About us.

Changing hesitation into action.

They’re Boobies. Not Barriers Women Need CPR Too. began with a simple but urgent reality: women experiencing an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in a public place are less likely than men to receive bystander CPR or have an AED applied.

Created by the National Institute of First Aid Trainers, this campaign exists to challenge the barriers that prevent people from acting through education, awareness and practical action.

As first aid educators, we’ve seen the hesitation, uncertainty and discomfort that can stop someone from stepping forward when every second counts. Whether it’s fear of touching a woman’s chest, uncertainty about breast anatomy, or concern about doing the wrong thing, these barriers can delay lifesaving treatment.

We believe a woman’s chest should never be a barrier to receiving CPR or defibrillation.

By raising awareness, challenging misconceptions and building confidence, we’re working to ensure women receive the same opportunity for lifesaving intervention as men.

OUR MISSION.

Our mission is to help ensure women receive bystander CPR and defibrillation at the same rate as men.

We achieve this by:

  • Raising awareness of the gender gap in public-place bystander CPR and AED use.
  • Normalising chest and breast contact during CPR and defibrillation.
  • Challenging misconceptions, unconscious bias and fear that prevent people from acting.
  • Empowering bystanders to act confidently and without hesitation.
  • Supporting first aid trainers and educators to address this issue openly.
  • Promoting consistent, evidence-based CPR education across Australia.

Our Mission

Our mission is to help ensure women receive bystander CPR and defibrillation at the same rate as men.

We achieve this by:

  • Raising awareness of the gender gap in public-place bystander CPR and AED use.
  • Normalising chest and breast contact during CPR and defibrillation.
  • Challenging misconceptions, unconscious bias and fear that prevent people from acting.
  • Empowering bystanders to act confidently and without hesitation.
  • Supporting first aid trainers and educators to address this issue openly.
  • Promoting consistent, evidence-based CPR education across Australia.

Brought to you by
The National Institute of First Aid Trainers
www.nifat.com.au