How you can be prepared to help anyone, anywhere
Too few women receive CPR in public — and CPR training for women can change that. When someone collapses, your actions in the next few seconds could be the difference between life and death. But here’s the uncomfortable truth: women are significantly less likely to receive bystander CPR than men — and this inequality is costing lives.
At White Cross Training, we’re on a mission to change that. We deliver inclusive and practical training using realistic manikins and open discussion, so you feel prepared to save anyone’s life — without hesitation.
Why Women Often Miss Out on CPR: Closing the Confidence Gap
Studies show that women are around 30% less likely to receive CPR from a bystander if they collapse in public. Reasons include:
- Fear of touching the chest
- Uncertainty about removing clothing or bras
- Misconceptions that women don’t have heart attacks
- Lack of training with manikins that reflect women’s bodies
We believe the solution lies in practical, inclusive, and empowering instruction that prepares you to act — no matter who needs help.
Using a Defibrillator on Women: “Bra Off, Defib On”
When using an AED, pads must be placed directly on bare skin. That means removing bras — especially those with metal — to allow the shock to work. This step causes hesitation, especially when the casualty is female.
The #BraOffDefibOn campaign is raising awareness and encouraging confident action. In our courses, we address this head-on with demonstrations and discussion, so learners know exactly what to do and why.
Faith, Modesty & CPR: Inclusive Training for All Women
In some faith communities, modesty is a key value — but so is the preservation of life. In Islam, for example, scholars agree that saving a life takes precedence over modesty rules.
“Whoever saves a life, it is as if he had saved all of mankind.” — Qur’an 5:32
That means it’s permissible to remove or adjust clothing for AED use or chest compressions in emergencies — whether the responder is male or female. If modesty can be preserved, it should be. But if not, acting to save a life is the priority.
Similar values exist across other faiths including Christianity, Judaism, Sikhism, and Hinduism. Our courses are designed to support learners of all backgrounds with inclusive instruction and open conversations.
Our Inclusive, Hands-On Approach to First Aid
We’ve designed our first aid courses to reflect real-life situations. That means:
- We use manikins with realistic female and male anatomy
- We discuss modesty, cultural sensitivity, and confidence
- We provide a safe space where learners can ask anything
- We build real, usable skills — not just tick-box knowledge
Whether you’re in a workplace, school or faith group, our sessions help your team act with confidence in a real emergency.
Hands-On CPR Training in Devon & Cornwall
Our family-run team is trusted across Devon and Cornwall for delivering first aid training that’s practical, respectful, and inclusive.
- 📍 Courses available across Devon and Cornwall
- 👨👩👧👦 Trusted by schools, businesses, charities & community groups
- 🔗 View our First Aid Courses
- 📞 Contact us to book or ask a question