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Here’s another mannequin challenge.
Behold, The Womanikin, a new CPR dummy made by New York ad agency JOAN Creative and the United State of Women organization. It comes with detachable fabric breasts so people can practice giving CPR on a woman.
Women are 27% less likely than men to receive CPR if they go into cardiac arrest in public, according to a 2017 study by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania.
One theory for that disparity: People are nervous about touching a female’s chest. What’s more, heart disease causes one in every three deaths for both men and women, and remains the leading cause of death in both sexes.
“Why are we still learning CPR on male torsos? This is outdated, and could have real consequences,” the United State of Women wrote in an Instagram FB, +2.98% post. “It’s time to update the education process, get people used to performing CPR on people with breasts, and drive equality in cardiac intervention.”
JOAN and the United State of Women did not immediately return a request for comment.
’It’s time to update the education process, get people used to performing CPR on people with breasts, and drive equality in cardiac intervention.’
The creators hope to have CPR trainees use the Womanikin in certification classes around the country by the end of next year, CNN reported. It’s unclear how much it will actually cost consumers, but those who want to make one themselves can follow instructions on the womanikin website.
More than 12 million people are trained in CPR annually, according to the American Heart Association. And while CPR (Cardiopulmonary resuscitation) — the procedure that combines chest compressions with stimulating respiration to get someone breathing again — dates back to 1740, most Americans today don’t know how to perform it.
Womanikin’s website tries to help, making it more female-friendly.
“When performing chest compressions, locate the end of the person’s breastbone where their ribs come together. Place the heel of one hand two inches from the breastbone, closest to the person’s face. Place the free hand on top of the other, interlocking your fingers. Yes, this will mean you are touching her breast. Don’t worry. You might save her life.”
‘Place the free hand on top of the other, interlocking your fingers. Yes, this will mean you are touching her breast. Don’t worry. You might save her life.’
Doctors seem to be getting behind the Womaninkin effort, saying it could actually raise awareness among men and women to learn CPR.
“The concept is excellent for two reasons: it will help increase adoption of CPR in women, but also aid in reducing gender bias regarding heart disease in women,” Dr. Robert Glatter, an emergency physician at Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan told MarketWatch.
“It may also help promote more men to perform CPR in women, in the case of hesitance related to contacting the breast,” he added. “When performed properly, the position of the hands would typically involve contacting the breast.”
The Womanikin won a grant this year to enable the manufacturers to create more and distribute the dummies across schools in the U.S. They are also accepting donations. A GoFundMe page for the Womanikin has raised $1,510 with a $3,800 goal.
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