Evaluating CPR Breast Attachment Impact on EMT Training: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Males have higher odds of receiving bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (B-CPR) and surviving out-of-hospital cardiac arrest compared with females. Studies suggest that concerns about breast exposure, causing injury, or being accused of sexual harassment may contribute to gender disparities in B-CPR. This study examines whether using the ReviveHer breast attachment during CPR training impacts Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) students' willingness, comfort, confidence, and concerns when performing CPR on breasted and nonbreasted individuals.

EMT students at North Seattle College participated in a 2-day CPR training and completed pre- and posttraining surveys assessing participants' willingness, confidence, and concerns specific to providing CPR to breasted and nonbreasted individuals. Participants were randomized into control or experimental groups. The control group used standard flat-chested manikins, whereas the experimental group trained with the ReviveHer breast attachment.

The experimental group showed significantly increased willingness to initiate CPR across all body types and settings: breasted public (P = 0.011), breasted private (P = 0.015), nonbreasted public (P = 0.009), and nonbreasted private (P = 0.024). They also reported greater comfort in unclothing a breasted body in a private setting to perform CPR (P = 0.017), increased confidence in providing compressions to an unclothed breasted body (P = 0.043), and decreased fear of sexual harassment accusations (P = 0.044).

Incorporating the ReviveHer breast attachment into CPR training enhances EMT students' preparedness to administer CPR to both breasted and nonbreasted individuals. It increases comfort and confidence while reducing concerns related to social and legal repercussions, potentially addressing key barriers to equitable B-CPR delivery.