Bystanders are less likely to perform life-saving CPR on women due to concerns they will be accused of sexual assault, research suggests.

In one trial, scientists discovered many passers-by are reluctant to resuscitate an unconscious woman out of fear of inappropriate contact.

Separate research also found bystanders are less likely to perform CPR on collapsed females in a virtual-reality setting.

'It is important to realise that CPR is lifesaving and should be rendered to collapsed individuals regardless of gender, race or ethnicity,' lead author of the first study Dr Sarah Perman, from the University of Colorado, said.

Bystanders are less likely to perform CPR on women due to concerns about inappropriate contact. In a study of more than 50 people, scientists discovered many may be reluctant to resuscitate an unconscious woman out of fear of being accused of sexual assault (stock)

In the first study, researchers asked 54 people online why women who suffer a cardiac arrest in public may be less likely to get CPR.

This came about after previous research suggested women receive CPR in a out-of-hospital stetting less than men.

Around 60 per cent of the respondents were male and 85 per cent white. And almost three in 10 had been CPR trained.

The respondents blamed inappropriate touching or exposure, as well as a fear of being accused of sexual assault, for their reluctance to resuscitate a woman.

Fear of causing an injury, thinking women may be 'faking it' and even believing breasts stop CPR from being effective were also noted.

HOW TO GIVE CPR Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can be used to try to restart someone's heart if it has stopped. CPR should only be used in an emergency situation if someone is unconscious and not breathing. People without CPR training should stick to hands-only chest compressions, the NHS says. To carry out a chest compression: Place the heel of your hand on the breastbone at the centre of the person’s chest. Place your other hand on top of your first hand and interlock your fingers. Position yourself with your shoulders above your hands. Using your body weight (not just your arms), press straight down by 5-6cm (2-2.5 inches) on their chest. Keeping your hands on their chest, release the compression and allow the chest to return to its original position. Repeat these compressions at a rate of 100 to 120 times per minute until an ambulance arrives or you become exhausted. Source: NHS Advertisement

Men were twice as likely to be concerned about inappropriate touching than the female respondents, who were more worried about causing an injury.

The researchers have expanded the survey and have a manuscript under review that details public perceptions of CPR.

They are also planning to work with CPR training sites to counteract fears about issuing the emergency procedure to women.

'The consequences of all of these major themes is that women will potentially receive no CPR or delays in initiation of CPR,' Dr Perman said.

Although the study was small, the researchers believe it may highlight an important challenge facing public health.

'Bystander CPR has been linked to better survival and neurologic recovery after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest,' Dr Perman said.

'Quality chest compressions require that rescuers put their hands on the chest and push hard - regardless of [the recipient's] gender, the act of CPR is no different.'

In the second trial, researchers from the University of Pennsylvania's Center for Resuscitation Science tested bystanders' response to cardiac arrest using virtual reality.

Because it happens suddenly, real-world cardiac arrest is hard to study, according to lead author and centre director Marion Leary.

This trial's 75 adults volunteers were placed in a virtual environment made up of a busy city. They were asked to respond to events as they would in real life.

Cardiac arrest is the sudden loss of blood flow due to the heart failing to pump effectively. More than 350,000 cases occur in the US and around 30,000 in the UK every year (stock)

After someone cried for help, a mannequin was placed so participants could perform CPR and attach an AED.

An AED is a portable device that checks the heart's rhythm. If needed, it can send an electric shock to the organ to try and restore a normal beat.

WHAT IS A CARDIAC ARREST? A cardiac arrest occurs when the heart suddenly stops pumping blood around the body, which is usually due to a problem with electrical signals in the organ. This causes the brain to be starved of oxygen, which results in sufferers not breathing and losing consciousness. In the UK, more than 30,000 cardiac arrests occur a year outside of hospital, compared to over 356,000 in the US. Cardiac arrests are different to heart attacks, with the latter occurring when blood supply to the heart muscle is cut off due to a clot in one of the coronary arteries. Common causes include heart attacks, heart disease and heart muscle inflammation. Drug overdose and losing a large amount of blood can also be to blame. Giving an electric shock through the chest wall via a defibrillator can start the heart again. In the meantime, CPR can keep oxygen circulating around the body. Advertisement

Results showed the participants performed CPR and used an AED less on the virtual-reality females than the males.

The researchers add, however, bigger studies are required to determine if this was a coincidence or part of a larger trend.

Both studies are being presented at the American Heart Association's Resuscitation Science Symposium in Chicago.

'If you see someone collapse, call 911, begin CPR, and if there is an AED around, use it,' Ms Leary said.

'Doing something is better than doing nothing. You have the power to help save someone's life.'

Cardiac arrest is the sudden loss of blood flow due to the heart failing to pump effectively.

More than 350,000 cases occur in the US and in the region of 30,000 in the UK every year.

Although less than 12 per cent of sufferers survive, CPR can double or even triple a victim's chances of pulling through.

This comes after research released last month found almost one in three people would not perform CPR if someone's heart stopped in the street.

A survey by the British Heart Foundation found only 70 per cent of people would try to resuscitate someone if they saw them collapse.