Why Women Get Less CPR: Gail Gould Appears on Houston Life
- GAIL GOULD
- Sep 16
- 2 min read
When someone suddenly collapses, every second matters. Performing CPR can mean the difference between life and death. Yet research shows a staggering gap: men are 26 percent more likely than women to receive CPR in an emergency.
I recently joined Derrick and Tessa on KPRC 2 Houston Life to talk about this issue and demonstrate lifesaving techniques anyone can learn.
During the segment, we discussed a surprising and alarming truth. Women are less likely to get CPR because bystanders hesitate. Many people worry about touching a woman’s chest area inappropriately, even when seconds count and CPR could save her life.
As I explained on-air: “Women are less likely to receive CPR because people are afraid of touching a woman inappropriately. The chest area is where we’re going to be doing the compressions, and that hesitation can cost lives.”
This fear of doing the wrong thing leads to inaction, but inaction can be deadly. It is a reality we must address by normalizing conversations about CPR and ensuring people know that saving a life always comes first.
Hands-Only CPR Saves Lives
On Houston Life, I demonstrated hands-only CPR, a technique anyone can perform, even without medical training.
The steps are simple:
Call 911 immediately.
Push hard and fast in the center of the chest at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute.
Do not stop until professional help arrives or an AED is available.
Knowing how to respond in an emergency could mean the difference between life and death. When someone suddenly collapses or stops breathing, every second matters. As I explainedon the show, hands-only CPR buys time until emergency responders arrive. That time can make the difference between survival and loss.
What to Do If Someone Is Choking
Choking is another emergency where quick action matters. During my demonstration, I explained how to perform abdominal thrusts:
Stand behind the person.
Wrap your arms around their waist.
Make a fist and place it just above their belly button.
Deliver quick, upward thrusts until the airway is clear.
These simple steps can restore breathing and prevent tragedy.
Training More People to Respond
CPR is not a skill reserved for medical professionals. Anyone can learn it, and more people should. Just in the past ten days, I trained more than 200 people in CPR. That is 200 people now equipped to step in when someone collapses. The more people trained, the safer our schools, workplaces, and communities become.
Be the Person Who Knows What to Do
Emergencies happen every day. Whether it is sudden cardiac arrest, choking, or another crisis, you can be the difference between life and death. Learning CPR and AED use gives you confidence and ensures that hesitation does not cost someone their life. When more people are trained, everyone has a better chance of survival.
If you are ready to bring CPR training to your workplace, school, or organization, reach out to schedule a class.
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