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Recording Free

Bra off, defib on: teaching defibrillation on female casualties

Thu 18 Jun 2026 19:30–20:28 BST 1 CPD hr

About this session

Survival rates for women in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest lag behind men's, and hesitation over removing clothing is a documented part of the gap.

This session covers what the evidence shows, and – more usefully for trainers – how to teach past the hesitation without turning it into an awkward aside at the end of the session.

You’ll leave able to

  • Explain why bystanders hesitate to defibrillate female casualties
  • Teach pad placement without avoiding the subject
  • Handle the question every mixed-gender group eventually asks

Your speaker

Dr Helen Marsh

Dr Helen Marsh

FAV editorial panel

Emergency medicine consultant and member of the FAV editorial panel. Placeholder bio – content team to supply.