dr. Sarah M. Perman.

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The fear that a woman will be physically harmed during resuscitation is also unjustified. On the contrary. The worst possible injuries are bruises or broken ribs. So the greatest harm is a lack of response that simply results in death.

Women can also experience a heart attack – it can happen to anyone, regardless of gender, age or physical condition. Christan Eriksen had a heart attack at the age of 29. In addition, he is an athlete, so he not only cares about health, but also has meticulous tests to rule out possible diseases.

The breasts do not interfere with resuscitation. Chest compressions are done at the center of the chest, which means you will have to touch the breasts, but they are not a barrier to this action. The resuscitation of women is carried out in the same way as it is done for men.

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How to perform resuscitation?

In the case of cardiac arrest in an adult, the respiratory tract of the injured should be secured – make sure that the patient does not suffocate with the tongue or a foreign body. When he is on his back, bring both hands together and press them firmly in the center of the chest. The pressure should be 4 – 5 cm deep.

Until the paramedics arrive, a sequence of 30 compressions, 2 breaths should be performed.

Also read:

1. Eriksen’s reanimation took forever. It could have ended in brain death
2. Eriksen was not the only one. Why do young, athletic footballers suffer a heart attack?
3. What are the symptoms of a heart attack? [WE EXPLAIN]
4. A heart attack attacks younger and younger people

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