Women and CPR

Women need CPR too, but the sad reality is they are less likely to receive bystander CPR than men. Women are often less likely to receive bystander CPR because rescuers may fear accusations of inappropriate touching, sexual assault or injuring the victim.

Many people believe that women are less likely to have heart problems and overdramatize incidents. It’s these fears and myths that lead to women being less likely to receive the lifesaving CPR help they need.

We must do more to save women's lives. Join us in being a lifesaver.  


Be the beat for a woman you love. Learn Hands-Only CPR.

Learn Hands-Only CPR

Perform Hands-Only CPR whenever you see a teen or adult suddenly collapse. There are just two steps:

STEP 1 – Call 911.
STEP 2 – Push hard and fast on the center of the chest at a rate of 100 to 120 beats per minute.

Be the Beat for the Woman in Your Life

Women who suffer from cardiac arrest outside of a hospital are less likely to receive CPR from bystanders. Sharell Weeams and Brittany Williams were both saved by the courageous efforts of people around them who stepped in to perform CPR.

Women need CPR, too!

Women need CPR, too

More people are surviving cardiac arrests, but not women. Unfounded fears and myths contribute to women being less likely than men to receive the lifesaving CPR they need.

Women are less likely to receive CPR

(American Heart Association)

What if you needed CPR but no one nearby would help? Women who have a cardiac arrest are often less likely to receive CPR from bystanders. There are many reasons why.

CPR Saved My Life – Stories from the Class of Survivors