Female manikins are being used during CPR lessons to dispel myths and taboos about giving women life-saving treatment.

In the past, flat-chested manikins were typically used in training, but Beccles Women’s Institute and East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) ran sessions with models that were representative of the female body to help eliminate hesitations when giving aid.

Josh Lawrence, of the EAAA, said women were 27% less likely to receive CPR from a passerby, and the main problem was when a defibrillator was needed.

Carol Wood from the Beccles Women’s Institute, said: “I think it’s really important that men, under certain circumstances, know it’s OK to lose a bra to save a life.”