A study by Duke University in the United States, which analyzed more than 309,000 cases of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, found that women are 14% less likely to receive CPR in public than men.
Among the reasons cited by researchers and surveys are fear of touching their breasts, concern about causing harm, or even fear of being accused of inappropriate conduct.
Experts warn that this hesitation can cost lives, since quick intervention by a witness can double or triple the chances of survival.