Researchers warn women are dying because claims of sexual touching deter fellas from giving breaths and chest compressions.
Women are less likely to perform the procedure for fear of causing injury and both sexes wrongly think breasts will get in the way.
Previous studies have shown women who suffer out of hospital cardiac arrest receive CPR less frequently than men.
Giving prompt CPR when the electrics of the heart malfunction in this way can double survival chances from 12 to 24 per cent.
Dr Sarah Perman, from the University of Colorado, quizzed 54 people on the reasons why they would not give the lifesaving first aid.
Responses included “fear of being accused of sexual assault”, “potential inappropriate touching or exposure” and “fear of causing physical injury”.
Worries about sexual assault or inappropriate touching were cited twice as often by men. Women were more concerned about injuries.
Others said “breasts make CPR more challenging” and “women may be overdramatising or ‘faking’ an incident”.
Dr Perman said: “The consequences of all of these major themes is that women will potentially receive no CPR or delays in initiation of CPR.
“While these are actual fears the public holds, it is important to realise that CPR is lifesaving and should be rendered to collapsed individuals regardless of gender, race or ethnicity.”
She added: “Bystander CPR has been linked to better survival and neurologic recovery after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
“Quality chest compressions require that rescuers put their hands on the chest and push hard. Regardless of the recipient’s gender, the act of CPR is no different.”
The findings were presented at the American Heart Association’s Resuscitation Science Symposium in Chicago.
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