How Gender-Inclusive CPR Training Can Save More Women’s Lives
Personal Health - Cardiovascular Health Online Article
Published Monday, September 29, 2025 10:00 am
Cardiovascular disease remains a leading cause of death for women worldwide. Yet, only 44% of women recognize it as their greatest health threat.1 More troubling, women are significantly less likely to receive bystander CPR than men — 39% compared to 45%. This gap translates into lives lost; men’s odds of surviving a cardiac arrest are 23% higher.2
CPR training awareness and readiness
These numbers represent mothers, daughters, sisters and friends whose chances of survival are diminished not by the severity of their condition alone but by inaction or hesitation. Deep-seated fears and misconceptions — such as anxiety about inappropriate contact, causing harm or lack of awareness — often prevent timely intervention. CPR training is not just about technique; it is about building the readiness to save a life when every second counts.
Gender-inclusive tools in CPR training
For decades, CPR manikins have largely been designed to represent male anatomy, which means trainees often lack experience in practicing on a female form. This can subconsciously reinforce uncertainty, further widening the gap in real-world response rates.
This is why gender-inclusive tools are an essential part of advancing equality in emergency response. The PRESTAN Female Manikin was developed to help close this gap. It offers a realistic representation that encourages discussion, dispels myths and builds familiarity. Ed Feil, PRESTAN VP of Global Sales and Marketing, says: “This female manikin furthers that mission by ensuring our training tools reflect the diversity of real-life situations.”
Ensuring people are prepared to respond
By integrating such tools into training, educators can address the specific fears and biases that lead to hesitation, ensuring every student is prepared to respond to anyone in need.
Dr Aubi Nemeth DNAP, CRNA, Owner and Instructor of Sixth City CPR, adds: “As CPR instructors, part of our responsibility is ensuring our students are fully equipped to act without hesitation. Having a manikin with breasts is a vital step in removing the biases that have existed in CPR training for too long.”
When CPR training reflects the diversity of the people it aims to protect, we stand a greater chance of closing survival gaps and ensuring that lifesaving skills reach those who need them most.
Source - How gender-inclusive CPR training can save more women’s lives - Health Awareness
[1] American Heart Association. 2020. Heart disease awareness decline spotlights urgency to reach younger women and women of color.
[2] American Heart Association. 2020. Women need CPR too.
About PRESTAN
PRESTAN is committed to building confidence in CPR/AED training instructors and their students by offering a full range of CPR Training Manikins (Made in the USA) and AED Trainers designed to meet the needs of all training environments - including portable, professional and advanced training scenarios.
Media Contact:
Lindsay Benz, Director of Global Marketing | PRESTAN, [email protected]
Author - Ed Feil, VP of Global Sales & Marketing | PRESTAN
With Contribution from - Dr. Aubi Nemeth DNAP, CRNA, Owner and Instructor | Sixth City CPR
Date Published - September 29, 2025