The lifesaving charity is asking the public to remember a simple message: ‘Don’t let a bra be a barrier to saving a life’.

Supporting the campaign is cardiac arrest survivor Helen Warren, whose life was saved because strangers acted immediately when she collapsed at Gatwick Airport in 2025.

The 68-year-old retired primary school teacher was walking to her departure gate for a holiday flight when she suddenly suffered a cardiac arrest. Thankfully, two retired nurses recognised what was happening and began CPR without hesitation. Airport staff quickly took over chest compressions, used a defibrillator and were joined by Gatwick Airport's Rescue and Firefighting Service before the KSS critical care team arrived.

Following treatment and specialist care, Helen has made a remarkable recovery, completing cardiac rehabilitation and returning to the gym and the active lifestyle she enjoyed before her cardiac arrest.

Speaking at the charity’s airbase at Redhill, Surrey, Helen said: "Without the people who stepped in to help me that day, I wouldn't be here. I was shocked to learn that women are less likely to receive CPR from members of the public. In my case, two women recognised what was happening and acted immediately.

"Every single person in the chain of survival played a role in saving my life. If sharing my story helps even one person feel confident enough to step forward and give CPR, it will be worth it."

New research commissioned by KSS suggests that concerns about touching or exposing a woman’s chest could cause some bystanders to hesitate before providing lifesaving CPR or using a defibrillator when every second counts for survival.

The survey found:

• 43% of respondents said concerns about touching a woman’s chest or clothing would make them hesitate before starting CPR

• 56% of men said these concerns about touching a woman’s chest or clothing would make them hesitate before starting CPR, compared with 30% of women
• Half of men (50%) surveyed said they would feel uncomfortable removing a woman’s bra to position defibrillator pads, compared with 28% of women
• Nearly two thirds of all respondents (62%) were unaware that women are less likely than men to receive bystander CPR following a cardiac arrest

Supporting the awareness raising activity is KSS Ambassador, GP and broadcaster Dr Hilary Jones MBE, who is encouraging more people to learn CPR and feel confident taking immediate action when someone suffers a cardiac arrest.

Dr Hilary said: "These findings are deeply concerning because they suggest that feeling uncomfortable may prevent some people from taking action in a life-threatening emergency.

"Cardiac arrest causes the patient to stop breathing and the heart to stop pumping blood around the body. Without immediate CPR and defibrillation, a person's chances of survival fall rapidly with every passing minute. The priority must always be preserving life, not worrying about social discomfort.

"Most people will never face a cardiac arrest situation, which is why education and awareness are so important. The more familiar people are with CPR and defibrillators, the more likely they are to respond with confidence when it really matters.

"If someone collapses and is not breathing normally, don't hesitate. Call 999, start CPR and use a defibrillator. Acting immediately could save a life."

"Every single person in the chain of survival played a role in saving my life. If sharing my story helps even one person feel confident enough to step forward and give CPR, it will be worth it."

Lynsey Grant, Paramedic and Prevention Lead at KSS, who was part of the KSS crew that treated and cared for Helen said: "Our research highlights a worrying lack of confidence when it comes to helping women in cardiac arrest. Many people told us that concerns about touching a woman's chest or clothing could make them hesitate before taking action in an emergency. Over half of the men we surveyed said they would hesitate before starting CPR because of these concerns, while half said they would feel uncomfortable removing a bra so a defibrillator could be used correctly.

"These findings matter because they reflect a real and recognised issue. We already know that women are less likely to receive bystander CPR than men, with previous research showing that 68% of women receive CPR compared with 73% of men*.

“Cardiac arrest doesn’t discriminate, and CPR shouldn’t either. Everyone deserves the same chance of survival, regardless of their gender.

“Research from St John Ambulance has also found that a third of men worry they could be accused of inappropriate touching when giving chest compressions to a woman, highlighting the need for greater public awareness and confidence."

"When someone's heart stops, every second counts. Worrying about touching, undressing or exposing someone's chest can create a delay that could ultimately cost a life. CPR is exactly the same whether the casualty is a man or a woman, and if a defibrillator is needed, clothing will need to be moved or removed so the pads can be placed correctly direct onto the skin.

"Helen's story is such a powerful reminder of why immediate action is so important. She is alive today because the people around her recognised what was happening and stepped in without hesitation. A bra should never be a barrier to saving a life. In a cardiac arrest, doing something is always better than doing nothing."

Lynsey concluded: "You don't have to be a healthcare professional to save a life. Anyone can learn how to give CPR and how to use a defibrillator. If more people feel confident to step forward and help in an emergency, more lives can be saved."

KSS is encouraging people to visit its website to access free on-demand CPR training and is asking individuals, community groups, workplaces and organisations to help spread awareness and support local CPR and defibrillator training initiatives.

As part of Restart a Heart Day, KSS will be working with communities across Kent, Surrey and Sussex throughout October and beyond to help more people gain the confidence and skills needed to respond in an emergency. Activities include CPR awareness events at Gatwick Airport on Monday 12 October and Bluewater Shopping Centre on Saturday 17 October, where members of the public can learn CPR and how to use a defibrillator.

For more information about FREE CPR and defibrillator training, visit the KSS Restart a Heart Day page.