Onslow Memo­r­i­al Hos­pi­tal Pur­chas­es First Female Manikin to Advance Life­sav­ing CPR Education

Onslow Memorial Hospital (OMH) is proud to announce the purchase of a female CPR manikin, marking a significant milestone in advancing lifesaving CPR education for hospital staff and the Onslow County community. This initiative directly addresses a long-standing disparity in which women are less likely to receive bystander CPR due to misconceptions and discomfort. By integrating a female manikin into its curriculum, OMH is breaking down barriers and setting a new standard for inclusive, realistic CPR training.

Multiple studies indicate that women who suffer out-of-hospital cardiac arrest are less likely to receive life-saving CPR, often because bystanders fear causing inappropriate contact, sexual assault allegations, or accidental injury. These disparities have prompted legislative action in states like Illinois, where proposed bills call for the mandatory use of female manikins in high school CPR training to close the gender gap in emergency response.

OMH continues to champion out-of-hospital CPR by removing barriers to action. The hospital promotes Hands-Only CPR, eliminating the need for mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, and now, with the introduction of a female manikin, encourages greater confidence and willingness among bystanders to assist women in cardiac emergencies.

“We are excited about this addition and what this means for our community, especially for improving survival rates among women experiencing cardiac events,” says Nancy Pate, Emergency Department Nurse Educator. “By leading these initiatives, we empower our community with the knowledge and confidence needed to save lives.”

The hospital remains steadfast in its mission to ensure that every individual in Onslow County receives the best chance at survival during cardiac emergencies by offering free Hands-Only CPR training to the community. These educational opportunities are designed for non-clinical individuals and aim to equip as many people as possible with vital, life-saving skills. To schedule a training session, email HandOnlyCPR@onslow.org.