Abstract Su401: Confidence in performing CPR after training with traditional and female-breasted manikins

Introduction: Studies have documented that females experiencing an OHCA are significantly less likely to receive cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) than males in public locations. Reasons for this disparity include bystanders fear of being perceived as sexualizing or assaulting females during CPR, concerns about physically injuring females, or low confidence in rendering CPR on females. This pilot study aimed to assess the confidence of CPR trainees who were trained on both traditional and female-breasted manikins. Methods: Participants were enrolled at a community bystander CPR training for teachers at an urban public school in 2024. Participants who consented to participate in the study were asked to complete surveys. All participants received a didactic on hands-only CPR, followed by two sets of hands-on practice, first with a traditional manikin, and then with a female-breasted manikin or vice versa. Results: Of the 112 participants enrolled in the study, 88.4% were women, and 14% were >50 years of age. The sample was almost all White participants, with high education status (88.4% with a Master’s or college education). The majority (86.6%) had prior CPR training, but most of them reported receiving training more than a year ago. After the two sets of practice (one with traditional manikin, and one with female manikin), 84.7% felt confident to perform CPR on both males and females, while 9.9% felt more confident to perform CPR on female and 5.4% on male. Men and women (84.6% and 84.7%, respectively) felt equally confident in performing CPR on both males and females. Although 28.4% felt either ‘slightly uncomfortable’ or ‘very uncomfortable’ with use of the female manikin, after practicing on a female manikin, 81.6% felt more comfortable with doing CPR on women (11.1% still felt uncomfortable and 7.3% were neutral). When asked which manikin made them feel more confident in performing CPR, 70.9% reported both, while 7.2% said neither, 10% said female manikin and 11.8% selected traditional manikin. 70% of women and 75% of men selected both manikins. Conclusion: Training with both types of anatomically accurate manikins is important in improving confidence of community lay responders in performing CPR and reducing community level gender disparities. Future analysis will evaluate change in confidence with each manikin type and assess confidence and knowledge retention 6 months after the training.