Illinois Bill Seeks to Close Gender Gap in CPR Training

Legislation in Illinois aims to address significant gender disparities in bystander CPR training. The proposed House Bill 4788, sponsored by Rep. Maura Hirschauer, seeks to normalize CPR practices for women by requiring the use of female manikins in secondary school training programs. Research has indicated that women are 27% less likely than men to receive bystander CPR, a discrepancy largely attributed to hesitancy among potential rescuers due to fears of inappropriate touching and related accusations.

The initiative originated from Ashlynn Goldstein, a senior at Naperville High School, who identified the lack of representation in CPR training materials during her capstone project. “I had been CPR certified a lot of times — never in my life had I ever encountered a female manikin,” Goldstein noted. Her project explored the reasons behind the existing disparities in CPR performance and the inadequacies in current training statutes. Goldstein collaborated with her teacher to draft the bill and presented it to legislators, leading to its introduction in the Illinois General Assembly.

Details of the Proposed Legislation

House Bill 4788 is currently assigned to the Education Policy Committee. If passed, it mandates that secondary schools provide CPR training using at least one female manikin for every two male manikins, starting in the 2028-29 academic year. Hirschauer emphasized the importance of early education in combating gender stereotypes associated with CPR. “It felt like a really good way to capture a lot of people, and then a really good way to break down the stigma of CPR on a female if we’re starting young,” she explained.

The bill has gained additional support with the co-sponsorship of State Rep. Katie Stuart. Goldstein sees it as an opportunity to train the next generation of adults, who will inevitably enter the workforce and encounter situations requiring CPR. Currently, 40 states and the District of Columbia mandate CPR training in schools, but none specify the inclusion of female manikins.

Recent research published in the American Heart Association Journal highlights the benefits of using female manikins in training. A study involving 112 participants found that while 28.4% initially felt uncomfortable using female manikins, 81.6% reported increased confidence after practice. This suggests that incorporating female anatomy into training can help dispel misconceptions and encourage more individuals to perform CPR on women.

Challenges and Considerations

Despite the potential benefits of the bill, it faces challenges. The Illinois Principals Association has expressed concerns about the financial implications for schools, particularly in light of past experiences with similar legislation. Lauren’s Law, enacted in 2008, mandated CPR training in high schools but did not allocate funding for compliance, leaving wealthier districts better equipped to meet the requirements.

To address these financial hurdles, Illinois Heart Rescue, an organization dedicated to improving cardiac arrest outcomes, has already begun incorporating female manikins into its training programs. Executive Director Courtney Schwerin O’Reilly stated, “We made the decision as a program to use breasted manikins in all of our classes. It was mildly controversial, but it was important to me that we had that representation.”

Goldstein has taken the cost concerns into account in her bill. Instead of mandating the purchase of new female manikins, which can cost around $800, the legislation allows schools to utilize chest covers for existing manikins, priced between $14 and $18.

Industry response is beginning to shift as well. WorldPoint, a major distributor of CPR training equipment, has developed innovative manikins that can transition between male, female, and child forms, available in various skin tones. Executive Vice President Shelly Amato emphasized, “It shouldn’t be an add-on… It should be standard.”

The hope is that if the Illinois legislature passes this bill, it could serve as a model for other states. Goldstein envisions its impact reaching beyond state lines, inspiring broader changes in CPR training practices nationwide. “My hope is, honestly, for other states to take inspiration from that,” she remarked.

As discussions continue, the focus remains on ensuring equitable access to lifesaving training and fostering confidence among all individuals, regardless of gender, to act in emergency situations.