Man cut bra to save woman, urges CPR action

Peter McLauglin, a volunteer with St John Ambulance, has urged the public not to hesitate when performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) after he saved a 45-year-old woman who suffered a cardiac arrest at Kingston-upon-Thames Guildhall. Mr McLauglin performed CPR and called for a defibrillator, but found it necessary to cut off the woman's bra to correctly position the defibrillator pads.

Reflecting on his actions, Mr McLauglin stated that he had no alternative but to cut the bra to apply the pads. He explained that failing to do so would have resulted in a different outcome for the woman. He emphasised the importance of acting without delay and that in such emergencies, gender is not a consideration. He added that while he was raised to treat women with respect, saving a life requires overcoming any potential embarrassment.

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Charity Campaign Addresses Hesitation

Mr McLauglin's experience comes as St John Ambulance launches a new campaign aimed at reducing hesitation among the public, particularly men, in administering CPR to women. The charity has warned that this hesitation is contributing to preventable deaths, as women are less likely to receive CPR in public settings. Dr Lynn Thomas, medical director at St John Ambulance, noted that while fears are understandable, no one should be afraid to attempt to save a life, as every second is critical.

A survey conducted by Censuswide for St John Ambulance revealed that three in ten men would hesitate to perform CPR on a woman, citing concerns about accusations of inappropriate touching. One in five men also feared being filmed during the act. The survey highlights a significant barrier to providing immediate life-saving assistance.

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Nationally, approximately 40,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur each year in the UK. The survival rate for these incidents remains below ten percent. The campaign also features support from actor Nikki Sanderson, whose mother survived a cardiac arrest due to timely CPR.

It’s horrifying that so many people say they are less likely to help a woman in public, especially because they’re afraid about people filming and sharing it online. That woman could be someone’s mum, sister or daughter.

Nikki Sanderson, actor

St John Ambulance is encouraging people to overcome fear and embarrassment to provide assistance in life-or-death situations, stressing that taking action can significantly impact survival chances.