#NoBraNoBarrier Makes The BBC

Women are less likely to be defibrillated. #NoBraNoBarrier is tackling the stigma- now featured on BBC Radio Kent and BBC News.

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#NoBraNoBarrier Challenges the Stigma Around Defibrillating Women

The #NoBraNoBarrier campaign, led by Defib Supplies in collaboration with Jenny Legg the founder charity Bra Off, Defib On, is now making national headlines. After speaking on BBC Radio Kent, the campaign is set to feature on BBC News, shining a light on a life threatening issue that has gone unspoken for too long, women are far less likely to receive CPR or defibrillation in a cardiac arrest.

We are breaking that silence. And we’re doing it with facts, training, and real stories from the public.

Why We Launched #NoBraNoBarrier

Studies have shown that women in cardiac arrest are up to 27% less likely to receive bystander CPR or have an AED used on them compared to men. The reasons often come down to social discomfort, particularly the idea of removing a woman’s bra or exposing her chest to apply defibrillator pads.

This hesitation is dangerous. Bras, especially those with underwires or firm structures, can interfere with proper pad placement, reducing the effectiveness of the shock or preventing it entirely.

This is why the #NoBraNoBarrier campaign exists, to educate the public, empower women, and eliminate stigma around defibrillating female casualties.

Learn more about defibrillating a woman in an emergency

BBC Radio Kent Interview: Taking the Message to the Airwaves

Our campaign gained powerful momentum after gaining over 10,000 views on social media, we were then invited to BBC Radio Kent, where we spoke with Dominic King about why women are being left behind in life-saving situations.

We shared that:

BBC Radio Kent

 

  • 2 in 3 bystanders hesitate to perform CPR on a woman

  • Most training courses avoid teaching pad placement on a female body

  • People are still unsure whether removing a bra is acceptable during a cardiac emergency

We made it clear: There is no time to hesitate. A bra should never stop someone from receiving defibrillation.

You can catch the segment from 10:14am on BBC Sounds!

Real Stories from the Public

Since launching the campaign, we’ve received powerful messages from people across the UK. One story that stood out came from a teacher who found herself in a life-or-death situation. When a colleague collapsed in cardiac arrest, she used classroom scissors to cut through the bra and apply the defibrillator pads correctly.

Her quick thinking, and willingness to act without hesitation, helped save that woman’s life.

These are the moments that #NoBraNoBarrier is designed to support: people doing the right thing, quickly and confidently.

The Pledge That’s Removing Doubt

Central to the campaign is our #NoBraNoBarrier pledge. This gives women the opportunity to make their wishes clear:

“If I suffer a cardiac arrest, I want my bra removed so that defibrillator pads can be applied correctly.”

It also gives everyone a chance to pledge that they would remove a bra if they needed to save someone in sudden cardiac arrest. In the chaos of an emergency, there is no time to ask. The pledge provides public support for emergency responders, helping remove uncertainty and replace it with clarity and action.

Take the pledge and share your voice!

Supporting the Campaign with Action: AED Donation to Ebbsfleet FC

To launch the campaign, Defib Supplies donated a Progetti Rescue SAM defibrillator to Ebbsfleet FC Women’s Team, helping to protect players, staff, and supporters at their training ground.

Alongside this, players were trained in female-focused first aid, led by Jenny Legg, founder of Bra Off, Defib On. The training included hands-on practice in responding to women in cardiac arrest, including removing bras and ensuring pads were placed correctly.

This kind of training is rare, but it shouldn’t be. #NoBraNoBarrier is working to change that.

Coming Soon! BBC News Feature

We are proud to share that the campaign will soon feature on BBC South East News, expanding our reach to a wider audience and helping to push the conversation even further.

We’ll be discussing the gender gap in defibrillation, the urgent need for inclusive training, and the lifesaving potential of pledging ahead of time. The coverage will also spotlight our work with Ebbsfleet FC and feature powerful visuals from the team’s training sessions.

Stay updated by visiting our news and resources page.

Get Involved in #NoBraNoBarrier

Whether you’re a business, sports team, healthcare provider, or simply someone who wants to help, here’s how you can support the campaign:

The #NoBraNoBarrier campaign is about more than raising awareness. It’s about taking real steps to save lives.

Thanks to support from Ebbsfleet FC, the voice of the public, and national media coverage, the campaign is already making an impact, but we’re not stopping here. Together, we can change how the UK responds to women in cardiac arrest. Because every second counts, and no one should be left behind.

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